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Yan ZX, He Z, Jiang LH, Zou X. Age-related trajectories of the development of social cognition. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1348781. [PMID: 38711752 PMCID: PMC11071648 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1348781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Age-related trajectories of intrinsic functional connectivity (iFC), which represent the interconnections between discrete regions of the human brain, for processes related to social cognition (SC) provide evidence for social development through neural imaging and can guide clinical interventions when such development is atypical. However, due to the lack of studies investigating brain development over a wide range of ages, the neural mechanisms of SC remain poorly understood, although considerable behavior-related evidence is available. The present study mapped vortex-wise iFC features between SC networks and the entire cerebral cortex by using common functional networks, creating the corresponding age-related trajectories. Three networks [moral cognition, theory of mind (ToM), and empathy] were selected as representative SC networks. The Enhanced Nathan Kline Institute-Rockland Sample (NKI-RS, N = 316, ages 8-83 years old) was employed delineate iFC characteristics and construct trajectories. The results showed that the SC networks display unique and overlapping iFC profiles. The iFC of the empathy network, an age-sensitive network, with dorsal attention network was found to exhibit a linear increasing pattern, that of the ventral attention network was observed to exhibit a linear decreasing pattern, and that of the somatomotor and dorsal attention networks was noted to exhibit a quadric-concave iFC pattern. Additionally, a sex-specific effect was observed for the empathy network as it exhibits linear and quadric sex-based differences in iFC with the frontoparietal and vision networks, respectively. The iFC of the ToM network with the ventral attention network exhibits a pronounced quadric-convex (inverted U-shape) trajectory. No linear or quadratic trajectories were noted in the iFC of the moral cognition network. These findings indicate that SC networks exhibit iFC with both low-level (somatomotor, vision) and high-level (attention and control) networks along specific developmental trajectories. The age-related trajectories determined in this study advance our understanding of the neural mechanisms of SC, providing valuable references for identification and intervention in cases of development of atypical SC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Xiong Yan
- Guangxi Center of Developmental Population Neuroscience, Nanning Normal University, Nanning, China
| | - Zhe He
- Guangxi Center of Developmental Population Neuroscience, Nanning Normal University, Nanning, China
| | - Ling-Hui Jiang
- Guangxi Center of Developmental Population Neuroscience, Nanning Normal University, Nanning, China
| | - Xia Zou
- Continuing Education School, Guangxi College for Preschool Education, Nanning, China
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Aslamzai M, Del D, Sajid SA. The Impact of Negative Moral Character on Health and the Role of Spirituality: A Narrative Literature Review. JOURNAL OF RELIGION AND HEALTH 2024; 63:1117-1153. [PMID: 38091205 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-023-01942-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Although negative moral character is highly prevalent, it is not included in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). Along with the modification of WHO ICD-11, spirituality should be acknowledged for its potetnial role in the prevention of negative moral traits. This study aimed to explore the effects of negative moral character on health and determine the role of spirituality in improving negative moral traits. This narrative literature review was conducted from 2020 to 2023 in Kabul, Afghanistan. The articles were obtained from the Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases. As demonstrated in this narrative literature review, most of the relevant experimental and observational studies have found that negative moral character can have significant negative impact on overall health and well-being. Many studies have established the positive role of spirituality in improving negative moral character. These studies concluded that facilities must be available within schools, universities, and communities for everyone to gain knowledge of spirituality and improve their negative moral character. Considering the adverse impacts of negative moral character on health, the current study proposes the addition of moral disorder to the WHO International Classification of Diseases. According to this literature review, spirituality will improve negative moral character and strengthen excellent moral traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mansoor Aslamzai
- Department of Neonatology, Kabul University of Medical Sciences (KUMS), Kabul, Afghanistan.
