How to trust a perfect stranger: predicting initial trust behavior from resting-state brain-electrical connectivity

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Social Psychology
• Behavioral Economics

Background:

• Cooperation with unknown partners requires initial trust, which is not based on prior interactions.
• Understanding the origins of this initial trust is crucial for explaining cooperative behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if initial trust levels can be predicted from brain activity before any social exchange.
• To explore the neural representation of trust before interaction.

Main Methods:

• Utilized resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) data from participants before playing a standard 10-round Trust Game.
• Correlated rsFC patterns with the investors' initial investment (Round 1) in the Trust Game.

Main Results:

• Resting-state functional connectivity significantly predicted the investor's initial trust level in Round 1.
• This neural predictor of trust was not significant in later rounds, suggesting belief updating.

Conclusions:

• Initial trust in unknown partners has a neural basis reflected in resting-state brain activity.
• Brain electrical activity preceding an exchange can determine, in part, an individual's initial level of trust.