Neural activity associated with self, other, and object-based counterfactual thinking.
Felipe De Brigard1, R Nathan Spreng2, Jason P Mitchell3
1Department of Philosophy, Duke University, USA; Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, Duke University, USA; Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, USA.
Neuroimage
|January 13, 2015
Summary
Mental simulations about how life could differ engage the brain's default network (DN). This study found DN involvement in self/other simulations, but not object-based ones, with brain activity varying based on character similarity and familiarity.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Neuroimaging
- Psychology
Background:
- Autobiographical episodic counterfactual thinking, or simulating alternative life events, activates the brain's default network (DN).
- It is unclear if the DN is also engaged during impersonal counterfactual thoughts about others or objects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare brain activity during counterfactual simulations involving the self, others, and objects.
- To investigate how character similarity and familiarity influence brain activity during counterfactual simulations involving others.
Main Methods:
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to measure brain activity.
- Participants engaged in counterfactual simulations involving the self, familiar/unfamiliar others, and objects.
- Simulations involving others were manipulated based on perceived similarity and familiarity.
Main Results:
- The default network (DN) was more active during person-based (self and other) counterfactual simulations than object-based ones.
- Brain activity within the DN during simulations about others varied based on perceived similarity and familiarity.
- Simulations of unfamiliar characters activated the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, while similar unfamiliar characters activated the lateral temporal gyrus.
Conclusions:
- Different brain mechanisms underlie personal and impersonal counterfactual thought simulations.
- The recruitment of autobiographical memory regions during counterfactual simulations about others depends on perceived similarity and familiarity.
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