Scientists have found a brain area which “decides” whether to be honest or pursue selfish interests.
Researchers from the University of Zurich found in the brain area which “decides” whether to be honest or pursue selfish interests. Using non-invasive electrical stimulation, scientists have been able to make a person more likely to tell the truth. Article of neuroscientists published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, briefly about it it is told on the website MedicalXpress.
The experiment involved 145 volunteers. Subjects were divided into groups of 10-12 people each. They had to perform a series of tasks designed to assess fair and selfish behavior. So, the participants threw 10 times hex the bone and reported on the results of the shots. However, three specific numbers (e.g. 1, 4, 6) were winning, and for them the premium paid in the amount of nine Swiss francs (us $ 0.99). Although the actions of the participants are hidden from observation, you can understand whether they are cheating, comparing the actual number of winning shots that should be in theory (50 percent of all throws).
During task execution 49 volunteers have conducted anodic stimulation of the brain, which causes depolarization of the neurons, and the other 49 — the cathode, which can reduce excitability of cells. The remaining 47 participants spent about stimulation, in which electrical effects on neurons. It was stimulated the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex region of the brain, the activity of which is associated with honest behavior.
The results of the experiment showed that the increased excitability of neurons during anodic stimulation of this area provoked a penchant for honest behavior. However, scientists emphasize that the stimulation does not affect those people who deliberately seek to maximise their benefits. Furthermore, additional experiments showed that it does not prevent people “to lie for the benefit of” when the benefit received by the other person.
© 2017, paradox. All rights reserved.