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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2021.12.18.473276

When self comes to a wandering mind: Brain representations and dynamics of self-generated concepts in spontaneous thought

Kim, B.·Andrews-Hanna, J. R.·Han, J.·Lee, E.·Woo, C.-W.
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Abstract

AO_SCPLOWBSTRACTC_SCPLOWSelf-relevant concepts are major building blocks of spontaneous thought, and their dynamics in a natural stream of thought are likely to reveal ones internal states important for mental health. Here we conducted an fMRI experiment (n = 62) to examine brain representations and dynamics of self-generated concepts in the context of spontaneous thought using a newly developed free association-based thought sampling task. The dynamics of conceptual associations were predictive of individual differences in general negative affectivity, replicating across multiple datasets (n = 196). Reflecting on self-generated concepts strongly engaged brain regions linked to autobiographical memory, conceptual processes, emotion, and autonomic regulation, including the medial prefrontal and medial temporal subcortical structures. Multivariate pattern-based predictive modeling revealed that the neural representations of valence became more person-specific as the level of perceived self-relevance increased. Overall, this study provides a hint of how self-generated concepts in spontaneous thought construct inner affective states and idiosyncrasies.

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Kim, B., Andrews-Hanna, J. R., Han, J., Lee, E., Woo, C.-W.. 2021-12-21. When self comes to a wandering mind: Brain representations and dynamics of self-generated concepts in spontaneous thought. https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.12.18.473276

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