Mental imagery of positive and neutral memories: A fMRI study comparing field perspective imagery to observer perspective imagery

Abstract

Imagery perspective can influence what information is recalled, processing style, and emotionality; however, the understanding of possible mechanisms mediating these observed differences is still limited. We aimed to examine differences between memory recall from a field perspective and observer perspective at the neurobiological level, in order to improve our understanding of what is underlying the observed differences at the behavioral level. We conducted a fMRI study in healthy individuals, comparing imagery perspectives during recall of neutral and positive autobiographical memories. Behavioral results revealed field perspective imagery of positive memories, as compared to observer perspective, to be associated with more positive feelings afterwards. At the neurobiological level, contrasting observer perspective to field perspective imagery was associated with greater activity, or less decrease relative to the control visual search task, in the right precuneus and in the right temporoparietal junction (TPJ). Greater activity in the right TPJ during an observer perspective as compared to field perspective could reflect performing a greater shift of perspective and mental state during observer perspective imagery than field perspective imagery. Differential activity in the precuneus may reflect that during observer perspective imagery individuals are more likely to engage in (self-) evaluative processing and visuospatial processing. Our findings contribute to a growing understanding of how imagery perspective can influence the type of information that is recalled and the intensity of the emotional response. Observer perspective imagery may not automatically reduce emotional intensity but this could depend on how the imagined situation is evaluated in relation to the self-concept.

Shifting visual perspective during retrieval shapes autobiographical memories

“…Given the flexibility of the precuneus response during visual perspective taking, it is likely that it would supports shifts in visual perspective irrespective of the direction-especially for equally strong own eyes and observer memories. Understanding these issues could also help to explain the mixed findings noted earlier regarding the preferential response of the precuneus when contrasting own eyes and observer perspectives during autobiographical memory retrieval (Eich et al, 2009; Freton et al, 2014; Grol et al, 2017). One important step in this direction will be to control for the initial visual perspective of memories, as well as differences in demands on perspective shifting.…”

“…These included many of the regions typically recruited during autobiographical memory retrieval (Cabeza and St Jacques, 2007; Fuentemilla et al, 2014; Spreng et al, 2008; Svoboda et al, 2006), including the medial temporal lobe (hippocampus and parahippocampus), lateral temporal lobe, some regions of the lateral prefrontal cortex, anterior midline and posterior midline regions excluding the precuneus. Surprisingly, previous fMRI studies of autobiographical memory retrieval have not controlled for the visual perspective of memories, or have focused solely on memories retrieved from an own eyes perspective (but see Grol et al, 2017). These considerations may explain why precuneus is not frequently recruited during autobiographical memory retrieval (Svoboda et al, 2006), perhaps reflecting differential demands on perspective shifting.…”

“…The couple of neuroimaging studies that directly examined how adopting an own eyes or observer visual perspective influences memory retrieval have also found inconsistent results concerning the involvement of the precuneus. In a recent fMRI study, Grol, Vingerhoets and De Raedt (2017) found that neural recruitment of the precuneus was greater when adopting an observer compared to an own eyes perspective during autobiographical memory retrieval. In contrast, Eich and colleagues (2009) found that the precuneus was similarly involved when retrieving memories for complex lab-based events from own eyes and observer perspectives.…”

When I relive a positive me: Vivid autobiographical memories facilitate autonoetic brain activation and enhance mood

“…Additionally, lower vividness was related to increased PCC and precuneus activation which have been associated with successful retrieval of autobiographical memories as opposed to nonself memories (e.g., a movie) (Summerfield, Hassabis, & Maguire, 2009) or more abstract levels of self-processing (Martinelli et al, 2013). However, the PCC and precuneus may not be specific to re-experiencing self-related memories per se but may be related to the cognitive processes that facilitate viewing the self from a thirdperson perspective (viewing the self as me-self) (Grol et al, 2017;Legrand & Ruby, 2009;Prebble et al, 2013).…”

“…Prereflective awareness indicates that one is at the moment re-experiencing the event and reflective awareness indicates a meta-conscious experience where one takes more distant from the event (Libby & Eibach, 2002;Prebble, Addis, & Tippett, 2013). For reflective awareness, the dorsal mPFC (Esslen et al, 2008), and for more distant reliving through a third person perspective, the precuneus, and temporo-parietal junction (TPJ) (Grol, Vingerhoets, & De Raedt, 2017) are crucial brain regions. For reflective awareness, the dorsal mPFC (Esslen et al, 2008), and for more distant reliving through a third person perspective, the precuneus, and temporo-parietal junction (TPJ) (Grol, Vingerhoets, & De Raedt, 2017) are crucial brain regions.…”