Effortless retaliation: the neural dynamics of interpersonal intentions in the Chicken Game using brain–computer interface. Issue 11 (12th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Yiwen; Lin, Yuxiao; Fu, Chao; Huang, Zhihua; Xiao, Shaobei; Yu, Rongjun
• Is Part Of: Social cognitive and affective neuroscience. Volume 16:Issue 11(2021)
• Page Start: 1138
• Page End: 1149
• Publication Date: 2021-05-12
• Subjects: cooperation -- Chicken Game -- brain–computer interface -- alpha event-related desynchronization; Neurosciences -- Periodicals; Cognitive neuroscience -- Periodicals; Neuropsychology -- Periodicals; 612.8205
• DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsab064
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1749-5016

Abstract

Abstract: The desire for retaliation is a common response across a majority of human societies. However, the neural mechanisms underlying aggression and retaliation remain unclear. Previous studies on social intentions are confounded by a low-level response-related brain activity. Using an Electroencephalogram (EEG)-based brain–computer interface combined with the Chicken Game, our study examined the neural dynamics of aggression and retaliation after controlling for nonessential response-related neural signals. Our results show that aggression is associated with reduced alpha event-related desynchronization (alpha-ERD), indicating reduced mental effort. Moreover, retaliation and tit-for-tat strategy use are also linked with smaller alpha-ERD. Our study provides a novel method to minimize motor confounds and demonstrates that choosing aggression and retaliation is less effortful in social conflicts.