Individual differences in cognitive control on self-referenced and other-referenced memory.
1Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research, and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via di San Salvi, 12, Complesso di San Salvi, Padiglione 26, 50135 Firenze, FI, Italy.
Consciousness and Cognition
|October 10, 2014
Summary
Cognitive control significantly impacts the self-reference effect (SRE). Dysfunctional control can lead to maladaptive memory biases, even in healthy individuals, by enhancing recall of negative self-referenced information.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Memory Research
Background:
- The self-reference effect (SRE) describes enhanced memory recall for self-referenced information compared to other-referenced information.
- Cognitive control mechanisms play a crucial role in memory regulation and retrieval processes.
- Individual differences in personality and affective states can influence cognitive processes and memory outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of cognitive control on the self-reference effect (SRE) after the initial encoding phase.
- To examine how the think/no-think (TNT) paradigm, combined with individual differences, modulates memory for self-referenced material.
- To determine if dysfunctional cognitive control can lead to maladaptive memory biases in a non-clinical population.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a modified think/no-think (TNT) paradigm to assess memory retrieval under conditions of cognitive control.
- Manipulated the encoding of self-referenced and other-referenced information.
- Measured memory recall performance and analyzed the impact of individual differences in personality and affective states.
Main Results:
- The self-reference effect (SRE) was significantly modulated by cognitive control interventions applied after encoding.
- Individuals with a high negative cognitive style exhibited an ironic enhancement of negative self-referenced memory recall.
- This ironic effect resulted in a 'maladaptive' SRE, where negative self-referenced information was better recalled than negative other-referenced information when suppression was attempted.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive control exerted after the encoding stage profoundly influences the self-reference effect (SRE).
- Dysfunctional cognitive control can transform the SRE into a maladaptive memory bias, even in individuals without clinical diagnoses.
- Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for comprehending memory regulation and potential memory biases in everyday cognition.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:20Understanding Self-Concept
478
The self-concept encompasses individuals' beliefs about themselves, structured through cognitive frameworks known as self-schemas. These schemas function as mental representations of specific traits or behaviors, influencing how self-relevant information is perceived, processed, and remembered. For example, individuals who are schematic for body weight are more likely to interpret routine experiences—such as dining out or shopping—through the lens of that trait. Conversely, those...
478
02:16Self-Schemas
24.8K
In general, a schema is a mental construct consisting of a cluster or collection of related concepts (Bartlett, 1932). There are many different types of schemata, and they all have one thing in common: schemata are a method of organizing information that allows the brain to work more efficiently. When a schema is activated, the brain makes immediate assumptions about the person or object being observed.
24.8K
01:24Strategies of Self-Presentation III: Self-Monitoring
432
Self-monitoring is a central construct in understanding individual differences in self-presentation strategies across social contexts. It refers to how individuals observe, regulate, and control their expressive behavior and self-presentation following situational cues. Self-monitoring reflects a person's sensitivity to social appropriateness and willingness to adapt behavior to fit varying interpersonal demands.High vs. Low Self-Monitoring IndividualsIndividuals high in self-monitoring are...
432
02:05Self-Presentation: Self-Monitoring and Self-Handicapping
36.1K
People can go to great lengths to protect their self-image and present themselves in ways that they want others to see them. Sociologist Erving Goffman presented the idea that a person is like an actor on a stage. Calling his theory dramaturgy, Goffman believed that we use “impression management” to present ourselves to others as we hope to be perceived. Each situation is a new scene, and individuals perform different roles depending on who is present (Goffman, 1959). Think about...
36.1K
01:25Self-Regulation
352
Self-regulation, also known as self-control, encompasses a range of cognitive and behavioral processes that allow individuals to adjust their internal states and outward actions to align with socially acceptable norms and long-term goals. It plays a fundamental role in adaptive functioning, from resisting impulsive behaviors to persisting through challenging tasks. While its benefits are widely recognized, self-regulation is not limitless. Muraven and Baumeister's theory posits that...
352
01:29Self-Serving Bias
348
Self-serving bias is a cognitive phenomenon in which individuals attribute positive outcomes to internal factors such as their abilities, intelligence, or effort while attributing negative outcomes to external circumstances. This cognitive distortion helps maintain self-esteem but can also impede objective self-assessment.Theoretical Explanations of Self-Serving BiasTwo primary theories explain the self-serving bias: the cognitive explanation and the motivational explanation.The cognitive...
348