Parsing the neural correlates of moral cognition: ALE meta-analysis on morality, theory of mind, and empathy
Open accessAbstract
Morally judicious behavior forms the fabric of human sociality. Here, we sought to investigate neural activity associated with different facets of moral thought. Previous research suggests that the cognitive and emotional sources of moral decisions might be closely related to theory of mind, an abstract-cognitive skill, and empathy, a rapid-emotional skill. That is, moral decisions are thought to crucially refer to other persons' representation of intentions and behavioral outcomes as well as (vicariously experienced) emotional states. We thus hypothesized that moral decisions might be implemented in brain areas engaged in 'theory of mind' and empathy. This assumption was tested by conducting a large-scale activation likelihood estimation (ALE) meta-analysis of neuroimaging studies, which assessed 2,607 peak coordinates from 247 experiments in 1,790 participants. The brain areas that were consistently involved in moral decisions showed more convergence with the ALE analysis targeting theory of mind versus empathy. More specifically, the neurotopographical overlap between morality and empathy disfavors a role of affective sharing during moral decisions. Ultimately, our results provide evidence that the neural network underlying moral decisions is probably domain-global and might be dissociable into cognitive and affective sub-systems.
AI snapshot
Written from the paper’s full text.
TL;DR
This large-scale ALE meta-analysis found that moral cognition recruits brain areas overlapping more with theory of mind than with empathy, supporting a domain-global view with dissociable cognitive and affective subsystems. It identified dmPFC, right MTG, and bilateral TPJ as common across moral cognition, theory of mind, and empathy.
Key findings
- Across 2,607 peak coordinates from 247 experiments in 1,790 participants, moral cognition consistently engaged bilateral vmPFC/FP/dmPFC, precuneus, TPJ, PCC, right temporal pole, right MTG, and left amygdala.
- Conjunction analyses showed morality overlapped with ToM-minus-empathy in bilateral vmPFC/FP/dmPFC and TPJ, right MTG, and right temporal pole; morality overlapped with empathy-minus-ToM only in dmPFC; all three domains converged in dmPFC, right MTG, and bilateral TPJ.
- Empathy’s most prominent convergence was in aMCC/SMA and AI/IFG, which did not overlap with morality, leading the authors to conclude that affective sharing is unlikely to be involved in moral judgments and that moral cognition is closer to ToM than to empathy.
- BrainMap functional characterization linked the common network to ToM, semantic processing, imagination, social cognition, and episodic/explicit memory.
Methods
- PubMed search for fMRI/PET studies on moral cognition, ToM, and empathy up to 2010; inclusion required full-brain coverage, no pharmacological manipulations, lesions, or mental/neurological disorders, and whole-brain group coordinates in Talairach/MNI space. Exclusions included ROI analyses, empathy-for-pain studies, and static facial emotion-recognition tasks. The search yielded 67 moral experiments/507 foci, 68 ToM experiments/724 foci, and 112 empathy experiments/1,376 foci.
- Revised ALE coordinate-based meta-analysis modeled foci as 3D Gaussian probability distributions, computed modeled activation maps, and thresholded at cluster-level-corrected p < 0.05. Conjunction analyses used the minimum statistic; difference analyses used 10,000 randomizations with p < 0.001; BrainMap metadata were tested with binomial tests Bonferroni-corrected for multiple comparisons.
Limitations
- The paper states that meta-analyses are affected by publication bias against null results, and that BrainMap contains only about 21% of published neuroimaging studies, so its functional characterization is not strictly representative.
- The paper states that some moral cognition tasks have limited ecological validity; artificial scenarios such as the trolley dilemma may have systematically overestimated cognitive versus emotional processes and contributed to the similarity between moral cognition and ToM.
- The paper states that no statistical method to correct for multiple comparisons in ALE difference maps has yet been established, and it notes that meta-analytic spatial resolution limits interpretation of adjacent but non-overlapping PCC clusters.
Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.
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Cites
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Claims the paper makes
0 of 103 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged
- Findingown data
Convergence in the posterior cingulate cortex was located slightly more rostro-dorsally in the ALE on moral cognition compared to the ALE on empathy.
“convergence in the PCC was located slightly more rostro-dorsally in the ALE on moral cognition compared to the ALE on empathy”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingown data
Meta-analysis of studies related to theory of mind (ToM) revealed convergence in the bilateral vmPFC/FP/dmPFC, precuneus, TPJ, temporal pole, middle temporal gyrus, posterior superior temporal sulcus (pSTS), and inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), as well as the right MT/V5.