| | - Delaqa Del
- Department of Medicine, Nangarhar Medical Faculty, Jalalabad, Afghanistan
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He L, Liu J, Fan Y, Leng J, Wang Q, Yang C, zhang R, Guo W, Zhang J, Gong P. The OXTR rs53576 Impacts Moral Permissibility of Attempted but Failed Harms in Populations of Students and Prisoners. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2022; 17:923-928. [PMID: 35275212 PMCID: PMC9527464 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsac015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous research has highlighted the roles of oxytocin in empathy and altruistic behaviors. Based on these findings, recent studies have examined the association between the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) and outcome-based moral judgment with sacrificial dilemmas (e.g. runaway trolley case). However, little is known about the relationships between OXTR polymorphisms and intent-based moral judgment of harms (e.g. attempted but failed harm or intentionally committed harm). This study investigated the association between the OXTR rs53576 and intent-based moral judgment in college students (N = 544) and prisoners (N = 540). Results indicated that both students and prisoners with the GG genotype of OXTR rs53576 rated attempted but failed harm as less permissible than those with the AA and AG genotypes. These findings highlight the role of the OXTR gene in intent-based moral judgment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linlin He
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Animal Conservation, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
| | - Jinting Liu
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Yuhe Fan
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
| | - Junhui Leng
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Quanhe Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
| | - Cuimei Yang
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Rui zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
| | - Wenxuan Guo
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
| | - Jieting Zhang
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Pingyuan Gong
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Animal Conservation, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
- College of Medicine, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
- Institute of Population and Health, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
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Herpers PCM, Neumann JEC, Staal WG. Treatment Refractory Internalizing Behaviour Across Disorders: An Aetiological Model for Severe Emotion Dysregulation in Adolescence. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 2021; 52:515-532. [PMID: 32748274 PMCID: PMC8113221 DOI: 10.1007/s10578-020-01036-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Auto-aggressive behaviour, especially treatment refractory suicidality in adolescents with psychiatric disorders, may be challenging to clinicians. In search of therapeutic possibilities, we have integrated current opinions regarding causality and interdependency of suicidality and auto-aggressive behaviour across disorders within the HiTOP framework. We propose a developmental model regarding these unsettling behaviours in youths that may help to guide future directions for research and interventions. We argue that the interdependent development of biologic factors, attachment, moral reasoning and emotion regulation in an overprotective environment may lead to social anxiety and later during development to emotion dysregulation and severe internalizing behaviour disorders. To optimize treatment efficacy for both internalizing and externalizing behaviour, we emphasize the importance transdiagnostic interventions, such as addressing non-compliance, restoration of trust between parents and their child, and limitation of avoidance behaviour. These may be seen as higher order interventions within the HiTOP framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre C M Herpers
- Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Centre, Reinier Postlaan 12, Nijmegen, 6525 GC, The Netherlands.
- Department of Psychiatry, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, Kapittelweg 29, Nijmegen, 6525 EN, The Netherlands.
| | - Josephine E C Neumann
- Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Centre, Reinier Postlaan 12, Nijmegen, 6525 GC, The Netherlands
| | - Wouter G Staal
- Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Centre, Reinier Postlaan 12, Nijmegen, 6525 GC, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Radboud University Medical Centre, Geert Grooteplein 10, Nijmegen, 6525 GA, The Netherlands
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Postzone C2-5, P.O. Box 9600, Leiden, 2300 RC, The Netherlands
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Balconi M, Fronda G. Morality and management: an oxymoron? fNIRS and neuromanagement perspective explain us why things are not like this. COGNITIVE, AFFECTIVE & BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2020; 20:1336-1348. [PMID: 33123863 PMCID: PMC7716886 DOI: 10.3758/s13415-020-00841-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The neuroscience interest for moral decision-making has recently increased. To investigate the processes underlying moral behavior, this research aimed to investigate neurophysiological and behavioral correlates of decision-making in moral contexts. Specifically, functional Near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) allowed to record oxygenated (O2Hb) and deoxygenated (HHb) cerebral hemoglobin concentrations during different moral conditions (professional fit, company fit, social fit) and offers types (fair, unfair, neutral). Moreover, individuals' responses to offers types and reaction time (RTs) were considered. Specifically, from hemodynamic results emerged a difference in O2Hb and HHb activity according to moral conditions and offers types in different brain regions. In particular, O2Hb increase and a HHb decrease were observed in ventromedial and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (VMPFC, DLPFC) for fair offers in professional fit condition and in superior temporal sulcus (STS) for unfair offers in social fit condition. Moreover, an increase of left O2Hb activity in professional fit condition and in right VMPFC for unfair offers in company fit condition was observed. In addition, from behavioral results, an RTs increase in company and social fit condition for fair and unfair offers emerged. This study, therefore, shows the behavioral and neurophysiological correlates of moral decision-making that guide moral behavior in different context, such as company one.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Balconi
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan, Italy
- Research Unit in Affective and Social Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Fronda
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan, Italy.
