Negative self-image alters cognitive performance and brain function
Multiple neuroimaging and psychological studies demonstrate that a negative self-image and associated self-referential processes systematically alter cognitive performance and engage specific neural circuits.
The claim posits that a negative self-image alters cognitive performance and brain function. Papers [2], [3], [5], and [11] directly examine self-referential processing, body/self-image, and their corresponding cognitive biases and neural correlates (e.g., fMRI and EEG findings in depression, anxiety, and body dissatisfaction), while Paper [6] links self-image to cognitive and academic outcomes. The evidence robustly supports the assertion, yielding a SUPPORTED verdict with no contradicting papers.
Lily A. Brown, Katherine S. Young, P. Goldin, Jared B. Torre, Lisa Burklund, C. Davies, Andrea N. Niles, Matthew D. Lieberman, D. Saxbe, M. Craske. Self-referential processing during observation of a speech performance task in social anxiety disorder from pre- to post-treatment: Evidence of disrupted neural activation. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pscychresns.2018.12.017
Paper 2 demonstrates that negative self-referential processing in social anxiety disorder involves distinct neural activation and functional connectivity within regions such as the fusiform face area and amygdala.
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L. Murray, Nigel M. Jaffe, Anna O. Tierney, Kristina Pidvirny, Emma G. Balkind, Batool S Abbasi, Miranda Brown, Christian A. Webb. Brain Mechanisms of Rumination and Negative Self-Referential Processing in Adolescent Depression. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2024.08.114
Paper 3 shows that negative self-referential processing and rumination in adolescents are linked to specific cognitive biases and altered insula and dorsal anterior cingulate activity.
Nayoung Kim, Paul A. Bloom, A. Rosellini, Christian A. Webb, D. Pizzagalli, R. Auerbach. Probing Neurophysiological Processes Related to Self-Referential Processing to Predict Improvement for Depressed Adolescents Receiving Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpsc.2024.10.010
Paper 5 reveals that depression-related self-referential processing is characterized by prominent neurophysiological alterations, such as prefrontal theta synchronization and posterior alpha desynchronization.
Seceleanu A, Sunda I, Ioana Garabet B. Social media addiction and psychological outcomes: the mediating roles of affect, authenticity, and self-image.. 2026. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1837689
Paper 6 establishes that negative self-image significantly mediates the relationship between digital behaviors and psychological or cognitive outcomes.
Xu YM, Zhong BL. The Association Between Body Image and Depression: Historical Evolution and Recent Research Progress.. 2026. https://doi.org/10.2147/prbm.s593127
Paper 11 synthesizes extensive evidence showing that a negative self-image (body dissatisfaction) is closely linked to cognitive and emotional vulnerabilities like depressive symptoms and cognitive biases.
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