Dissecting Social Working Memory: Neural and Behavioral Evidence for Externally and Internally Oriented Components

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology
• Social Cognition

Background:

• Social working memory (SWM) is vital for social interactions but often viewed as a single entity.
• Existing research lacks a nuanced understanding of SWM's distinct functional components.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and test a dual-component model of SWM: externally oriented SWM (e-SWM) and internally oriented SWM (i-SWM).
• To investigate the neural correlates and functional roles of e-SWM and i-SWM in relation to empathy.

Main Methods:

• Participants performed tasks involving memorizing and ranking facial expressions (e-SWM) or personality traits (i-SWM).
• Neural activity was examined using fMRI, focusing on distinct brain regions and multivariate patterns.
• Partial least squares analyses linked brain activity to individual differences in affective and cognitive empathy.

Main Results:

• Distinct neural activations were observed: e-SWM engaged the postcentral and precentral gyri, while i-SWM activated the precuneus/posterior cingulate cortex and superior frontal gyrus.
• Multivariate activation patterns differed within the dorsal medial prefrontal cortex for e-SWM and i-SWM tasks.
• e-SWM activity correlated with affective empathy, whereas i-SWM activity correlated with cognitive empathy.

Conclusions:

• The findings support the proposed internal-external hypothesis of SWM, suggesting two independent components.
• Distinct brain processes underlie e-SWM and i-SWM, highlighting their specialized functional roles in social cognition and empathy.