The Neural Bases of Framing Effects in Social Dilemmas

Julian Macoveanu, Thomas Ramsøy, Martin Skov, Hartwig Roman Siebner, Toke Reinholt Fosgaard

Abstract

Human behavior in social dilemmas is strongly framed by the social context, but the
mechanisms underlying this framing effect remains poorly understood. To identify the
behavioral and neural responses mediating framing of social interactions, subjects
underwent functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging while playing a Prisoners
Dilemma game. In separate neuroimaging sessions, the game was either framed as a
cooperation game or a competition game. Social decisions where subjects were
affected by the frame engaged the hippocampal formation, precuneus, dorsomedial
prefrontal cortex and lateral temporal gyrus. Among these regions, the engagement of
the left hippocampus was further modulated by individual differences in empathy.
Social decisions not adhering to the frame were associated with stronger engagement
of the angular gyrus and trend increases in lateral orbitofrontal cortex, posterior
intraparietal cortex, and temporopolar cortex. Our findings provide the first insight
into the mechanisms underlying framing of behavior in social dilemmas, indicating
increased engagement of the hippocampus and neocortical areas involved in memory,
social reasoning and mentalizing when subjects make decisions that conform to the
imposed social frame
OriginalsprogEngelsk
Sider1-28
Antal sider28
StatusUdgivet - nov. 2015

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