Scientific Understanding of Consciousness
Consciousness as an Emergent Property of Thalamocortical Activity

Autobiographical Memory

 

One researcher defines autobiographical memory as a system that retains knowledge concerning the experienced self, the "me." (Baddeley, et.al.; Memory, 144)

Autobiographical memory is always addressed by the content of the memory. (Baddeley, et.al.; Memory, 144)

Autobiographical memories are inherently personal and usually have an emotional tone. (Zald & Rauch; Orbitofrontal Cortex, 293)

Infantile amnesia -- infancy is not remembered.  Adults do not remember autobiographical episodes that occurred prior to the age of about three or four years. (Dudai; Memory from A to Z, 127)

 

Autobiographical memory is a major characteristic of human-type consciousness and the self.

Autobiographical memory makes use of declarative memory and emotional memory.

 

The traditional notion of self, which we link to the idea of identity, is the autobiographical self, and corresponds to a non-transient collection of unique facts and ways of being that characterize a person. (Damasio; Neurobiology for Consciousness, 113)

The orbitofrontal cortex is involved in autobiographical memory that is mostly emotional and of personal significance. (Zald & Rauch; Orbitofrontal Cortex, 285)

The main role of the OFC in autobiographical memory lies in the mediation between specific memories,    memory-related emotions    and a feeling of self-awareness or autonoetic consciousness. (Zald & Rauch; Orbitofrontal Cortex, 300)

A bilateral network of brain regions is activated during autobiographical memory processing,    including the ventrolateral, dorsolateral and orbitofrontal/ventromedial prefrontal cortex,    temporal pole,    lateral and medial temporal cortex (with hippocampal formation and parahippocampal gyrus,    temporo-parietal junction area)    and posterior cingulate/retrosplenial cortex    as well as parts of the cerebellum. (Zald & Rauch; Orbitofrontal Cortex, 293)

 

Research Study — Hippocampal CA2 region is essential for Social Memory

 

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