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Updated: Jan 8, 2026

Assessing the Multiple Dimensions of Engagement to Characterize Learning: A Neurophysiological Perspective
Published on: July 1, 2015
Moral belief updating (MBU) as a neurocognitive and communicative process: a multidimensional perspective
Katia Rovelli1,2, Michela Balconi1,2
1International research center for Cognitive Applied Neuroscience (IrcCAN), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy.
None:
This study investigates the neural correlates of MBU within dyadic moral communication, using a functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) hyperscanning paradigm. Thirty participants engaged in a structured exchange on a moral dilemma, assuming one of two roles: the facilitator and the adjuster. Hemodynamic activity was recorded across prefrontal channels. Results revealed a significant increase of oxygenated hemoglobin in right lateral prefrontal cortex activation (Ch4) in adjusters compared to facilitators, highlighting the role of this region in social metacognition, behavioral regulation, and high-level cognitive control during MBU. Exploratory correlations further indicated that facilitators' neural activation was associated by dispositional traits such as decision-making style, empathy, and conscientiousness. These findings highlight the role of interpersonal co-construction and individual meaning-making processes in influencing neurocognitive responses to moral discussions. The study presents a multidimensional model of MBU as a socially embedded, emotionally modulated, and cognitively demanding process, impacting moral and communication psychology and organizational ethics.
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