Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2026
08:24
The Joint Effect of Social Comparison and Social Distance on Evaluation of Intertemporal Choice Outcomes in Event-related Potential Studies
Published on: August 25, 2023
Serotonin modulates behavioral reactions to unfairness.
Molly J Crockett1, Luke Clark, Golnaz Tabibnia
1Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EB, UK. mc536@cam.ac.uk
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|June 7, 2008
Summary
Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT) depletion increased rejection of unfair offers in the ultimatum game. This suggests serotonin regulates emotions during social decision-making, impacting self-control.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Social Psychology
- Behavioral Economics
Background:
- Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT) is linked to social behavior and impulsivity.
- The precise mechanisms by which serotonin modulates self-control are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of serotonin in regulating self-control during social decision-making.
- To examine how manipulating serotonin levels affects behavior in the ultimatum game.
Main Methods:
- Behavioral experiments using the ultimatum game.
- Manipulation of serotonin function in participants.
- Assessment of offer acceptance/rejection rates for fair and unfair monetary proposals.
Main Results:
- Participants with depleted serotonin levels rejected a higher proportion of unfair offers.
- No significant changes were observed in mood, fairness judgment, reward processing, or response inhibition.
- Serotonin depletion specifically impacted the rejection of unfair social offers.
Conclusions:
- Serotonin plays a crucial role in emotional regulation during social decision-making.
- Serotonin modulation influences self-control by affecting responses to perceived unfairness.
- Findings highlight serotonin's importance in navigating social economic interactions.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Causes of Social Behavior III: Biological and Environmental Influences
Social behavior is a complex phenomenon that arises from the interaction between biological predispositions and environmental influences. This intricate interplay shapes how individuals think, feel, and act in various social contexts. Understanding these mechanisms requires insights from psychology, neuroscience, genetics, and evolutionary theory.Environmental Influences on Social BehaviorEnvironmental factors, including temperature, odors, and visual stimuli, play a crucial role in shaping...
01:26Equity Theory
Equity theory explains how our sense of fairness influences the dynamics of close relationships. Rooted in social psychology, the theory posits that individuals evaluate fairness by comparing the ratio of their contributions to the rewards they receive. Relationship satisfaction is highest when these ratios are perceived as balanced between partners, promoting mutual reciprocity and a sense of justice.Equity vs. Equality in RelationshipsEquity is distinct from equality. Fairness does not...
01:20Cognitive Theories: Schachter-Singer Theory of Emotion
Stanley Schachter and Jerome Singer proposed the two-factor theory of emotion, which emphasizes the interplay between physiological arousal and cognitive labeling in forming emotional experiences. This theory suggests that emotions are not simply a result of physiological responses but rather a combination of these responses and the individual's cognitive interpretation of them.
Physiological Arousal and Cognitive Labeling
According to this theory, when an individual experiences physiological...
Physiological Arousal and Cognitive Labeling
According to this theory, when an individual experiences physiological...
01:21Behavior Modification
Behavioral approaches have often been criticized for ignoring mental processes and focusing solely on observable behavior. However, these approaches provide an optimistic perspective for individuals seeking to change their behaviors. Rather than concentrating on intrinsic personality traits, behavioral approaches suggest that even longstanding habits can be modified by changing the reward contingencies that maintain them.
A real-world application of operant conditioning principles is applied...
A real-world application of operant conditioning principles is applied...
01:15Causes of Social Behavior II: Cognitive Processes
Cognitive processes affect social behavior by guiding how individuals perceive, interpret, and respond to social stimuli. These mental processes enable individuals to assess others' behaviors, attribute causes to their actions, and form expectations based on past experiences.Causes of Behavior and Social JudgmentsIndividuals determine the causes of others' behaviors by distinguishing between personal traits and external circumstances. For example, if a friend frequently arrives late, an...
01:30Impact of Individuals on Individuals
Human behavior is intricately shaped by social influences that arise from interactions with others in diverse contexts. These influences not only mold beliefs and attitudes but also drive the regulation of behaviors through both direct communication and observational learning. The study of these processes falls within the domain of social psychology, which seeks to understand how individuals are affected by and affect those around them.Mechanisms of Social InfluenceDirect social influence...