Should I use my brain or my heart? Brain-heart dualism and its advantages in intellectual and experiential domains.

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Title: Should I use my brain or my heart? Brain-heart dualism and its advantages in intellectual and experiential domains.
Authors: Robinson, Michael D. (AUTHOR), Asad, Muhammad R. (AUTHOR), Fereidouni, Hamidreza (AUTHOR), Vohra, Pranika (AUTHOR), Ali, Najma (AUTHOR)
Source: Self & Identity. Jun2026, Vol. 25 Issue 4, p488-508. 21p.
Subjects: Individual differences, Cognitive ability, Emotional intelligence, Self-consciousness (Awareness), Cognitive psychology, Hypothesis
Abstract: Dual process theories contend that the self has at least two distinct processing modes. One prominent theory describes these modes as rational and experiential, which is a formulation that overlaps considerably with conceptual metaphors for the head (rational) and heart (experiential). Because the two processing modes operate in distinct manners, the self could, potentially, recruit processing modes in a strategic manner. Such considerations led to two studies (total N = 455) in which participants were asked to indicate how much of their self typically exists in their brain and heart areas of their bodies while performing a diverse set of daily activities. These responses permitted a calculation of brain-heart dualism, defined in terms of a within-subject correlation of self-in-brain and self-in-heart estimates across activities. Participants whose self-representations suggested a self that can move up or down within its body, in a manner conducive to context, displayed higher levels of intellectual performance (e.g. as evident in high school GPAs) as well as higher levels of experiential ability (e.g. as evident on an emotional intelligence task). The research identifies a new set of individual differences that allow individuals to match processing mode to the situation at hand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Self & Identity is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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  Data: Should I use my brain or my heart? Brain-heart dualism and its advantages in intellectual and experiential domains.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Robinson%2C+Michael+D%2E%22">Robinson, Michael D.</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Asad%2C+Muhammad+R%2E%22">Asad, Muhammad R.</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Fereidouni%2C+Hamidreza%22">Fereidouni, Hamidreza</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Vohra%2C+Pranika%22">Vohra, Pranika</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ali%2C+Najma%22">Ali, Najma</searchLink> (AUTHOR)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Self+%26+Identity%22">Self & Identity</searchLink>. Jun2026, Vol. 25 Issue 4, p488-508. 21p.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Individual+differences%22">Individual differences</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cognitive+ability%22">Cognitive ability</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Emotional+intelligence%22">Emotional intelligence</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Self-consciousness+%28Awareness%29%22">Self-consciousness (Awareness)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cognitive+psychology%22">Cognitive psychology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Hypothesis%22">Hypothesis</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
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  Data: Dual process theories contend that the self has at least two distinct processing modes. One prominent theory describes these modes as rational and experiential, which is a formulation that overlaps considerably with conceptual metaphors for the head (rational) and heart (experiential). Because the two processing modes operate in distinct manners, the self could, potentially, recruit processing modes in a strategic manner. Such considerations led to two studies (total N = 455) in which participants were asked to indicate how much of their self typically exists in their brain and heart areas of their bodies while performing a diverse set of daily activities. These responses permitted a calculation of brain-heart dualism, defined in terms of a within-subject correlation of self-in-brain and self-in-heart estimates across activities. Participants whose self-representations suggested a self that can move up or down within its body, in a manner conducive to context, displayed higher levels of intellectual performance (e.g. as evident in high school GPAs) as well as higher levels of experiential ability (e.g. as evident on an emotional intelligence task). The research identifies a new set of individual differences that allow individuals to match processing mode to the situation at hand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Self & Identity is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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        Value: 10.1080/15298868.2026.2632957
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Cognitive ability
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      – SubjectFull: Emotional intelligence
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              Text: Jun2026
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              Y: 2026
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