Abstract
Why do humans cooperate and often punish norm violations of others? In the present study, we sought to investigate the genetic bases of altruistic punishment (AP), which refers to the costly punishment of norm violations with potential benefit for other individuals. Recent evidence suggests that norm violations and unfairness are indexed by the feedback-related negativity (FRN), an anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) generated neural response to expectancy violations. Given evidence on the role of serotonin and dopamine in AP as well as in FRN-generation, we explored the impact of genetic variation of serotonin and dopamine function on FRN and AP behavior in response to unfair vs. fair monetary offers in a Dictator Game (DG) with punishment option. In a sample of 45 healthy participants we observed larger FRN amplitudes to unfair DG assignments both for 7-repeat allele carriers of the dopamine D4 receptor (DRD4) exon III polymorphism and for l/l-genotype carriers of the serotonin transporter gene-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLRP). Moreover, 5-HTTLPR l/l-genotype carriers punished unfair offers more strongly. These findings support the role of serotonin and dopamine in AP, potentially via their influence on neural mechanisms implicated in the monitoring of expectancy violations and their relation to impulsive and punishment behavior.
Highlights
In recent years, theoretical and empirical work has advanced knowledge about the behavioral and neuronal underpinnings of altruistic punishment (AP), a type of punishment behavior that is frequently expressed in the face of social norm violation, non-cooperation and unfairness
Using a modified version of the Dictator Game (DG), we found that genetic variation in the catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene (COMT Val158Met) predicted higher punishment-related nucleus accumbens activation in Met-allele carriers that presumably exhibited higher synaptic dopamine availability[7]
We addressed the role of genetic variation in key system components of DA (DRD4 Exon III) and 5-HT (5-HTTLPR) in AP
Summary
Theoretical and empirical work has advanced knowledge about the behavioral and neuronal underpinnings of altruistic punishment (AP), a type of punishment behavior that is frequently expressed in the face of social norm violation, non-cooperation and unfairness. A recent study of Brethel-Haurwitz and colleagues[24] found no differences in punishment behavior between highly altruistic participants (kidney donors) and controls and concluded in suggesting that altruistic punishment may better be termed costly punishment to avoid the connotation that this behavior is predominantly driven by altruistic motives In accordance with such findings, one of the few studies that addressed the impact of neuromodulators in AP showed that pharmacological manipulation of central serotonin availability via tryptophan depletion predicts AP25. In addition to the key role of DA signaling, recent theorizing proposes a serotonergic contribution to negative prediction errors This is due to its role in modulating aversive and punishment signals and in acting as a potential motivational opponent to DA signaling[26, 59], thereby presumably affecting feedback processing and FRN amplitudes
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.
