Abstract
Why are we willing to help others? Recent behavioral work on episodic processes (i.e. the ability to represent an event that is specific in time and place) suggests that imagining and remembering scenes of helping a person in need increases intentions to help. Here, we provide insight into the cognitive and neural mechanisms that enhance prosocial intentions via episodic simulation and memory. In Experiment 1, we scanned participants using functional neuroimaging as they imagined and remembered helping episodes, and completed non-episodic control conditions accounting for exposure to the story of need and conceptual priming of helping. Analyses revealed that activity in the medial temporal lobe (MTL) subsystem, as well as the right temporoparietal junction (RTPJ) predicted the effect of conditions on the strength of prosocial intentions. In Experiment 2, we used transcranial magnetic stimulation to disrupt activity in the RTPJ, and better isolate the contribution of MTL subsystem to prosocial intentions. The effect of conditions on willingness to help remained even when activity in the RTPJ was disrupted, suggesting that activity in the MTL subsystem may primarily support this prosocial effect. It seems our willingness to help may be guided, in part, by how easily we can construct imagined and remembered helping episodes.
Highlights
Humans often collaborate, coordinate and help each other in times of need
Analyses revealed that activity in the medial temporal lobe (MTL) subsystem, as well as the right temporoparietal junction (RTPJ) predicted the effect of conditions on the strength of prosocial intentions
A large body of neuroimaging work (Addis et al, 2007; Szpunar et al, 2007; see Benoit & Schacter, 2015 for meta-analysis) and patient studies (Tulving, 1985; Klein et al, 2002; Hassabis et al, 2007; D’argembeau et al, 2008; Addis et al, 2009; Berryhill et al, 2010; de Vito et al, 2012; Race et al, 2011) has established that episodic simulation and memory recruit many of the same brain regions, including the medial temporal lobes (MTLs), medial prefrontal cortex, posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), lateral temporal cortex and lateral parietal cortex, commonly referred to as the default network (Raichle et al, 2001; Buckner and Carroll, 2007; Spreng et al, 2009)
Summary
Coordinate and help each other in times of need. Research in social neuroscience and psychology has focused on investigating how the processes underlying our perceptions of people in need, their mental states and our subsequent emotional reactions contribute to prosociality (Coke et al, 1978; Decety, 2005; Singer and Lamm, 2009; Batson, 2011; Rameson et al, 2012; Waytz et al, 2012; Zaki and Ochsner, 2012; Marsh, 2016). A large body of neuroimaging work (Addis et al, 2007; Szpunar et al, 2007; see Benoit & Schacter, 2015 for meta-analysis) and patient studies (Tulving, 1985; Klein et al, 2002; Hassabis et al, 2007; D’argembeau et al, 2008; Addis et al, 2009; Berryhill et al, 2010; de Vito et al, 2012; Race et al, 2011) has established that episodic simulation and memory recruit many of the same brain regions, including the medial temporal lobes (MTLs), medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), lateral temporal cortex and lateral parietal cortex, commonly referred to as the default network (Raichle et al, 2001; Buckner and Carroll, 2007; Spreng et al, 2009) This network is comprised of dissociable subsystems (i.e. the core, dMPFC and MTL subsystems) that show different patterns of connectivity at rest and support different component processes (Andrews-Hanna et al, 2010; Andrews-Hanna et al, 2014). The present study sought to investigate the neural basis of the prosocial effect of episodic processes and gain insight into the underlying mechanism
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
