Neural correlates of receiving an apology

Abstract

Interpersonal conflicts are a common element of many social relationships. One process that can rebuild social relationships is forgiveness. Behavioral studies indicate that the decision to forgive is strongly influenced by apologies. However, the neural bases of receiving an apology and forgiveness are still unknown. Hence, the aim of the present fMRI study was to investigate brain areas involved in active forgiveness of an ambiguous offense and receiving an apology. In a behavioral experiment participants were asked to make decisions, which were either positive or negative for the participants of the subsequent fMRI experiment. In case of negative decisions participants of the behavioral experiment could send an apology message to the participants of the fMRI experiment. Participants of the fMRI experiment first received the decisions of participants from the behavioral experiment. Afterwards they received a message about whether participants of the first experiment apologized or not after a negative decision and were asked whether they wanted to forgive participants of the first experiment. We found that receiving an apology yielded activation in the left inferior frontal gyrus, the left medial temporal gyrus, the superior part of the left temporal pole and the left temporo parietal junction. These findings indicate an involvement of empathy in receiving an apology. Forgiving judgments activated the right temporo parietal junction.