- Research Unit in Affective and Social Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan, Italy.
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Abstract
Over the past 150 years, the frontal lobes (FLs) have been implicated in the neural mediation of both normal and abnormal moral conduct and social behavior (MCSB). Despite the remarkable advances that have permeated this period up to the present, a comprehensive account of the neural underpinnings of MCSB has stubbornly defied the best minds of psychology, psychiatry, and neurology. The goal of this chapter is to review a few practical and conceptual achievements that have proved heuristically valuable as an impetus for further advance of knowledge. In virtually all cases in which MCSB was compromised by brain damage, the injuries were located (i) in the prefrontal cortices, (ii) in their connections with the temporal poles and anterior insula, or (iii) in related subcortical structures and pathways, such as the thalamic dorsomedial nucleus or the anterior thalamic radiation. The clinicoanatomic associations among these structures originated the "frontal network systems" concept, which satisfactorily explains the occurrence of classical FL syndromes in patients with lesions outside the prefrontal cortices. Overall, clinicoanatomic observational studies and experimental evidence from patients with acquired sociopathy/psychopathy indicate that abnormalities of MCSB are the final common pathway of single or mixed impairments of subordinate psychologic and neural domains that support MCSB. Independent studies on normal volunteers concur with this view, indicating that MCSB is shaped by the dynamic interplay of subordinate psychologic domains, such as moral sensitivity and judgment, and their neural correlates.
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Ho CS, Quek TC, Ho RC, Choo CC. Terrorism and mental illness: a pragmatic approach for the clinician. BJPSYCH ADVANCES 2019. [DOI: 10.1192/bja.2018.49] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARYTerrorism is a complex problem that is highly relevant in contemporary society, underscoring the need for greater understanding as well as cross-disciplinary and international research in this area. Controversies surround potential associations between mental illness and terrorism, many due to the limited and conflicting existing research, and mental health professionals’ duties to their patients versus society and the state. In this article, we review the literature, discuss clinical implications and the role of psychiatrists in anti-terrorism efforts. We also propose a simplified framework that may be incorporated into clinical practice to screen for potential terrorist tendencies.LEARNING OBJECTIVES•Understand the landscape and recent advances in the research of terrorism•Appreciate the importance and role of mental health professionals in preventing patients from engaging in terrorist activities•Understand how to assess risk of patients engaging in terrorist activitiesDECLARATION OF INTERESTNone.
