Activation of the default network during a theory of mind task predicts individual differences in agreeableness and social cognitive ability.

Social cognitive processes, such as emotion perception and empathy, allow humans to navigate complex social landscapes and are associated with specific neural systems. In particular, theory of mind (ToM), which refers to our ability to decipher the mental states of others, is related to the dorsal m...

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Published in:Cognitive, Affective & Behavioral Neuroscience Vol. 22; no. 2; pp. 383 - 403
Main Authors: Udochi, Aisha L., Blain, Scott D., Sassenberg, Tyler A., Burton, Philip C., Medrano, Leroy, DeYoung, Colin G.
Format: diagnostic images pictorial research tables/charts Journal Article
Published: Springer Nature Apr2022
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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      dt: Apr2022
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      pub: Springer Nature
      place: New York, New York
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        10.3758/s13415-021-00955-0
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        atl: Activation of the default network during a theory of mind task predicts individual differences in agreeableness and social cognitive ability.
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        au:
          Udochi, Aisha L.
          Blain, Scott D.
          Sassenberg, Tyler A.
          Burton, Philip C.
          Medrano, Leroy
          DeYoung, Colin G.
        affil: Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Elliott Hall, 75 E River Rd, 55455, Minneapolis, MN, United States
      sug:
        subj:
          Theory of Mind
          Social Cognition
          Brain Mapping
          Individuality
          Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex
          Human
          Emotions
          Perception
          Empathy
          Self Report
          Structural Equation Modeling
          Personality
          Neurosciences
      ab: Social cognitive processes, such as emotion perception and empathy, allow humans to navigate complex social landscapes and are associated with specific neural systems. In particular, theory of mind (ToM), which refers to our ability to decipher the mental states of others, is related to the dorsal medial prefrontal cortex and temporoparietal junction, which include portions of the default network. Both social cognition and the default network have been linked to the personality trait Agreeableness. We hypothesized that default network activity during a ToM task would positively predict social cognitive abilities and Agreeableness. In a 3T fMRI scanner, participants (N = 1050) completed a ToM task in which they observed triangles displaying random or social (i.e., human-like) movement. Participants also completed self-report measures of Agreeableness and tests of intelligence and social cognitive ability. In each participant, average blood oxygen level dependent responses were calculated for default network regions associated with social cognition, and structural equation modeling was used to test associations of personality and task performance with activation in those brain regions. Default network activation in the dorsal medial subsystem was greater for social versus random animations. Default network activation in response to social animations predicted better performance on social cognition tasks and, to a lesser degree, higher Agreeableness. Neural response to social stimuli in the default network may be associated with effective social processing and could have downstream effects on social interactions. We discuss theoretical and methodological implications of this work for social and personality neuroscience.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        diagnostic images
        pictorial
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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