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Left-Hemispheric Activation and Self-Infiltration: Testing a Neuropsychological Model of Internalization

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Abstract

Two studies examined self-infiltration (as indexed by a tendency toward false self-ascription of assigned tasks) and its relationship to the activation of the two hemispheres of the human brain. Unilateral muscle contractions of each hand were performed by participants to activate the contralateral hemisphere and influence self-infiltration (confusing assigned tasks as self-selected in memory). In both studies, self-infiltration was observed after right-hand muscle contractions (left-hemispheric activation) and was absent after left-hand muscle contractions (right-hemispheric activation). In addition, Study 2 replicated the relationship between self-infiltration and left-hemispheric activation using a line drawing task to estimate participants' relative hemispheric dominance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany

    Nicola Baumann, Julius Kuhl & Miguel Kazén

  2. Faculty of Human Sciences, Area of Psychology, University of Osnabrück, Seminarstrasse 20, Osnabrück, EW, Germany, 49069

    Nicola Baumann

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  1. Nicola Baumann
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  2. Julius Kuhl
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Correspondence to Nicola Baumann.

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Baumann, N., Kuhl, J. & Kazén, M. Left-Hemispheric Activation and Self-Infiltration: Testing a Neuropsychological Model of Internalization. Motiv Emot 29, 135–163 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11031-005-9439-x

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