Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 30, 2026
06:42
Continuous Theta Burst Stimulation of the Posterior Medial Frontal Cortex to Experimentally Reduce Ideological Threat Responses
Published on: September 28, 2018
12.4K
Self-esteem modulates amygdala-ventrolateral prefrontal cortex connectivity in response to mortality threats
Kuniaki Yanagisawa1, Nobuhito Abe1, Emiko S Kashima2
1Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University.
Journal of Experimental Psychology. General
|November 17, 2015
Summary
High self-esteem buffers mortality threats by strengthening amygdala-ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC) connectivity. This neural mechanism reduces defensive responses to death-related stimuli.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Mortality reminders trigger defensive reactions, particularly in individuals with low self-esteem.
- Self-esteem is known to buffer against death threats, but the underlying neural mechanisms are unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neural mechanisms by which self-esteem modulates responses to mortality threats.
- To examine the role of limbic-frontal circuitry functional connectivity in self-esteem's buffering effect.
Main Methods:
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was employed to measure brain activity and connectivity.
- Participants with varying levels of self-esteem were exposed to death-related stimuli.
Main Results:
- Individuals with high self-esteem showed increased amygdala-ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC) connectivity when processing death stimuli compared to low self-esteem individuals.
- Enhanced amygdala-VLPFC functional connectivity predicted reduced defensive responding to belief-threatening information.
Conclusions:
- Self-esteem modulates neural responses within the amygdala-VLPFC circuit.
- This amygdala-VLPFC interaction, influenced by self-esteem, offers a neural basis for reduced defensiveness following mortality threats in high self-esteem individuals.
More Related Videos
09:14Exploring the Neural Correlates of Cognitive Reappraisal in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Using Task-based Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Published on: March 14, 2025
1.3K
11:18Using the Threat Probability Task to Assess Anxiety and Fear During Uncertain and Certain Threat
Published on: September 12, 2014
15.9K
Related Concept Videos
01:29Self-Evaluation Maintenance Model
389
The Self-Evaluation Maintenance (SEM) model offers a psychological framework to understand how individuals’ self-esteem is influenced by the achievements of others, particularly those with whom they share close personal bonds. The SEM model operates when personal rather than social identity guides individuals. Central to this model is the notion that individuals have an inherent desire to preserve a favorable self-image, which is continuously shaped by interpersonal comparisons and...
389
01:27Protecting Self-Esteem
275
Self-esteem, a central component of psychological well-being, is actively maintained through various cognitive and behavioral strategies. Individuals employ specific mechanisms to preserve a positive self-concept and mitigate threats to their self-worth, particularly in contexts involving social evaluation or personal feedback. Four primary techniques are commonly used to sustain self-esteem.Manipulating AppraisalsOne prominent strategy involves manipulating appraisals from others. Individuals...
275
01:27Need for Self-Esteem
279
The human need for self-esteem has long intrigued psychologists, leading to the development of several theories that explore its evolutionary and functional significance. Among the most influential are the sociometer, hierometer, and terror management theories. Each offers a unique perspective on why people strive for self-worth and how it shapes behavior and social interaction.Sociometer TheoryAccording to sociometer theory, self-esteem functions as an internal gauge of social acceptance. It...
279
01:27Sources of Self-Esteem III: Social Comparison
357
Social comparison plays a fundamental role in the evaluation of personal success and self-worth. Rather than assessing our achievements in isolation, we interpret their significance relative to personal goals and critically in comparison to the performance of others. A grade of B in a mathematics exam might elicit pride if one's expectation was a C, yet result in disappointment if an A was anticipated or if peers achieved superior results. These comparative evaluations illustrate how both...
357
01:25Benefits of Self-Esteem
265
Self-esteem—an individual's overall evaluation of their worth—plays a complex role in psychological functioning and well-being. It is often associated with many positive traits, such as confidence, optimism, and perseverance. Individuals with high self-esteem typically experience better sleep, manage peer pressure more effectively, and report greater life satisfaction. Conversely, low self-esteem has been consistently linked with increased risks of depression, anxiety, and poor...
265
01:28Self-Esteem
343
Self-esteem, a core aspect of psychological well-being, reflects an individual's positive and negative self-evaluation in terms of worth, competence, and overall value. It is both a stable trait and a dynamic process, influenced by experiences and social interactions across the lifespan. While global self-esteem offers a general assessment, research highlights that self-esteem is multidimensional and varies across specific life domains.Domain-Specific Self-EsteemResearchers have delineated...
343