Interbrain Synchrony of Team Collaborative Decision-Making: An fNIRS Hyperscanning Study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Social Psychology
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Team collaborative decision-making (TCDM) is prevalent but lacks comprehensive brain-based models.
• Understanding neural underpinnings of TCDM in realistic interpersonal contexts is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate neural substrates activated during TCDM using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).
• To compare brain activity between TCDM and individual separate decision-making (ISDM).
• To explore the influence of social environmental cues (incentive rewards) and sex on TCDM neural activity.

Main Methods:

• Dyads played a multi-person prisoner's dilemma game to model TCDM.
• Neural activity was measured using fNIRS.
• Analysis focused on brain activation patterns and interbrain synchrony (IBS).

Main Results:

• Distinct neural substrates differentiate TCDM from ISDM, modulated by incentive levels.
• Low rewards activated the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) in ISDM; TCDM engaged the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and middle frontopolar area.
• High rewards increased right IFG interbrain synchrony (IBS) during TCDM.
• Males showed higher DLPFC/middle frontopolar activation in ISDM; females exhibited higher right IFG IBS in TCDM.

Conclusions:

• Neural mechanisms for TCDM differ from ISDM and are sensitive to social context and sex.
• Males may rely more on non-social cognition for ISDM, while females utilize both social and non-social cognition for TCDM.
• Findings offer insights into the neuroscience of TCDM and sex-based decision-making strategies.