The self-reference memory bias is preceded by an other-reference bias in infancy

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• The self-reference effect is a well-documented memory bias where self-related information is recalled better.
• The developmental trajectory and emergence of the self-reference effect in early childhood remain less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the developmental emergence of the self-reference effect in human infants.
• To explore the relationship between the self-reference effect and the development of a self-concept.

Main Methods:

• 18-month-old infants were presented with objects assigned to themselves or another agent.
• Memory for objects was tested using visual recognition tasks.
• Mirror self-recognition was used as an index for the emergence of self-concept.

Main Results:

• Infants demonstrating self-recognition showed a self-reference effect, recalling self-assigned objects better.
• Infants not yet self-recognizing exhibited an 'other-reference effect,' recalling other-assigned objects better.
• These findings were independent of infant age or inhibitory control differences.

Conclusions:

• The self-reference effect emerges in conjunction with the development of self-concept in the second year of life.
• Prior to self-concept development, infants display an 'other-reference effect,' prioritizing information related to others.
• This suggests an early-life bias towards encoding information relevant to social interactions and external agents.