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Updated: May 25, 2025
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How to Calculate and Validate Inter-brain Synchronization in a fNIRS Hyperscanning Study
Published on: September 8, 2021
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Neural synchronization and its impact on intergroup attitudes in dynamic interactions.
Yatian Lei1,2, Siyuan Liu1,2, Xinyuan Guo1,2
1School of Psychology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China.
Communications Biology
|February 26, 2025
Summary
Dynamic intergroup interactions reveal cooperation boosts positive attitudes by enhancing neural synchronization. Competition, however, decreases likability, with interaction sequence critically impacting outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Intergroup Relations
Background:
- Real-world interactions often involve dynamic shifts between competition and cooperation.
- Previous research largely isolated the study of competition or cooperation.
- Understanding transitions is crucial for intergroup dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of transitions between competition and cooperation on intergroup attitudes.
- To explore the neural mechanisms underlying these dynamic interactions.
- To examine the influence of interaction sequence on outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) hyperscanning.
- Recorded brain activity from 69 dyads during interactive tasks.
- Analyzed neural synchronization patterns and their correlation with attitudes.
Main Results:
- Cooperation increased neural synchronization in the right temporoparietal junction (rTPJ), fostering positive outgroup attitudes.
- Competition enhanced synchronization in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (rDLPFC), linked to reduced outgroup likability.
- Interaction sequence demonstrated a carryover effect; cooperation buffered later competition, while competition diminished subsequent cooperation's benefits.
Conclusions:
- Dynamic intergroup interactions significantly shape attitudes and neural processes.
- Cooperation shows potential in mitigating intergroup biases and improving relations.
- The sequence of competitive and cooperative encounters critically influences relationship development.
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