Self-reported sensibility to bodily signals predicts individual differences in autobiographical memory: an...

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Psychology

Background:

• Autobiographical memory research increasingly considers the role of interoception, the perception of internal bodily states.
• However, empirical evidence directly linking interoceptive abilities to autobiographical memory processes is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically investigate the association between self-reported interoceptive sensibility and individual differences in autobiographical memory.
• To explore how interoception relates to the general experience of autobiographical memory and involuntary mental time travel.

Main Methods:

• Two correlational studies were conducted with large participant samples (N=247 and N=257).
• Standardized measures of interoception and autobiographical memory were administered.
• Analyses controlled for potential confounders including age, gender, trait affectivity, and well-being.

Main Results:

• Significant positive correlations were found between interoceptive sensibility and the general experience of autobiographical memory.
• Interoceptive sensibility was also positively correlated with the frequency of involuntary mental time travel.
• These associations remained robust after controlling for demographic and psychological variables.

Conclusions:

• Individuals' capacity to perceive and interpret bodily signals is significantly associated with their autobiographical memory experiences.
• These findings provide empirical support for theoretical links between interoception and autobiographical memory.
• The study lays groundwork for future research into the causal mechanisms underlying this relationship.