“Meta-analysis of studies related to ToM revealed convergence in the bilateral vmPFC/FP/dmPFC, Prec, TPJ, TP, MTG, posterior superior temporal sulcus (pSTS), and inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), as well as the right MT/V5.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
The conjunction analysis across the results of all three individual meta-analyses on moral cognition, ToM, and empathy yielded convergence in the dmPFC, right MTG, and bilateral TPJ.
“the conjunction analysis across the results of all three individual meta-analyses on moral cognition, ToM, and empathy yielded convergence in the dmPFC, right MTG, and bilateral TPJ”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
The conjunction across the neural network linked to moral cognition and the activation more robustly linked to empathy versus ToM revealed an overlap in the dmPFC.
“the conjunction across the neural network linked to moral cognition and the activation more robustly linked to empathy versus ToM revealed an overlap in the dmPFC”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
The common network observed across all three task domains was selectively associated with tasks tapping ToM, semantic processing, imagination, and social cognition, as well as episodic and explicit memory.
“the common network observed across all three task domains was selectively associated with tasks tapping ToM, semantic processing, imagination, and social cognition, as well as episodic and explicit memory”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
- Findingown data
The conjunction across the neural network linked to moral cognition and the activation more robustly linked to ToM versus empathy revealed an overlap in the bilateral vmPFC/FP/dmPFC and TPJ, as well as the right MTG and TP.
“The conjunction across the neural network linked to moral cognition and the activation more robustly linked to ToM versus empathy revealed an overlap in the bilateral vmPFC/FP/dmPFC and TPJ, as well as the right MTG and TP.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
Meta-analysis of neuroimaging studies related to moral cognition yielded convergent activation in the bilateral ventromedial/frontopolar/dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC/FP/dmPFC), precuneus (Prec), temporo-parietal junction (TPJ), posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), as well as the right temporal pole (TP), right middle temporal gyrus (MTG), and left amygdala (AM).
“Meta-analysis of neuroimaging studies related to moral cognition yielded convergent activation in the bilateral ventromedial/frontopolar/dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC/FP/dmPFC), precuneus (Prec), temporo-parietal junction (TPJ), posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), as well as the right temporal pole (TP), right middle temporal gyrus (MTG), and left amygdala (AM)”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
Meta-analysis of studies related to empathy yielded convergence in the bilateral dmPFC, supplementary motor area (SMA), rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC), anterior mid-cingulate cortex (aMCC), PCC, anterior insula (AI), IFG, midbrain, and TPJ, as well as the left anterior thalamus, right amygdala (AM), MTG, pSTS, posterior thalamus, hippocampus, and pallidum.
“meta-analysis of studies related to empathy yielded convergence in the bilateral dmPFC, supplementary motor area (SMA), rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC), anterior mid-cingulate cortex (aMCC; cf. Vogt 2005), PCC, anterior insula (AI), IFG, midbrain, and TPJ, as well as the anterior thalamus on the left, further, the AM, MTG, pSTS, posterior thalamus, hippocampus, and pallidum on the right.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
The brain areas consistently involved in moral decisions showed more convergence with the ALE analysis targeting theory of mind versus empathy.
“The brain areas that were consistently involved in moral decisions showed more convergence with the ALE analysis targeting theory of mind versus empathy.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
The posterior cingulate cortex showed significant convergence in both the moral cognition and empathy individual meta-analyses at adjacent, yet non-overlapping locations.
“the PCC showed significant convergence in both these individual meta-analyses at adjacent, yet non-overlapping locations”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingown data
Some brain areas that showed significant convergence in the ALE on ToM and empathy were not significant in the ALE on moral cognition.
“some of the brain areas, which show significant convergence in the ALE on ToM and empathy, were not significant in the ALE on moral cognition”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
The empathy meta-analysis revealed the aMCC extending into the SMA and the AI extending into the IFG as the most prominent points of convergence.
“This analysis revealed the aMCC extending into the SMA and the AI extending into the IFG as the most prominent points of convergence.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
Brain activity during moral cognition and ToM overlapped in the bilateral vmPFC/FP/dmPFC and TPJ, as well as the right temporal pole and MTG.
“Brain activity during moral cognition and ToM overlapped in the bilateral vmPFC/FP/dmPFC and TPJ, as well as the right TP and MTG.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
All brain areas revealed by the meta-analysis on moral cognition also converged significantly in the analyses on either ToM or empathy.
