Abstract
Aggressive behavior is modulated by many factors, including personality and cognition, as well as endocrine and neural changes. To study the potential effects on the reaction to provocation, which was realized by an ostensible opponent subtracting money from the participant, we administered testosterone (T) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) or a respective placebo (PL). Forty males underwent a functional magnetic resonance imaging session while performing a provocation paradigm. We investigated differential hormone effects and the potential influence of Machiavellian traits on punishment choices (monetary subtractions by the participant) in the paradigm. Participants in the T/AVP group subtracted more money when they were not provoked but showed increased activation in the inferior frontal gyrus and inferior parietal lobule during feedback compared to PL. Higher Machiavellian traits significantly increased punishing behavior independent of provocation only in this group. The pilot study shows that T/AVP affects neural and behavioral responses during a provocation paradigm while personality characteristics, such as Machiavellian trait patterns, specifically interact with hormonal influences (T/AVP) and their effects on behavior.
Highlights
IntroductionAggression can be divided into in reactive (impulsive, emotional) and proactive (instrumental, cold) types [1], while other categorizations have been suggested as well
Aggression can be divided into in reactive and proactive types [1], while other categorizations have been suggested as well
In a standardized experimental aggression paradigm, the Taylor Aggression Paradigm (TAP), provocation has been associated with increased activity in the rostral ACC, the anterior insula [4], or the mediofrontal gyrus [5]
Summary
Aggression can be divided into in reactive (impulsive, emotional) and proactive (instrumental, cold) types [1], while other categorizations have been suggested as well. Despite these associations of neural alterations in response to hormone administration and partly simultaneous observations of behavioral changes, it is important to notice that hormones do not necessarily activate a brain region, thereby initiating a certain behavior Instead, they might prepare an organism to react to a specific context [19], which may lead to different neural and behavioral effects. Brain Sci. 2021, 11, 1623 supporting social recognition [27], and activity in the medial prefrontal cortex–amygdala circuitry involved in emotional regulation [28] as well as reciprocated cooperation [29] Both AVP and T potentially affect similar brain networks, including prefrontal regions, the amygdala, and the hypothalamus. Both hormones might prepare the organism to react with enhanced aggression depending on the context. Since behavior in the TAP may vary depending on the belief in the cover story (if the opponent was real), this was investigated as an additional factor
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