Cross-modal self-recognition: the role of visual, auditory, and olfactory primes

Conscious Cogn. 2004 Mar;13(1):197-210. doi: 10.1016/j.concog.2003.10.001.

Abstract

Three priming experiments were conducted to determine how information about the self from different sensory modalities/cognitive domains affects self-face recognition. Being exposed to your body odor, seeing your name, and hearing your name all facilitated self-face recognition in a reaction time task. No similar cross-modal facilitation was found among stimuli from familiar or novel individuals. The finding of a left-hand advantage for self-face recognition was replicated when no primes were presented. These data, along with other recent results suggest the brain processes/represents information about the self in highly integrated ways.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Auditory Perception*
  • Consciousness
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mind-Body Relations, Metaphysical
  • Odorants
  • Recognition, Psychology*
  • Self Psychology*
  • Smell*
  • Visual Perception*