Qualitative and quantitative differences between social and non-social cognition.

Abstract

Event Abstract Back to Event Qualitative and quantitative differences between social and non-social cognition. Dar Meshi1, 2*, Hauke R. Heekeren2, 3 and Guido Biele4 1 Humboldt Universität Berlin, Center for Integrative Life Sciences, Germany 2 Freie Universität Berlin, Department of Education and Psychology, Germany 3 Max Planck Institute, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Germany 4 University of Oslo, Department of Psychology, Norway Background: Are there dedicated neural substrates for cognitive processes related to social interaction with other humans? To answer this question, researchers have employed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to compare brain activity during social and non-social interaction (Adolphs, 2010). For example, interaction with humans can be contrasted with similar interaction with non-human machines like computers. This research has demonstrated differences in the blood-oxygen-level dependent (BOLD) signal between the two conditions. However, the categorical type of change seen in brain activity has not been clearly delineated in the literature. This is important, because qualitative BOLD differences provide the clearest evidence for dedicated neural substrates of social cognition. Thus, we set out to categorize the observed BOLD differences as either quantitative or qualitative. Method: We conducted an exhaustive pubmed search to find and then review fMRI papers that reported finding a difference in brain activation between interaction with humans and interaction with computers. Based on criteria proposed by Henson (2006) we classified results as showing no difference, a quantitative difference, or a qualitative difference between the two modes of interaction. The criteria for a quantitative difference consisted of a significant change in the BOLD signal in the same brain area between the human and non-human conditions. The criterion for a qualitative difference consisted of a significant interaction between experimental conditions and brain regions. Specifically, for two conditions (C1, C2) and two brain regions (R1, R2), three conditions needed to be met: (1) C1 and C2 must lead to significant activation both in R1 and R2. (2) C1 must lead to greater activation than C2 in R1. (3) C2 must lead to greater activation than C1 in R2. Result: This review found ample evidence for quantitative differences between the two modes; many papers reported significant differences in the same brain regions between the social and non-social conditions. However, we could not identify a single paper that demonstrated a qualitative difference in brain activation between social and non-social interaction. One caveat to our finding is that given the limited temporal and spatial resolution of fMRI, different neural substrates may actually appear as activation in the same region. Thus, a qualitative difference may appear as a quantitative one. Nevertheless, our analysis is valid given the current state of technology. We conclude our assessment by outlining an analysis strategy to identify qualitative differences between the neural substrates of interaction with humans and computers. References Adolphs, R. (2010) Conceptual challenges and directions for social neuroscience. Neuron. Mar 25;65(6):752-67. Henson, R. (2006) Forward inference using functional neuroimaging: dissociations versus associations. Trends Cogn Sci. Feb;10(2):64-9. Keywords: computer, fMRI analysis, social cognition Conference: Decision Neuroscience From Neurons to Societies, Berlin, Germany, 23 Sep - 25 Sep, 2010. Presentation Type: Poster Topic: Abstracts Citation: Meshi D, Heekeren HR and Biele G (2010). Qualitative and quantitative differences between social and non-social cognition.. Front. Neurosci. Conference Abstract: Decision Neuroscience From Neurons to Societies. doi: 10.3389/conf.fnins.2010.82.00036 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 19 Aug 2010; Published Online: 07 Sep 2010. * Correspondence: Dr. Dar Meshi, Humboldt Universität Berlin, Center for Integrative Life Sciences, Berlin, Germany, darmeshi@gmail.com Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Dar Meshi Hauke R Heekeren Guido Biele Google Dar Meshi Hauke R Heekeren Guido Biele Google Scholar Dar Meshi Hauke R Heekeren Guido Biele PubMed Dar Meshi Hauke R Heekeren Guido Biele Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.