Event-related potential evidence for memory prioritization modulated by social labels
Kimiko Kato1, Kazuhito Yoshizaki
1Department of Psychology, Aichi Shukutoku University, Nagakute, Aichi, Japan.
Neuroreport
|July 22, 2026
Summary
Memory prioritization is enhanced by self-referential processing, with attention during encoding playing a key role. This self-prioritization effect, alongside a friend advantage, impacts recall performance.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Memory prioritization is influenced by social relevance.
- Understanding the neural mechanisms of self-referential memory enhancement is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if social labels modulate memory encoding via semantic activation.
- To determine if memory enhancement arises from semantic processing or attentional allocation.
Main Methods:
- Event-related potentials (ERPs) were used to index memory prioritization during encoding.
- Participants performed semantic categorization tasks involving 'self', 'friend', and 'irrelevant' categories.
- A surprise free-recall test assessed memory performance.
Main Results:
- Self-prioritization showed a larger P3b amplitude during encoding.
- Recall performance was highest for self-related items, followed by friend items.
- N400 attenuation was greater for self-related words in a task distinguishing self from non-self.
Conclusions:
- Self-prioritization and a friend advantage were observed in recall.
- Self-prioritization is more strongly linked to attentional allocation than semantic processing during encoding.
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