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Updated: Jul 9, 2026
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Brain Imaging Investigation of the Neural Correlates of Observing Virtual Social Interactions
Published on: July 6, 2011
Neural correlates of trust.
Frank Krueger1, Kevin McCabe, Jorge Moll
1Cognitive Neuroscience Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-1440, USA.
Summary
This study reveals distinct brain mechanisms for conditional and unconditional trust. The paracingulate cortex builds trust, while the ventral tegmental area and septal area manage conditional and unconditional trust, respectively.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Social Psychology
- Decision Sciences
Background:
- Trust is fundamental for human cooperation and social interaction.
- The neural underpinnings of conditional and unconditional trust in social exchange remain largely unknown.
- Understanding these mechanisms is key to explaining complex human social behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the brain mechanisms underlying conditional and unconditional trust.
- To differentiate the neural systems involved in building and maintaining trust.
- To explore how different brain regions contribute to reciprocal social exchange.
Main Methods:
- Utilized hyperfunctional magnetic resonance imaging (hfMRI) for simultaneous brain scanning of two interacting strangers.
- Employed a non-anonymous, alternating multiround trust game to establish bidirectional trust.
- Conducted within- and between-brain analyses to examine functional brain activity patterns.
Main Results:
- Identified the paracingulate cortex as crucial for building trust by inferring intentions.
- Demonstrated that conditional trust selectively activates the ventral tegmental area (reward evaluation).
- Showed that unconditional trust selectively activates the septal area (social attachment).
Conclusions:
- Different neuronal systems implement conditional and unconditional trust strategies.
- The paracingulate cortex interacts with primitive neural systems to maintain trust.
- These neural mechanisms support reciprocal exchange beyond kinship, a hallmark of human species.
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