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Herpertz SC. Empathie und Persönlichkeitsstörungen aus neurobiologischer Sicht. FORENSISCHE PSYCHIATRIE PSYCHOLOGIE KRIMINOLOGIE 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s11757-018-0480-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Ibáñez A, García AM, Esteves S, Yoris A, Muñoz E, Reynaldo L, Pietto ML, Adolfi F, Manes F. Social neuroscience: undoing the schism between neurology and psychiatry. Soc Neurosci 2018; 13:1-39. [PMID: 27707008 PMCID: PMC11177280 DOI: 10.1080/17470919.2016.1245214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Multiple disorders once jointly conceived as "nervous diseases" became segregated by the distinct institutional traditions forged in neurology and psychiatry. As a result, each field specialized in the study and treatment of a subset of such conditions. Here we propose new avenues for interdisciplinary interaction through a triangulation of both fields with social neuroscience. To this end, we review evidence from five relevant domains (facial emotion recognition, empathy, theory of mind, moral cognition, and social context assessment), highlighting their common disturbances across neurological and psychiatric conditions and discussing their multiple pathophysiological mechanisms. Our proposal is anchored in multidimensional evidence, including behavioral, neurocognitive, and genetic findings. From a clinical perspective, this work paves the way for dimensional and transdiagnostic approaches, new pharmacological treatments, and educational innovations rooted in a combined neuropsychiatric training. Research-wise, it fosters new models of the social brain and a novel platform to explore the interplay of cognitive and social functions. Finally, we identify new challenges for this synergistic framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agustín Ibáñez
- a Laboratory of Experimental Psychology and Neuroscience (LPEN), Institute of Cognitive and Translational Neuroscience (INCyT), INECO Foundation , Favaloro University , Buenos Aires , Argentina
- b National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET) , Buenos Aires , Argentina
- c Center for Social and Cognitive Neuroscience (CSCN), School of Psychology , Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez , Santiago de Chile , Chile
- d Universidad Autónoma del Caribe , Barranquilla , Colombia
- e Centre of Excellence in Cognition and its Disorders , Australian Research Council (ACR) , Sydney , Australia
| | - Adolfo M García
- a Laboratory of Experimental Psychology and Neuroscience (LPEN), Institute of Cognitive and Translational Neuroscience (INCyT), INECO Foundation , Favaloro University , Buenos Aires , Argentina
- b National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET) , Buenos Aires , Argentina
- f Faculty of Elementary and Special Education (FEEyE) , National University of Cuyo (UNCuyo) , Mendoza , Argentina
| | - Sol Esteves
- a Laboratory of Experimental Psychology and Neuroscience (LPEN), Institute of Cognitive and Translational Neuroscience (INCyT), INECO Foundation , Favaloro University , Buenos Aires , Argentina
| | - Adrián Yoris
- a Laboratory of Experimental Psychology and Neuroscience (LPEN), Institute of Cognitive and Translational Neuroscience (INCyT), INECO Foundation , Favaloro University , Buenos Aires , Argentina
- b National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET) , Buenos Aires , Argentina
| | - Edinson Muñoz
- g Departamento de Lingüística y Literatura, Facultad de Humanidades , Universidad de Santiago de Chile , Santiago , Chile
| | - Lucila Reynaldo
- a Laboratory of Experimental Psychology and Neuroscience (LPEN), Institute of Cognitive and Translational Neuroscience (INCyT), INECO Foundation , Favaloro University , Buenos Aires , Argentina
| | | | - Federico Adolfi
- a Laboratory of Experimental Psychology and Neuroscience (LPEN), Institute of Cognitive and Translational Neuroscience (INCyT), INECO Foundation , Favaloro University , Buenos Aires , Argentina
| | - Facundo Manes
- a Laboratory of Experimental Psychology and Neuroscience (LPEN), Institute of Cognitive and Translational Neuroscience (INCyT), INECO Foundation , Favaloro University , Buenos Aires , Argentina
- b National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET) , Buenos Aires , Argentina
- e Centre of Excellence in Cognition and its Disorders , Australian Research Council (ACR) , Sydney , Australia
- i Department of Experimental Psychology , University of South Carolina , Columbia , SC , USA
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Garrigan B, Adlam ALR, Langdon PE. The neural correlates of moral decision-making: A systematic review and meta-analysis of moral evaluations and response decision judgements. Brain Cogn 2017; 108:88-97. [PMID: 27566002 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandc.2016.