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Stimulus-specific Cortical Visual Evoked Potential Morphological Patterns
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Present and past selves: a steady-state visual evoked potentials approach to self-face processing.
I Kotlewska1, M J Wójcik1,2, M M Nowicka1
1Laboratory of Psychophysiology, Department of Neurophysiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, 3 Pasteur St., 02-093, Warsaw, Poland.
Scientific Reports
|November 29, 2017
Summary
Neural processing of self-face identity over time was investigated using steady-state visual evoked potentials (SSVEP). Present self-faces showed distinct neural responses compared to past self-faces, differentiating physical self-aspects.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
Background:
- The self-face holds a privileged position in visual processing.
- Investigating the self across time is crucial for understanding identity development.
- Changes in self-perception over the lifespan can be studied using facial stimuli.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore neural differences between present and past self-faces.
- To examine how visual stimulation type affects self-face processing.
- To determine if neural differentiation exists for physical self-aspects.
Main Methods:
- Steady-state visual evoked potentials (SSVEP) were recorded from 20 participants.
- Participants viewed flickering faces (present self, past self, other, unknown) and scrambled images.
- Stimulation involved identical (same image) and different (varied images) conditions.
Main Results:
- Faces generally elicited higher SSVEP than scrambled stimuli.
- Different stimulation enhanced SSVEP compared to identical stimulation for all stimuli.
- Present self-faces showed higher SSVEP than past self-faces, but only under different stimulation.
Conclusions:
- Neural differentiation exists between present and past self-faces.
- This differentiation is evident even without overt behavioral responses.
- The physical aspects of self-identity are neurally distinguishable over time.
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