Neurophysiological correlates of various mental perspectives

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science
• Psychology

Background:

• Consciousness is often viewed as an internal mental space.
• A new model proposes consciousness is defined by mental position and attention focus.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a mental space model of consciousness.
• To investigate neurophysiological correlates of different mental states (intrapersonal, extrapersonal, perspective taking) and attentional foci (self, object).

Main Methods:

• An electroencephalography (EEG) experiment was conducted with 16 subjects.
• Brain activity was measured using 64 electrodes during various mental tasks.
• Participants engaged in different mental positions and attentional foci.

Main Results:

• Internal mental locations showed increased alpha2 power compared to external ones, especially when focusing on an object.
• Empathic conditions exhibited increased alpha2 and beta2 power versus extrapersonal perspectives.
• Delta power was higher when attention focused on an object versus the self.

Conclusions:

• The study demonstrates significant neurophysiological differences between various mental locations and attentional foci.
• The proposed mental space model, including intra- and interpersonal foci, is physiologically relevant.
• These findings suggest basic brain processing mechanisms underlie different conscious states.