Self-awareness, the capacity to regard oneself as an object of awareness, remains a puzzle addressed by religion, philosophy, and science. This review examines the neurocognitive mechanisms behind self-awareness, describing it as a multidimensional, emergent property that manifests at different levels of cognitive complexity, framed within predictive coding theory. It discusses how self-awareness is altered in neuropsychiatric conditions and evaluates alternative frameworks for understanding it in both health and psychopathology. The article identifies gaps in current knowledge and suggests directions for future research.
Chanting, an ancient practice involving rhythmic vocalization, activates brain regions linked to attention and emotional regulation, including the prefrontal cortex, insula, and cingulate gyrus, while deactivating default mode network areas such as the posterior cingulate cortex and hippocampus, indicating reduced self-referential thought. Electroencephalography studies show increased theta activity, suggesting enhanced relaxation. This systematic review of 24 studies, drawn from 899 initial articles, identifies consistent neural patterns across diverse chanting styles, laying a foundation for further research into the neural mechanisms of chanting.
Neuroscientific methods have heavily shaped public perception of clinical psychology, but their contribution to understanding human psychology and the self is limited. This article reviews the shortcomings of a psychopharmacological approach to mental disorders and proposes a psychological model where current neuroscientific research describes symptoms, not causes. The model aligns with network theories of disorders and emphasizes the Pattern Theory of the Self, arguing that disruptions to the psychological self are central to mental disorders. The author calls for reconsidering the philosophical foundations of clinical psychology and neuroscience to develop more effective interventions.