Researchers at the University of Zurich tested more than 550 people in different game situations. Participants played a repeated rock-paper-scissors game against human or artificial opponents. The team led by Christian Ruff used a novel computational model to formalize the thought processes behind decisions. The model measured how strategically participants judged opponents and how much they updated those estimates after each round. The study found wide variation in how quickly people updated their beliefs.
Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, the study identified a brain network that became more active when participants revised their estimates. Key areas included the temporoparietal cortex (for thinking about others' thoughts), the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (for appraising social information), and the anterior insula with nearby ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (which reacted when expectations were wrong). The researchers reported that these activity patterns could predict how much a person adapted their estimates.
The prediction worked even for participants whose brain data had not yet been added to the model and was successful with almost 90% of participants. The authors say the approach could help assess social cognition and support development of therapies. The research appears in Nature Neuroscience.
Difficult words
- participant — a person who takes part in a studyparticipants
- computational model — a system of rules for computer analysis
- update — to change ideas after receiving new informationupdated
- estimate — a judgment or calculation about a likely valueestimates
- temporoparietal cortex — brain area for thinking about other people's thoughts
- dorsomedial prefrontal cortex — brain area that evaluates social information
- anterior insula — brain area that reacts to wrong expectations
- adapt — to change behaviour to fit new conditionsadapted
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How could using a computational model help researchers understand social decisions?
- The authors say the approach could support development of therapies. How might brain activity patterns help with that?
- Think of a time you changed your opinion about someone after new information. What made you change your view?
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