Abstract
IntroductionThe neural activity in response to ineffective joint actions was explored in the present study. Subjects involved in a cooperative but frustrating task (poor performance as manipulated by an external feedback) were required to cooperate (T1) during an attentional task in a way to synchronize their responses and obtain better outcomes.MethodsWe manipulated their strategies by providing false feedbacks (T2) signaling the incapacity to create a synergy, which was reinforced by a general negative evaluation halfway through the game. A control condition was provided (no cooperation required, T0) as well as a check for possible learning effect (time series analysis). The effects of the feedback in modulating subjects' behavioral performance and electrocortical activity were explored by means of brain oscillations (delta, theta, alpha, beta) and autonomic activity (heart rate, HR; skin conductance activity, SCR).ResultsResults showed a specific pattern of behavioral, neural, and peripheral responses after the social feedback. In fact, within this condition, worse behavioral outcomes emerged, with longer response times with respect to the prefeedback one. In parallel, a specific right‐lateralized effect was observed over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), with increased delta and theta power compared to the previous condition. Moreover, increased SCR was observed with respect to the first part.ConclusionsTwo interpretations are put forward to explain the present findings: 1) the contribution of negative emotions in response to failing interactions or 2) a motivational disengagement toward goal‐oriented cooperation elicited by frustrating evaluations.
Highlights
The neural activity in response to ineffective joint actions was explored in the present study
It may increase the sense of self-efficacy, a general social well-being, interpersonal relationships, and the perception of higher social positions (Balconi & Pagani, 2015; Chung, Yun, & Jeong, 2015; Cui, Bryant, & Reiss, 2012; Funane et al, 2011; Goldman, Stockbauer, & McAuliffe, 1977)
The more arousing condition should significantly modulate the autonomic behavior with a general higher heart rate (HR) and skin conductance response (SCR)
Summary
The term cooperation refers to collaborative actions involving two or more individuals finalized to obtain common behavioral effects. A second possibility to predict behavioral and brain response in the case of failure could be more directly related to the emotional impact of an ineffective cooperation, where subjects may develop negative and withdrawal emotions toward their own partner due to the inefficacy of the joint action This should involve some more prefrontal lateralized areas related to the effect of an emotional empathic response. A more emotionally directed perspective foresees the implication of different and selective areas of the PFC, with a specific lateralization effect within the right hemisphere in response to a significant negative emotional effect, related to a social situation perceived as frustrating and uncertain from a relational point of view In this last case, the more arousing condition should significantly modulate the autonomic behavior with a general higher HR and SCR. The behavioral performance should be affected by negative feedback, with an increased cognitive difficulty to manage the synchronized strategy
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