Competition in the Brain. The Contribution of EEG and fNIRS Modulation and Personality Effects in Social Ranking.

Michela Balconi,Maria E Vanutelli

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01587

Abstract

In the present study, the social ranking perception in competition was explored. Brain response (alpha band oscillations, EEG; hemodynamic activity, O2Hb), as well as self-perception of social ranking, cognitive performance, and personality trait (Behavioral Activation System, BAS) were considered during a competitive joint-action. Subjects were required to develop a strategy to obtain a better outcome than a competitor (C) (in term of error rate, and response time, RT). A pre-feedback (without a specific feedback on the performance) and a post-feedback condition (which reinforced the improved performance) were provided. It was found that higher-BAS participants responded in greater measure to perceived higher cognitive performance (post-feedback condition), with increased left prefrontal activity, higher ranking perception, and a better real performance (reduced RTs). These results were explained in term of increased sense of self-efficacy and social position, probably based on higher-BAS sensitivity to reinforcing conditions. In addition, the hemispheric effect in favor of the left side characterized the competitive behavior, showing an imbalance for high-BAS in comparison to low-BAS in the case of a rewarding (post-feedback) context. Therefore, the present results confirmed the significance of BAS in modulating brain responsiveness, self-perceived social position, and real performance during an interpersonal competitive action which is considered highly relevant for social status.

Highlights

The effect of a competitive task in the brain was recently explored by different perspectives (Cui et al, 2015; Liu et al, 2015)
The present research intended to explore the effect of personality components and brain correlates in social ranking perception during a cognitive task which included a competitive joint-action and where a performance-based feedback was provided
A first result was related to the systematic prefrontal cortex (PFC) response to social ranking perception during competition

Summary

Introduction

The effect of a competitive task in the brain was recently explored by different perspectives (Cui et al, 2015; Liu et al, 2015). Previous research suggested an important role for social interactions and self-perception in achieving accurate self-knowledge and self-improvement, in response to performance-related social comparisons. It was shown, that social status perception reciprocally affects performance on tasks that involve comparing our own performance with that of others (Munafò et al, 2005): in other words, the specific analysis of the social status in the context of performance-based feedback may act on the real subjective performance by improving or decreasing the subject’s cognitive behavior (Munafò et al, 2005). The subject pays for his/her better performance in terms of “being less socially part of.”

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