Modulation of Mu suppression during visual perspective taking by social rejection.

Abstract

Perspective taking is crucial for maintaining positive relationship with others in social interaction. Previous studies have shown that perspective-taking ability can be modulated by the experience of social rejection. The present study examined event-related dynamics of Mu power (8-13 Hz) in the EEG at sensorimotor area while rejected individuals performing visual perspective taking task. The reaction time and accuracy results showed that social rejection impaired self-regulation and impulsive control. The sensorimotor Mu suppression was enhanced during late processing (400-800 ms) of visual perspective taking in rejection individuals. Specifically, social rejection motivated sensitivity to other's perspective compared to one's own perspective. These findings verify the model of social monitoring system and the cognitive deconstruction theory partially by experiment, and even extend previous studies with that Mu suppression for visual perspective taking can be modulated by social rejection.