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Gender differences in ventromedial prefrontal cortex activity associated with valuation of faces
Ayahito Ito1, Toshikatsu Fujii1, Nobuhito Abe2
1Kansei Fukushi Research Institute, Tohoku Fukushi University, Sendai, Japan.
Neuroscience
|May 8, 2016
Summary
Men
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Social Science
Background:
- Psychological studies show men prioritize physical traits in partners more than women.
- The neural basis for these gender differences in mate preference is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate gender differences in brain activity related to face valuation.
- To explore the role of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) in mate preferences.
Main Methods:
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to measure brain activity.
- Participants rated the pleasantness of various faces (young/elderly, male/female).
- vmPFC activity was analyzed in relation to face characteristics and participant gender.
Main Results:
- vmPFC activity correlated with the subjective value of faces.
- Male subjects showed vmPFC sensitivity to face youthfulness and gender.
- Female subjects did not exhibit similar vmPFC sensitivity to these attributes.
Conclusions:
- Brain activity in the vmPFC may underlie gender differences in mate preference.
- Neural responses to physical attributes differ between men and women.
- This study offers a potential neurobiological explanation for observed psychological patterns.
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