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Neural correlates of believing.

Xiaochun Han1, Ting Zhang1, Shiyu Wang1

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Believing, unlike merely thinking, enhances memory for self-related traits. This cognitive process involves distinct brain activity in areas like the anterior insula and prefrontal cortex.

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Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Neuroimaging
  • Psychology

Background:

  • Beliefs are foundational to human behavior, yet the neural mechanisms underlying belief formation are not fully understood.
  • Investigating the brain processes associated with believing is crucial for understanding cognition.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the neural underpinnings of the mental process of believing in healthy adults.
  • To differentiate the neural correlates of believing versus thinking about self-related traits.

Main Methods:

  • Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to scan healthy adults.
  • Participants responded to yes/no questions about whether trait adjectives described themselves or a celebrity, distinguishing between believing and thinking.

Main Results:

  • Believing, compared to thinking, was associated with improved memory for self-related adjectives.
  • Believing showed stronger activation in the left anterior insula/inferior frontal cortex.
  • Increased functional connectivity was observed between the medial prefrontal cortex and left occipital cortex, and intrinsic connectivity between the left occipital cortex and left anterior insula/inferior frontal cortex.

Conclusions:

  • The study identifies specific neurocognitive processes characterizing belief formation in healthy adults.
  • Findings highlight the role of the anterior insula, inferior frontal cortex, medial prefrontal cortex, and occipital cortex in the process of believing.