The neural basis of self-evaluation processing in social judgment.

Event-related potentials were recorded to explore the electrophysiological correlates of self-evaluation processing when participants performed intelligence social judgment tasks (judging who is more intelligent), containing self-judgment tasks (ST) and other judgment tasks (OT). Results showed that ST elicited a greater positivity (P2) than OT in 130-250 ms, which was related to initial self-related stimuli identification. Subsequently, ST elicited a greater positivity (P3) and negativity (LNC) than OT in 300-400 and 600-800 ms. The generator of P3 was localized in the right superior temporal gyrus, which was related to elaborate intelligence self-evaluation. The generator of LNC was localized in the posterior cingulate gyrus, which was involved in making and validating a judgment in working memory.