Age differences in intuitive moral decision-making: Associations with inter-network neural connectivity.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology
• Gerontology

Background:

• Older adults (OAs) often hold positions requiring moral decision-making.
• Limited understanding exists regarding age-related differences in moral choices and brain organization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate age differences in moral decision-making styles.
• To explore the relationship between brain connectivity and moral decision-making in younger adults (YAs) and OAs.
• To examine the influence of choice intuitiveness on moral decision-making.

Main Methods:

• Recruited 117 YAs (mean age 22.11) and 82 OAs (mean age 67.54).
• Participants completed hypothetical moral dilemmas and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans.
• Analyzed functional connectivity within the default network and attention network.

Main Results:

• OAs were more prone to endorse deontological decisions when choices were intuitive compared to YAs.
• No significant age difference was observed for intuitive utilitarian decisions.
• Increased connectivity between the posterior medial default network (pmDN) and dorsal attention network, and reduced pmDN segregation, correlated with deontological-intuitive decision-making in OAs.

Conclusions:

• Age influences intuitive moral decision-making, with OAs showing a preference for deontological choices.
• Intrinsic brain connectivity patterns, specifically within the default and attention networks, are associated with age-related differences in moral decision-making.
• Findings enhance understanding of age-related decision-making styles and their neural underpinnings.