Towards a comprehensive understanding of the processes underlying phenomenological continuity.
Odysse M Davis, Lynette J Tippett, Donna Rose Addis
Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences November 10, 2026 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2025.0162 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | I-self Autobiographical memory Autonoetic consciousness Biographical disruptions Episodic memory Self-continuity Subjective continuity Temporal processing |
| Key findings | Argues that phenomenological continuity of the self cannot rest on episodic autobiographical memory alone, since individuals with memory disorders report intact continuity. Across 153 publications, the authors identify interoception, embodiment, temporality, a stable life trajectory and nostalgia as additional contributing processes, with ageing, socio-cultural factors and narrative processes indirectly influencing continuity's saliency and expression. |
Abstract
The sense that ourself is continuous over time is a ubiquitous human experience. Although episodic autobiographical memory (AM) makes some contribution to one's subjective sense of self-continuity-also known as I-self continuity or phenomenological continuity-there is growing evidence that individuals with memory disorders report intact phenomenological continuity. These observations suggest that additional processes must also contribute to phenomenological continuity. This systematic search and critical review aimed to identify candidate bodily and psychological processes underlying phenomenological continuity, with a focus on processes beyond AM. A systematic search of three databases (PsycINFO, PubMed and Web of Science) yielded 153 publications that provided evidence of several processes contributing to phenomenological continuity: interoception, embodiment, temporality, a stable life trajectory and nostalgia. Alongside episodic AM, these processes provide multiple sources of constancy integrated across differing timescales. In addition, we identified several processes that indirectly influence the saliency and expression of phenomenological continuity, such as ageing, socio-cultural factors and narrative processes. These findings extend existing models of self-continuity, providing a more comprehensive overview of the processes that, along with memory, underpin phenomenological continuity. This article is part of the discussion meeting issue 'From being to identity: analysis and synthesis of the self'.