Exploring the role of interoception in autobiographical memory recollection

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Interoception, the perception of internal bodily signals, is crucial for bodily self-awareness.
• Autobiographical memory involves recalling personal life events and is fundamental to self-identity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between interoceptive sensibility and autobiographical memory processes.
• To determine if interoception influences the recall of personal memories, their characteristics, and emotional valence.

Main Methods:

• 41 healthy participants completed a modified Autobiographical Memory Test.
• Assessed memory specificity, vividness, emotional valence, and intensity for autobiographical and public memories.
• Measured interoceptive sensibility using a self-report questionnaire.

Main Results:

• Autobiographical memories were recalled with greater specificity, vividness, and emotional intensity than public memories.
• Participants with high interoceptive sensibility recalled more positive autobiographical events compared to public events.
• A positive correlation was observed between interoceptive sensibility and the positivity of recalled autobiographical memories.

Conclusions:

• Interoceptive sensibility plays a selective role in autobiographical memory recall.
• Bodily self-awareness, via interoception, supports adaptive emotion regulation during self-related memory retrieval.
• Findings highlight the integration of physiological signals in cognitive processes related to the self.