Exploring the Concept of Self: Where Do You Believe Your Identity Resides?

Engaging in self-exploration can enhance your understanding of your mind. Start by placing your finger on the area of your body that resonates with your sense of self. Avoid overthinking this; there are no right or wrong choices. Simply connect with your identity and where you feel most centered.

If you’re like most individuals, you’ll likely touch either your head or your heart. This choice may seem trivial, but several studies indicate that it can reveal your thinking style—whether you lean toward logic and analysis or intuition and emotion. Understanding how to switch between these modes can remarkably improve your decision-making capabilities.

It’s widely accepted that our decisions hinge on whether we think with our heads or hearts, a notion that’s prevalent in popular culture. Interestingly, this connection was first studied scientifically in 2013 by researchers Adam Fetterman from the University of Houston and Michael D. Robinson from North Dakota State University, who examined if our perceptions truly influence our actions.

Through self-report questionnaires, it emerged that “head-locators” frequently categorized themselves as rational thinkers, while “heart-locators” identified as emotionally driven. Remarkably, these perceptions correlate with objective behavioral metrics. For instance, Fetterman and Robinson observed that those who considered themselves ‘head-locators’ tended to excel on general knowledge exams, indicating a more cognitive-focused lifestyle. Conversely, ‘heart-locators’ often reported heightened sensitivity in stressful scenarios, reflecting their emotional depth.

The researchers found that individuals’ self-perception could predict outcomes related to their rational or emotional thinking styles a year later, signifying that this is a stable trait. However, many aspects of our psychology remain pliable. Just as levels of extraversion can fluctuate based on social context, it’s worth questioning whether our self-concept is equally adaptable. Robinson’s team explored this concept in a recent study.

In the studies, participants (n=455) were prompted to envision themselves engaging in various activities, rating how prominently their self-awareness was rooted in their brain or heart on a scale from 1 (not present) to 7 (very present). As predicted, responses varied based on the task; for example, self-awareness was more pronounced when engaged in analytical activities versus emotional reflection. This flexibility related directly to test performance. Participants who exhibited higher adaptability in their self-awareness scored better on key assessments, such as the American College Testing (ACT) and the North Dakota Emotional Ability Test, which assesses emotional intelligence.

These findings align with the “dual process theory” of cognition, which posits that our mental systems engage in either methodical reasoning or instinctual responses. Robinson’s research suggests that self-perception impacts which cognitive approach we employ, with those adept at reverting between modes enjoying superior decision-making capabilities in various domains. High achievers were found to effectively practice the “art of employing strategies” suitable for each task, merging head-driven logic with heart-driven intuition.

Can we all cultivate this skill? When I queried Robinson, he posited, “Achieving conscious control over this mental flexibility may require time and practice, possibly through meditation and other body-focused exercises.” As someone who leans intellectually, he admitted the journey can be challenging.

In a preliminary experiment from their 2013 study, having participants touch specific body locations altered their cognitive processes. For example, touching one’s temple promotes logical thinking, while touching the chest encourages instinctual moral reasoning, akin to the famous trolley problem. These bodily interactions also improved performance on true/false tests necessitating logical reasoning by around 9%.

Although I won’t depend on this method without larger trials to validate it, my awareness of my self-location has shifted since learning about Robinson’s ongoing studies. At times, my sense of self seems to align straight behind my eyes, while other moments place it lower in my ribcage. The contrast is so vivid that I now recognize transitions I once overlooked. By acknowledging these shifts, I gain deeper insights into what influences my decision-making.

That’s the beauty of psychological research—it unveils critical facets of our existence that we often overlook.

David Robson’s latest book is The Law of Connection: 13 Social Strategies That Will Change Your Life. If you have questions for his column, feel free to reach out: davidrobson.me/Contact