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The free-energy self: a predictive coding account of self-recognition
Matthew A J Apps1, Manos Tsakiris1
1Laboratory of Action and Body, Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway, University of London, UK.
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews
|February 19, 2013
Summary
Self-recognition involves distinguishing oneself from others. This study proposes a new theory integrating self-recognition with brain function, suggesting the self is a Bayesian representation influenced by sensory surprise.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Computational Psychiatry
Background:
- Self-recognition is crucial for self-awareness but lacks a unified theoretical framework within cortical function.
- Existing theories fail to explain the neural and computational mechanisms underlying self-recognition.
- A comprehensive model is needed to bridge self-recognition with global brain processing theories.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a theoretical account of the neural and computational basis of self-recognition.
- To embed this account within the free-energy principle of cortical function.
- To explain how the brain represents the self probabilistically.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing the free-energy principle as a framework for cortical function.
- Proposing a Bayesian approach where the body is represented as the most likely 'me'.
- Integrating hierarchical unimodal and multimodal processing with surprise minimization.
Main Results:
- Evidence suggests self-representation arises from integrating bottom-up surprise signals with top-down predictive processing.
- The model accounts for findings in psychological and neuroimaging studies of self-recognition.
- Demonstrates that self-representations are malleable, not fixed.
Conclusions:
- The proposed free-energy based model offers a compelling explanation for the neural basis of self-recognition.
- Self-recognition is understood as a probabilistic inference process within the brain.
- This framework highlights the dynamic and adaptable nature of self-representation.
Keywords:
BayesianBody ownershipEnfacementFace recognitionFree energyPrediction errorPredictive codingRubber hand illusionSelf-awarenessSelf-recognitionVoice recognitionMore Related Videos
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