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I find you more attractive … after (prefrontal cortex) stimulation.
Chiara Ferrari1, Carlotta Lega2, Marco Tamietto3
1Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy; Brain Connectivity Center, C. Mondino National Neurological Institute, Pavia, Italy.
Neuropsychologia
|April 28, 2015
Summary
Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) causally enhances perceived facial attractiveness. This effect appears specific to beauty judgments, not other facial attributes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Facial attractiveness perception is rapid and involves reward circuitry and prefrontal cortices.
- The precise role of the prefrontal cortex in beauty appreciation remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the causal role of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) in judging facial attractiveness.
- To determine if modulating DLPFC activity influences the perception of facial beauty.
Main Methods:
- Participants underwent transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the right or left DLPFC.
- Facial attractiveness and other attributes (e.g., age) were rated before and after stimulation.
Main Results:
- Anodal tDCS over the right DLPFC significantly increased perceived facial attractiveness.
- Stimulation of the left DLPFC or non-attractive face ratings were unaffected.
- The enhancement effect was selective for attractiveness, not other facial characteristics.
Conclusions:
- The right DLPFC plays a causal role in the explicit judgment of facial attractiveness.
- Modulating right DLPFC activity offers a potential mechanism for altering beauty perception.