Perspective taking reduces group biases in sensorimotor resonance.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Social Psychology
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Sensorimotor resonance, involving shared neural circuits for action and observation, is linked to action understanding and empathy.
• Group biases can limit sensorimotor resonance, restricting it to one's social ingroup.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether an empathic mindset can mitigate group biases in sensorimotor resonance.
• To explore the impact of perspective-taking on neural responses to actions performed by ingroup versus outgroup members.

Main Methods:

• Participants adopted either an objective or a perspective-taking mindset before observing actions.
• Electroencephalography (EEG) measured mu-rhythm suppression (8-13 Hz) over sensorimotor areas as an indicator of resonance.
• Mindsets were manipulated by having participants write about an outgroup member's daily life.

Main Results:

• Objective mindset led to resonance with ingroup members but not outgroup members.
• Perspective-taking mindset induced resonance with both ingroup and outgroup members, particularly the latter.
• Mindset significantly influenced resonance with outgroup members, suggesting reduced bias.

Conclusions:

• Perspective-taking can effectively reduce group biases in sensorimotor resonance.
• This empathic approach may foster cross-group intuitive understanding and empathy.
• Neural mechanisms of empathy can be modulated by adopting specific mindsets.