Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 23, 2025
09:26
Disruption of Frontal Lobe Neural Synchrony During Cognitive Control by Alcohol Intoxication
Published on: February 6, 2019
21.9K
Within-group synchronization in the prefrontal cortex associates with intergroup conflict.
Jiaxin Yang1, Hejing Zhang1, Jun Ni1
1State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Key Laboratory of Brain Imaging and Connectomics, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.
Nature Neuroscience
|April 29, 2020
Summary
Group bonding increases intergroup hostility by synchronizing brain activity in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (rDLPFC) and right temporoparietal junction (rTPJ), leading to impulsive collective aggression.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Social Psychology
- Decision Making
Background:
- Group immersion can lead to reduced individuality, increased risk-taking, and hostility towards outsiders.
- Intergroup hostility is a complex social phenomenon with significant real-world consequences.
- Understanding the neural underpinnings of group behavior is crucial for addressing intergroup conflict.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify neural mechanisms underlying intergroup hostility.
- To investigate the role of within-group neural synchronization in promoting collective aggression.
- To examine the effects of in-group bonding on neural activity and intergroup behavior.
Main Methods:
- Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was used to measure neural activity and synchronization.
- 546 participants were organized into 91 three-versus-three intergroup competitions.
- In-group bonding or a no-bonding control manipulation was induced.
Main Results:
- In-group bonding increased financial contributions to in-group members and competitive spending against rivals.
- In-group bonding decreased activity in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (rDLPFC) and increased its connectivity with the right temporoparietal junction (rTPJ).
- During out-group attack, in-group bonding enhanced within-group synchronization in the rDLPFC and rTPJ, correlating positively with hostility.
Conclusions:
- Within-group synchronized reduction in prefrontal activity may explain how in-group bonding fosters impulsive, collective hostility.
- Neural synchronization in the rDLPFC and rTPJ serves as a candidate mechanism for intergroup hostility.
- Findings highlight the neural basis of group dynamics and their impact on intergroup relations.
Related Concept Videos
01:31In- and Out-Groups
42.8K
People all belong to a gender, race, age, and social economic group. These groups provide a powerful source of our identity and self-esteem (Tajfel & Turner, 1979) and serve as our in-groups. An in-group is a group that we identify with or see ourselves as belonging to.
42.8K
01:19Impact of Groups on Groups
178
Social psychologists analyze how groups influence one another, shaping social structures and interactions through both cooperation and competition. These dynamics manifest in various ways, ranging from economic partnerships to intergroup conflicts that shape societal structures and perceptions.Cooperation and Competition in Intergroup RelationsIntergroup relationships vary across contexts, sometimes fostering cooperation and mutual benefit while at other times leading to conflict and...
178
01:21Association Areas of the Cortex
8.4K
Association areas are regions of the cerebral cortex that do not have a specific sensory or motor function. Instead, they integrate and interpret information from various sources to enable higher cognitive processes such as memory, learning, and decision-making. Some key association areas include the following:
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
8.4K
01:26Causes of Similarity-Dissimilarity Effect
190
The similarity-dissimilarity effect, a fundamental concept in social psychology, explains how interpersonal similarities and differences influence attraction and social interactions. This effect is supported by three key psychological perspectives: balance theory, social comparison theory, and consensual validation.Balance Theory and Cognitive ConsistencyBalance theory, developed by Fritz Heider, posits that individuals seek cognitive consistency in their relationships. When two people share...
190
01:28Impact of Groups on Individuals
241
Groups play a fundamental role in shaping individual behavior, as they establish norms that guide interactions and decision-making. Social psychology examines how individuals conform to group expectations, often adjusting their attitudes and actions to align with group norms. These norms can be formal, such as workplace policies, or informal, such as unspoken social expectations within a fraternity.Conformity and Social InfluenceConformity arises when individuals modify their behaviors or...
241
02:45Self-Discrepancy Theory
18.8K
One influential perspective on what motivates people's behavior is detailed in Tory Higgin's self-discrepancy theory (Higgins, 1987). He proposed that people hold disagreeing internal representations of themselves that lead to different emotional states.
18.8K