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2016] [Revised: 07/14/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The aims of this systematic review were to determine: (a) which brain areas are consistently more active when making (i) moral response decisions, defined as choosing a response to a moral dilemma, or deciding whether to accept a proposed solution, or (ii) moral evaluations, defined as judging the appropriateness of another's actions in a moral dilemma, rating moral statements as right or wrong, or identifying important moral issues; and (b) shared and significantly different activation patterns for these two types of moral judgements. A systematic search of the literature returned 28 experiments. Activation likelihood estimate analysis identified the brain areas commonly more active for moral response decisions and for moral evaluations. Conjunction analysis revealed shared activation for both types of moral judgement in the left middle temporal gyrus, cingulate gyrus, and medial frontal gyrus. Contrast analyses found no significant clusters of increased activation for the moral evaluations-moral response decisions contrast, but found that moral response decisions additionally activated the left and right middle temporal gyrus and the right precuneus. Making one's own moral decisions involves different brain areas compared to judging the moral actions of others, implying that these judgements may involve different processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beverley Garrigan
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, United Kingdom
| | - Anna L R Adlam
- School of Psychology, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Peter E Langdon
- Tizard Centre, University of Kent, United Kingdom; Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust - Norfolk, United Kingdom.
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Clavien C, Mersch DP, Chapuisat M. No Evidence for Moral Reward and Punishment in an Anonymous Context. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0150388. [PMID: 26939060 PMCID: PMC4777527 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0150388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2015] [Accepted: 02/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Human social interactions are regulated by moral norms that define individual obligations and rights. These norms are enforced by punishment of transgressors and reward of followers. Yet, the generality and strength of this drive to punish or reward is unclear, especially when people are not personally involved in the situation and when the actual impact of their sanction is only indirect, i.e., when it diminishes or promotes the social status of the punished or rewarded individual. In a real-life study, we investigated if people are inclined to anonymously punish or reward a person for her past deeds in a different social context. Participants from three socio-professional categories voted anonymously for early career violinists in an important violin competition. We found that participants did not punish an immoral violin candidate, nor did they reward another hyper-moral candidate. On the contrary, one socio-professional category sanctioned hyper-morality. Hence, salient moral information about past behavior did not elicit punishment or reward in an impersonal situation where the impact of the sanction was indirect. We conclude that contextual features play an important role in human motivation to enforce moral norms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Clavien
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Danielle P Mersch
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Michel Chapuisat
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Van Hoeck N, Watson PD, Barbey AK. Cognitive neuroscience of human counterfactual reasoning. Front Hum Neurosci 2015; 9:420. [PMID: 26257633 PMCID: PMC4511878 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2015.00420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2015] [Accepted: 07/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Counterfactual reasoning is a hallmark of human thought, enabling the capacity to shift from perceiving the immediate environment to an alternative, imagined perspective. Mental representations of counterfactual possibilities (e.g., imagined past events or future outcomes not yet at hand) provide the basis for learning from past experience, enable planning and prediction, support creativity and insight, and give rise to emotions and social attributions (e.g., regret and blame). Yet remarkably little is known about the psychological and neural foundations of counterfactual reasoning. In this review, we survey recent findings from psychology and neuroscience indicating that counterfactual thought depends on an integrative network of systems for affective processing, mental simulation, and cognitive control. We review evidence to elucidate how these mechanisms are systematically altered through psychiatric illness and neurological disease. We propose that counterfactual thinking depends on the coordination of multiple information processing systems that together enable adaptive behavior and goal-directed decision making and make recommendations for the study of counterfactual inference in health, aging, and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Van Hoeck
- Psychology and Educational Sciences, Vrije Universiteit BrusselBrussels, Belgium
| | - Patrick D. Watson
- Decision Neuroscience Laboratory, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of IllinoisUrbana, IL, USA
| | - Aron K. Barbey
- Decision Neuroscience Laboratory, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of IllinoisUrbana, IL, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of IllinoisChampaign, IL, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of IllinoisChampaign, IL, USA
- Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of IllinoisChampaign, IL, USA