“all brain areas revealed by the meta-analysis on moral cognition also converged significantly in the analyses on either ToM or empathy”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
The present analysis on non-pain empathy additionally revealed activation in the amygdala, rostral anterior cingulate cortex, and posterior cingulate cortex.
“The present analysis on non-pain empathy, however, additionally revealed activation in the AM, rACC, and PCC.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingcitation
The convergent activation in the ALE on moral cognition is more accurately located to the TPJ rather than to the pSTS.
“This convergent activation in the ALE on moral cognition is, however, more accurately located to the TPJ, rather than to the pSTS”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
The present ALE meta-analysis provides strong evidence for high convergence across the neural networks associated with moral cognition and ToM.
“The present ALE meta-analysis overcomes these two limitations by a largely hypothesis-free assessment of two independent pools of numerous whole-brain neuroimaging studies, providing strong evidence for the high convergence across the neural networks associated with moral cognition and ToM.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
Moral cognition-, ToM-, and empathy-related brain activity converged in the bilateral TPJ, dmPFC, and right MTG.
“Moral cognition-, ToM-, and empathy-related brain activity converged in the bilateral TPJ, dmPFC, and right MTG, which therefore form a common network potentially involved in social-cognitive processes.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
Activity in the PCC was found in adjacent, yet non-overlapping, locations during moral cognition and non-pain empathy.
“Moreover, activity in the PCC was found in adjacent, yet non-overlapping, locations during moral cognition and non-pain empathy.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
Metadata profiling demonstrates solid associations of this network with neuroimaging studies related to ToM, explicit memory retrieval, language, and imagination of objects/scenes.
“In line with this, metadata profiling demonstrates solid associations of this network with neuroimaging studies related to ToM, explicit memory retrieval, language, and imagination of objects/scenes.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim- Rests on an assumption: The BrainMap database's metadata categories validly characterize the functional associations of the converging network.
- Interpretationown data
The neural network underlying moral decisions is probably domain-global.
“the neural network underlying moral decisions is probably domain-global”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationown data
Moral cognition recruits brain areas that are also involved in abstract-inferential (ToM) and rapid-emotional (empathy) social cognition.
“we demonstrated that moral cognition, indeed, recruits brain areas that are also involved in abstract-inferential (ToM) and rapid-emotional (empathy) social cognition”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationown data
The neurotopographical overlap between morality and empathy disfavors a role of affective sharing during moral decisions.
“the neurotopographical overlap between morality and empathy disfavors a role of affective sharing during moral decisions”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationown data
TPJ, mPFC, and MTG emerged as potential nodes of a network common to moral cognition, ToM, and empathy.
“TPJ, mPFC, and MTG emerged as potential nodes of a network common to moral cognition, ToM, and empathy”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
The common network across moral cognition, ToM, and empathy appears to be exclusively involved in higher-level cognitive processing.
“The network thus appears to be exclusively involved in higher-level cognitive processing.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationown data
The neural network underlying moral decisions might be dissociable into cognitive and affective sub-systems.
“and might be dissociable into cognitive and affective sub-systems”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Premisecitation
Moral cognition is influenced by whether or not an agent's action is perceived as intentional versus accidental.
“moral cognition is influenced by whether or not an agent’s action is perceived as intentional versus accidental”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked - Interpretationcitation
The observed empathy network is likely to be involved in vicariously experiencing others' affective states.
“the observed network is likely to be involved in vicariously experiencing others’ affective states”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked - Interpretationcitation
The obtained pattern of converged brain activation is in very good agreement with qualitative reviews of fMRI studies on moral cognition.
“The obtained pattern of converged brain activation is in very good agreement with qualitative reviews of fMRI studies on moral cognition”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites Moll et al. 2005b
Not checked in the free run.
- cites Greene and Haidt 2002 source
Not checked in the free run.
- Premisecitation
ToM and empathy are partially overlapping psychological constructs.
“ToM and empathy are partially overlapping psychological constructs”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked - Interpretationown data
Moral cognition and ToM engage a highly similar neural network.
“This extensive convergence indicates that moral cognition and ToM engage a highly similar neural network”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
Moral cognition might be realized by specific subsets, rather than the entirety, of the neural correlates of ToM and empathy.
“This suggests that moral cognition might be realized by specific subsets, rather than the entirety of the neural correlates of ToM and empathy.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Premisecitation
Moral cognition is thought to involve the representation of intentions and outcomes as well as vicariously experienced emotional states.
