Work

Not mine, it's yours: Liberal decision threshold underpins self-other memory prioritization

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: ). If so, self-relevance should counteract impaired memory for visually degraded stimuli (e.g., those presented at low contrast). In two experiments we investigated if the attentional enhancement attributed to the SAN occurs at the encoding (Experiment 1) or retrieval (Experiment 2) stage of recognition memory. Using a computerised version of the shopping task, participants sorted miscellaneous shopping objects into self- and other-owned bags (encoding) and then completed a surprise recognition source memory test, indicating if the object was self-, other-owned or not recognised (retrieval). Notably, in Experiment 1, half the objects appeared under low-contrast conditions during the object sorting task (encoding). Conversely, in Experiment 2 the low-contrast manipulation occurred in the subsequent surprise recognition source memory test. Contrary to previous findings, neither manipulation produced the SRE at the behavioural level, with equally accurate source memory for self- and other-owned objects. A Hierarchical Linear Ballistic Accumulator model probed the decisional mechanisms underlying memory performance. This model revealed a caution decision threshold for self- compared with other-owned objects potentially accounts for self-relevance memory advantages. This suggests decision-level factors contribute to the SRE and potentially play a larger role than early attentional factors.

Source: Acta Psychologica

DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2025.105077

Authors: Ashleigh S. Vella, David K. Sewell, Timothy Ballard, Ada Kritikos

Institution: The University of Queensland

Language: English

Topic: Memory Processes and Influences

Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,670

Funder: University of Queensland