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A Hedonism Hub in the Human Brain
G Zacharopoulos1, T M Lancaster1,2, T Bracht1
1CUBRIC, School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK.
Cerebral Cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991)
|July 31, 2016
Summary
This study links the human value of hedonism to brain structure. Greater importance placed on hedonism correlated with increased volume in the left globus pallidus, a key reward processing area.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Behavioral Economics
Background:
- Human values are abstract ideals that drive behavior.
- The brain's reward system is crucial for motivated actions.
- Individual differences in value orientation may relate to neural structures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between human values and brain structure.
- To explore if subcortical reward system hubs and the medial forebrain bundle correlate with value orientation.
Main Methods:
- Pearson's correlation analysis was used.
- Examined relationships between 10 human values and subcortical brain volumes (14 structures).
- Assessed microstructural properties of the superolateral medial forebrain bundle (slMFB) in 87 participants.
Main Results:
- A significant positive correlation was found between hedonism value and left globus pallidus (GP) volume.
- An uncorrected positive association was observed between myelin volume fraction in the left slMFB and hedonism scores.
Conclusions:
- This research provides the first evidence linking the value of hedonism to structural variations in reward-related brain regions.
- Findings suggest a neurobiological basis for individual differences in valuing hedonism.
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