“moral cognition is thought to involve the representation of intentions and outcomes as well as (vicariously experienced) emotional states”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked - Interpretationcitation
The results of the meta-analysis of ToM were consistent with earlier quantitative analyses of neuroimaging studies.
“The results of the meta-analysis of ToM were consistent with earlier quantitative analyses”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked - Interpretationcitation
The obtained ToM network is likely to be implicated in the recognition and processing of others' mental states.
“the obtained network is likely to be implicated in the recognition and processing of others’ mental states”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked - Premisereasoning
Converging earlier evidence suggests that moral cognition is subserved by partially interrelated ToM and empathy processes.
“converging earlier evidence thus suggests that moral cognition is subserved by partially interrelated ToM and empathy processes”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Premisecitation
Studies using static pictures of emotional facial expressions were disregarded because such tasks are probably too simple to reliably entail sharing others' emotions and maintaining a self-other distinction.
“we disregarded studies in which participants were presented with emotion recognition tasks using static pictures of emotional facial expressions. That is because such tasks are probably too simple to reliably entail sharing others’ emotions and maintaining a self–other distinction”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Singer and Lamm 2009 source
Not checked in the free run.
- Premisecitation
The dmPFC has consistently been related to the reflection of one's own and simulation of others' mind states.
“Moreover, the dmPFC has consistently been related to the (possibly interwoven) reflection of own and simulation of others’ mind states (Lamm et al. 2007; Jenkins and Mitchell 2010; Mitchell et al. 2006; D’Argembeau et al. 2007).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked - Interpretationreasoning
The lateralization pattern of AM activity seems well in line with the consistent engagement of the left AM in moral cognition and right AM in non-pain empathy.
“This lateralization pattern thus seems well in line with the consistent engagement of the left AM in moral cognition and right AM in non-pain empathy.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Premisecitation
The interpretations of relevant fMRI studies were largely driven by reverse inference, i.e., identifying psychological processes from mere topography of brain activity.
“First, the interpretations of relevant fMRI studies were largely driven by reverse inference, i.e., identifying psychological processes from mere topography of brain activity (Poldrack 2006).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Poldrack 2006 source
Not checked in the free run.
- Interpretationown data
Converging activation of the dmPFC may suggest an implication of this highly associative cortical area in more complex social-emotional processing.
“Converging activation of the dmPFC may suggest an implication of this highly associative cortical area in more complex social-emotional processing.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationown data
Affective sharing, one core aspect of empathy, is unlikely to be involved in moral judgments, given the lack of consistent involvement of the AI/IFG or aMCC/SMA in paradigms probing moral judgments.
“First, affective sharing, one core aspect of empathy, is unlikely to be involved in moral judgments, given the lack of consistent involvement of the AI/IFG or aMCC/SMA in paradigms probing the latter.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim- Rests on an assumption: Lack of consistent involvement of a brain region in a meta-analysis of moral paradigms indicates that the corresponding psychological process is unlikely to be involved in moral judgments.
- Study design and conductreasoning
The present ALE meta-analysis overcomes the two limitations of prior fMRI studies by a largely hypothesis-free assessment of two independent pools of numerous whole-brain neuroimaging studies.
“The present ALE meta-analysis overcomes these two limitations by a largely hypothesis-free assessment of two independent pools of numerous whole-brain neuroimaging studies, providing strong evidence for the high convergence across the neural networks associated with moral cognition and ToM.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
The observed convergence in the dmPFC probably reflects an unidentified, yet to be characterized, higher-level neural process that is related to affective and social processing.
“We therefore cautiously conclude that the observed convergence in the dmPFC probably reflects an unidentified, yet to be characterized, higher-level neural process that is related to affective and social processing.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Interpretationcitation
Moral cognition might involve reconstructing attributes and intentions that we apply to others and vice versa.
“In line with our results, these fMRI studies suggest that moral cognition might involve reconstructing attributes and intentions that we apply to others and vice versa.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationcitation
These findings suggest a single neural network for mentally constructing plausible semantic scenarios of detached situations regardless of temporal orientation.
“These findings suggest a single neural network for mentally constructing plausible semantic scenarios of detached situations regardless of temporal orientation (Buckner and Carroll 2007; Hassabis and Maguire 2007).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites Buckner and Carroll 2007 source
Not checked in the free run.
- cites Hassabis and Maguire 2007
Not checked in the free run.
