Self-Reference Effect and Self-Reference Recollection Effect for Trait Adjectives in Amnestic Mild Cognitive...

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Gerontology

Background:

• The self-reference effect (SRE) enhances memory for self-related information, but its efficacy in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) is understudied.
• Self-referential encoding may improve episodic memory and recollection in aMCI.
• The influence of stimulus valence on SRE and the self-reference recollection effect (SRRE) remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the SRE and SRRE in individuals with aMCI compared to healthy older adults.
• To determine if self-referential encoding offers additional memory benefits beyond deep encoding in aMCI.
• To examine the role of stimulus valence in SRE and SRRE in aMCI.

Main Methods:

• The study included 20 individuals with aMCI and 30 healthy older adult controls.
• Participants underwent trait adjective word encoding in self-reference, semantic, or structural conditions.
• Memory recall was assessed using a recognition test.

Main Results:

• Healthy older adults exhibited a significant SRE.
• Individuals with aMCI did not show a specific benefit from self-referential encoding over semantic encoding.
• Neither group displayed effects of stimulus valence on SRE or SRRE.

Conclusions:

• Deep encoding strategies, including semantic encoding, can improve memory in aMCI.
• Self-referential encoding does not provide an additional memory advantage for individuals with aMCI.
• The findings suggest that the benefits of self-reference for memory are diminished in aMCI.