Social exclusion increases the executive function of attention networks
Huoyin Zhang1,2, Shiyunmeng Zhang1,2, Jiachen Lu1,3
1Institute for Brain and Psychological Sciences, Sichuan Normal University, No. 5, Jing'an Road, Jinjiang District, Chengdu, 610068, China.
Scientific Reports
|May 5, 2021
Summary
Social exclusion enhances executive control and speeds response times, contrary to expectations. This suggests social exclusion may positively impact attention networks, offering new indicators for psychosomatic research.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Social Neuroscience
Background:
- Social exclusion research indicates overlapping brain activation with attention networks.
- The impact of social exclusion on behavioral monitoring and individual attention requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how social exclusion influences the attention network.
- To compare the performance of the attention network's subsystems between socially excluded and included individuals.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Cyberball game to induce social exclusion.
- Administered the Attention Network Test (ANT) to assess orienting, alerting, and executive control.
- Compared ANT results between an exclusion group (N=60) and an inclusion group (N=60).
Main Results:
- The exclusion group exhibited faster overall response times compared to the inclusion group.
- Excluded individuals demonstrated superior executive control, including enhanced conflict detection and management.
- No significant differences were observed in the orienting or alerting subsystems of attention.
Conclusions:
- Social exclusion can positively influence aspects of the attention network, particularly executive control.
- Attention network performance may serve as a valuable indicator for understanding the psychosomatic effects of social exclusion.
- Future research should explore the psychosomatic mechanisms underlying these attention network changes.
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