- Neuroscience Program, University of IllinoisChampaign, IL, USA
- Carle R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of IllinoisChampaign, IL, USA
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van der Gronde T, Kempes M, van El C, Rinne T, Pieters T. Neurobiological correlates in forensic assessment: a systematic review. PLoS One 2014; 9:e110672. [PMID: 25330208 PMCID: PMC4203816 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0110672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2014] [Accepted: 09/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND With the increased knowledge of biological risk factors, interest in including this information in forensic assessments is growing. Currently, forensic assessments are predominantly focused on psychosocial factors. A better understanding of the neurobiology of violent criminal behaviour and biological risk factors could improve forensic assessments. OBJECTIVE To provide an overview of the current evidence about biological risk factors that predispose people to antisocial and violent behaviour, and determine its usefulness in forensic assessment. METHODS A systematic literature search was conducted using articles from PsycINFO, Embase and Pubmed published between 2000 and 2013. RESULTS This review shows that much research on the relationship between genetic predisposition and neurobiological alterations with aggression is performed on psychiatric patients or normal populations. However, the number of studies comparing offenders is limited. There is still a great need to understand how genetic and neurobiological alterations and/or deficits are related to violent behaviour, specifically criminality. Most studies focus on only one of the genetic or neurobiological fields related to antisocial and/or violent behaviour. To reliably correlate the findings of these fields, a standardization of methodology is urgently needed. CONCLUSION Findings from the current review suggest that violent aggression, like all forms of human behaviour, both develops under specific genetic and environmental conditions, and requires interplay between these conditions. Violence should be considered as the end product of a chain of life events, during which risks accumulate and potentially reinforce each other, displaying or triggering a specific situation. This systematic review did not find evidence of predispositions or neurobiological alterations that solely explain antisocial or violent behaviour. With better designed studies, more correlation between diverse fields, and more standardisation, it might be possible to elucidate underlying mechanisms. Thus, we advocate maintaining the current case-by-case differentiated approach to evidence-based forensic assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toon van der Gronde
- Department of Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), and Freudenthal Institute, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Maaike Kempes
- Netherlands Institute of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology, Pieter Baan Center, Forensic Psychiatric Observation Clinic, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Carla van El
- Section Community Genetics, Department of Clinical Genetics and EMGO+, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Thomas Rinne
- Netherlands Institute of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology, Pieter Baan Center, Forensic Psychiatric Observation Clinic, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Toine Pieters
- Department of Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), and Freudenthal Institute, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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Cortical surface anatomy in pediatric patients with generalized anxiety disorder. J Anxiety Disord 2014; 28:717-23. [PMID: 25155256 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2014.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2013] [Revised: 07/05/2014] [Accepted: 07/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is established that pediatric patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) exhibit functional abnormalities and altered gray matter volumes in neural structures that subserve emotional processing, yet there are no data regarding the surface anatomy of the cerebral cortex in youth with GAD. METHODS Using an automated surface-based approach (FreeSurfer), cortical thickness was assessed node-by-node over the entire cerebral cortex in adolescents with GAD and no co-occurring major depressive disorder (n=13) and healthy subjects (n=19). RESULTS Compared with healthy adolescents, youth with GAD exhibited increased cortical thickness in the right inferolateral and ventromedial prefrontal cortex (i.e., inferior frontal gyrus), the left inferior and middle temporal cortex as well as the right lateral occipital cortex. No relationships were observed between cortical thickness and the severity of anxiety symptoms in the significant regions that were identified in the vertex-wise analysis. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that, in adolescents with GAD, abnormalities in cortical thickness are present in an ensemble of regions responsible for fear learning, fear extinction, reflective functioning (e.g., mentalization), and regulation of the amygdala.
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