The default mode network in self- and other-referential processing: effect of cultural values

Abstract

Growing evidence shows culture-related differences in brain activity during self- and other-referential tasks. However, the effect of individual endorsement of cultural values on connectivity of the default mode network (DMN), the primary network associated with self-referential processing, during self- and other-referential tasks is virtually unexplored. We used self-report questionnaires to measure independent and interdependent self-construal and investigated the effect of cultural values on DMN functional connectivity during self and other trait adjective judgment task. The observed associations show that the endorsement of individualist values predisposes to a greater DMN involvement during self-processing and to its lesser involvement during close-other-processing, whereas the endorsement of collectivist values predisposes to a less active DMN engagement in self-processing and to its greater engagement in other-processing. This is in line with the notion that DMN is not specialized for self-processing, but rather is involved in more general cognitive processing related to social cognition and the degree of its involvement in self- versus other-processing is moderated by cultural value system.