Dialectical Thinking Is Linked With Smaller Left Nucleus Accumbens and Right Amygdala

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Neuroimaging

Background:

• Thinking styles influence emotional experiences and behaviors.
• Neurobiological correlates of cognitive styles are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the behavioral and neural correlates of holistic thinking.
• To examine the relationship between holistic thinking, reward sensitivity, and brain structures (amygdala, nucleus accumbens).

Main Methods:

• Assessed holistic thinking tendency using the triad task.
• Measured reward sensitivity via the Sensitivity to Punishment and Reward Questionnaire (SPSRQ).
• Analyzed amygdala and nucleus accumbens volumes and resting-state functional connectivity (FC) using MRI.

Main Results:

• High holistic thinkers showed lower reward sensitivity than low holistic thinkers.
• Individuals with high holistic thinking had smaller bilateral nucleus accumbens and right amygdala volumes.
• Holistic thinking tendency negatively predicted left nucleus accumbens and right amygdala volume.
• Increased FC was observed between the left nucleus accumbens and bilateral amygdala in high holistic thinkers.

Conclusions:

• Holistic thinking is associated with reduced reward-seeking behavior.
• Distinct neural signatures, including reduced nucleus accumbens and amygdala volumes and altered functional connectivity, characterize holistic thinking.
• These findings elucidate the emotion-related manifestations of thinking styles at both behavioral and neural levels.