The integration of sensations and mental experiences into a unified experience: A neuropsychological model for the sense of self

NEUROPSYCHOLOGIA

卷:159

Review

Johnstone, Brick¹  Cohen, Daniel²  Dennison, Andrew¹ 

[1] Shepherd Ctr, Atlanta, GA 30309 USA

[2] Univ Missouri, Dept Religious Studies, Columbia, MO 65211 USA

关键词: Self;    Sense of self;    Disorders of self;    Integration;    Right hemisphere association area;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2021.107939

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

A continued weakness in the cognitive neurosciences is the lack of a model to explain the phenomenological experience of the self. This article proposes a model that suggests that the right hemisphere association area integrates physical sensations and mental experiences into a unified experience (i.e., a sense of self) that is best conceptualized and understood as the subjective experience of mineness. This model presents a unifying framework for neurologic and psychiatric disorders of the self (i.e., dis-integrated sense of mineness), as well as a neuropsychological framework to explain several human characteristics and experiences. Research is reviewed that indicates the sense of self can be activated to serve as the neuropsychological foundation of self-integrated character traits such as empathy (i.e., experiencing other's thoughts/emotions as mine), and conversely, the inhibition of this integrative process which can serve as the foundation of selfless experiences such as transcendence and forgiveness. Future research and clinical applications are discussed.

【 授权许可】

Free