Fig. 2: Representational similarity analysis protocol and hypothesis formalization.
From: Decoding individual identity from brain activity elicited in imagining common experiences
The diagram summarizes the computational approach taken in our analyses and illustrates two formalizations of our primary hypothesis. Stage 1 was repeated for each participant. In the diagram fMRI data is represented as a single correlation matrix to simplify visualization, however stages 1 to 4 were repeated on fMRI activation extracted from multiple regions of interest (ROIs). Step 1 illustrates how the three personal scenario representations (fMRI and the verbal and attribute models were transformed into a common space to enable their comparison (stages 3 and 4). Step 2 illustrates how group-average model representations were constructed whilst excluding test participants (G-1). Stages 3 and 4 reflect different approaches to testing the same fundamental hypotheses that fMRI activation patterns reflect meaningful person-specific information that is brought to mind when individuals imagine themselves in different scenarios.
