Tell me more ×
Cognitive Sciences Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for practitioners, researchers, and students in cognitive science, psychology, neuroscience, and psychiatry. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 6 down vote favorite
3

Some time ago, I've read that the most significant people in a person's life have their own internal representation/model of within the person's mind. For example:

  • An internal representation of a spouse
  • An internal representation of parents, grandparents
  • An internal representation of children
  • Close friends, etc

This representation does not matter, until the connection is severed - the significant person dies or moves away. This is when there's no more input from the real world - only the internal representation remains. For example, it is possible to dream of an interaction with a deceased relative. My question is about whatever phenomenon causes people to be able to dream and interact with people previously known, while in a dream.

I'm interested if there has been research that confirms that people do indeed have unique internal models of significantly close relatives? If so, what is the correct term to use when searching for scientific information on the subject?

Update: In particular, I'm interested in unique internal representations - linked to a unique object in real life. Do they exist?

For example, there is only one spouse. Jane Smith. Has there been evidence that the internal representation of Jane Smith is unique (every single time Jane Smith is encountered, it is the same representation, possibly lighting up the same region of the brain if viewed with imaging techniques).

share|improve this question
1  
it's unclear what you're asking. we have internal representations of everyhing--not just people, and especially not just dead people. we can imagine dead relatives for the same reason we can imagine a block of cheese. perhaps if you cite the source where you saw this idea we can answer your question better. – Jeff Dec 12 '12 at 0:31
1  
It's good to know that there are internal representations. The block of cheese may not be a good example, because it rarely talks to you, and as such it is hard to interact with it! I've updated the question to indicate that I'm looking for proof of unique representations – Alex Stone Dec 12 '12 at 2:54
I've seen this idea a very long time ago, possibly in the book "7 habits of highly effective people", but I don't have the book to verify – Alex Stone Dec 12 '12 at 3:02
2  
Douglas Hofstadter stands by this stance in "I am a Strange Loop". He tends to borrow ideas from earlier philosophers without attribution, but I don't know off the top where this particular idea originates. – Artem Kaznatcheev Dec 12 '12 at 13:24
@AlexStone: I think I am missing something, is there any difference between internal representation and a memory of the person? – Greg McNulty Dec 13 '12 at 18:27
show 1 more comment

Know someone who can answer? Share a link to this question via email, Google+, Twitter, or Facebook.

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.