A common view of consciousness is that our mind presents emotions, experiences, and images in an internal mental (re-)presentation space which in a state of wakefulness is triggered by the world outside. Consciousness can be defined as the observation of this inner mental space. We propose a new model, in which the state of the conscious observer is defined by the observer’s mental position and focus of attention. The mental position of the observer can either be within the mental self (intrapersonal space), in the mental outer world (extrapersonal space) or in an empathic connection, i.e., within the intrapersonal space of another person (perspective taking). The focus of attention can be directed toward the self or toward the outside world. This mental space model can help us to understand the patterns of relationships and interactions with other persons as they occur in social life. To investigate the neurophysiological correlates and discriminability of the different mental states, we conducted an EEG experiment measuring the brain activity of 16 subjects via 64 electrodes while they engaged in different mental positions (intrapersonal, extrapersonal, perspective taking) with different attentional foci (self, object). Compared to external mental locations, internal ones showed significantly increased alpha2 power, especially when the observer was focusing on an object. Alpha2 and beta2 were increased in the empathic condition compared to the extrapersonal perspective. Delta power was significantly higher when the attentional focus was directed toward an object in comparison to the participant’s own self. This exploratory study demonstrates highly significant differences between various mental locations and foci, suggesting that the proposed categories of mental location and intra- and interpersonal attentional foci are not only helpful theoretical concepts but are also physiologically relevant and therefore may relate to basic brain processing mechanisms.

The Boundary Protection Scale -14 (BPS-14) represents a new instrument to capture the degree of protection of the mental self-boundary for use in mindfulness training, therapeutic work and scientific research. We assumed a relation between the ability to protect the self-boundary and mindfulness skills. For more efficient use the original version consisting 20 items was abridged and studied with regard to its validity and reliability. Also first reference values were calculated in a sample of 1,089 subjects, consisting predominantly of students. The total score of the abridged version with 14 items shows an acceptable reliability (Cronbach's α = 0.79) and a medium correlation (r = -0.48) with mindfulness, measured by means of the Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory (FMI), regarding the convergent validity. Further studies are encouraged, as well as use of the BPS in mindfulness research, social neuroscience or everyday life.

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Hintergrund: Das Interpersonelle Aufmerksamkeitsmanagement-Inventar (IAMI) stellt ein neues Instrument zur Erfassung der Kompetenz in Selbst- und Fremdwahrnehmung dar. Ihm liegt ein theoretisches Modell bestehend aus den 3 mentalen Aufmerksamkeitsstandorten (intrapersoneller Raum, extrapersoneller Raum und fremder intrapersoneller Raum) einer anderen Person zugrunde. Methoden: Das IAMI wurde anhand einer größeren Stichprobe (n = 1089) hinsichtlich seiner Faktorenstruktur untersucht und gekürzt, und es wurden testtheoretische Kennwerte sowie erste Vergleichswerte berechnet. Ergebnisse: Eine Faktorenanalyse konnte die Einteilung in die übergeordneten Skalen weitgehend bestätigen. Die gekürzte Version mit 31 Items und 3 übergeordneten Skalen weist eine gute interne Konsistenz des Gesamtwertes (Cronbachs α = 0,81) auf und zeigt hinsichtlich der konvergenten Validität einen mittleren Zusammenhang (r = 0,41) des Gesamtwertes mit Achtsamkeit, gemessen mit dem Freiburger Fragebogen zur Achtsamkeit. Schlussfolgerungen: Weitere Validierungsstudien sind erwünscht, sodass das IAMI als (Verlaufs-)Diagnostikum für die Therapie psychischer Störungen sowie für die Forschung im Bereich der sozialen Neurowissenschaften eingesetzt werden kann, z.B. bei der Erforschung von Achtsamkeit, Mitgefühl, Empathie, der Theory-of-Mind und der Ich-Grenze.

The three-dimensional self-boundary visualization (3-DBV) can be a psychotherapeutic tool for exploring inner mental realms by visualizing self-boundaries. The self and its boundaries are represented by symbolic objects which display a simplified image of one’s current emotional and mental circumstances. This three-dimensional setup can then be explored with a self-representing figure from various perspectives. By transferring from horizontal to vertical positions, emotional detachment, and a shift in consciousness to a heightened transcendental state can be witnessed. To evaluate this phenomenon, a study was conducted investigating such changes in perception and comparing horizontal to vertical perspectives. Hereby, 37 individuals were guided through a 60-min, standardized, 3-DBV session via video conference. Self-report questionnaires (CSP and PCI-K-D) and interview transcripts were acquired for a within-subject analysis. The results of which showing that 3-DBV leads to expanded self-perception as displayed in the Changes in Subjective Self-Perception questionnaire (CSP) with an increase of integration in 82%, balance in 65%, and vitality in 73% of participants. The Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory (PCI-K-D) reveals that the vertical experience induces significantly higher levels of bliss, feelings of expansion, and timelessness than the horizontal. These observations are supported by the qualitative interview data indicating a wider spectrum of emotions, more diverse imagery, and bodily sensations in the vertical plane. Overall, the results demonstrate the suitability of 3-DBV in inciting self-transcending states of consciousness and its potential for future therapeutic use.