Self-face identification is increased with left hand responses

Evidence suggests that autobiographical memory, self-related semantic categ ory judgements, and self-identification tasks may be lateralised, with pref erential activity in the right anterior temporal and prefrontal cortex. To test this hypothesis, participants (N=10) were presented with morphed image s of themselves (self) combined with a famous face. A further set of images was generated in which the face of one of the participant's co-workers (fa miliar) was combined with a famous face. When compared to morphed images co mposed of a familiar face, the participants identified images less often as being famous if the images were composed of self, but only when responding with their left hands. This greater "self-effect" found in left-hand respo nses may imply that when the right hemisphere is preferentially active, par ticipants have a tendency to refer images to self. These data provide furth er support for a preferential role of the right hemisphere in processing se lf-related material.