- Premisecitation
A cognitive-affective dissociation of moral cognition is supported clinically by the psychopathic population's immoral behavior in everyday life despite excellent moral reasoning skills.
“A cognitive-affective dissociation of moral cognition is also supported clinically by the psychopathic population’s immoral behavior in everyday life despite excellent moral reasoning skills (Cleckley 1941; Hare 1993).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites Cleckley 1941
Not checked in the free run.
- cites Hare 1993
Not checked in the free run.
- Interpretationown data
The bilateral TPJ, dmPFC, and right MTG form a common network potentially involved in social-cognitive processes.
“Moral cognition-, ToM-, and empathy-related brain activity converged in the bilateral TPJ, dmPFC, and right MTG, which therefore form a common network potentially involved in social-cognitive processes.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim- Rests on an assumption: Convergence of activation across independent neuroimaging studies indicates shared neural processes or common network involvement.
- Study design and conductreasoning
The functional characterization of converging activation foci using the BrainMap database is especially subject to the publication-bias caveat, as this database only contains about 21% of the published neuroimaging studies and its content therefore does not constitute a strictly representative sample.
“This caveat especially applies to the functional characterization of converging activation foci using the BrainMap database, as this database only contains about 21% of the published neuroimaging studies and its content therefore does not constitute a strictly representative sample.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Study design and conductreasoning
A part of the included neuroimaging studies on moral cognition might suffer from limited ecological validity.
“Furthermore, a part of the included neuroimaging studies on moral cognition might suffer from limited ecological validity.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Premisecitation
Frontotemporal dementia has been reported to impair personal but not impersonal moral reasoning.
“Consistent with the demonstrated functional dissociation between cognitive and affective subsystems of the neural network related to moral cognition observed in our study, frontotemporal dementia has been reported to impair personal but not impersonal moral reasoning (Mendez et al. 2005).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Mendez et al. 2005 source
Not checked in the free run.
- Interpretationreasoning
Employing overly artificial moral scenarios (e.g., trolley dilemma), on top of the inherent limitations of neuroimaging paradigms, could have systematically overestimated cognitive versus emotional processes.
“In particular, employing overly artificial moral scenarios (e.g., trolley dilemma), on top of the inherent limitations of neuroimaging paradigms, could have systematically overestimated cognitive versus emotional processes.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
These four categories might functionally converge in the reciprocal relationship between the allocentric and egocentric perspective, instructed by self-reflection, social knowledge, and memories of past experiences.
“They might functionally converge in the reciprocal relationship between the allocentric and egocentric perspective, instructed by self-reflection, social knowledge, and memories of past experiences (of social interactions).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Interpretationcitation
The experimental tasks used might only partially involve the mental processes guiding real-life moral behavior.
“That is, the experimental tasks used might only partially involve the mental processes guiding real-life moral behavior (cf. Cima et al. 2010; Knutson et al. 2010; Young et al. 2010a).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked - Interpretationreasoning
Moral cognition, ToM, and empathy jointly engage a network that might be involved in the automated prediction of social events that modulate behavior.
“Taken together, moral cognition, ToM, and empathy jointly engage a network that might be involved in the automated prediction of social events that modulate behavior.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
- May combine two claims. 20
- Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 27
May combine two claims.
Findingown dataThe left amygdala was found in the analysis of moral cognition-related brain activity, while the right amygdala was found in the analysis of empathy-related brain activity.
“the left AM was found in the analysis of moral cognition-related brain activity, while the right AM was found in the analysis of empathy-related brain activity”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataThe AI/IFG and aMCC/SMA were revealed as the most significant points of convergence in the ALE on non-pain empathy but did not show any overlap with the ALE on morality.
“Furthermore, it is important to note that the AI/IFG and aMCC/SMA were revealed as the most significant points of convergence in the ALE on non-pain empathy but did not show any overlap with the ALE on morality.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataBrain activity related to both moral cognition and non-pain empathy converged significantly in an area of the dmPFC, which was not revealed by the ALE on ToM.
“Brain activity related to both moral cognition and non-pain empathy converged significantly in an area of the dmPFC, which was not revealed by the ALE on ToM.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataThe neural correlates of moral judgments are much closer related to the neural correlates of ToM than to those of empathy, as evidenced by the quantity of overlap in the conjunction analyses.
“Third, the neural correlates of moral judgments are much closer related to the neural correlates of ToM than to those of empathy, as evidenced by the quantity of overlap in the conjunction analyses.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataThe AM was significantly involved in the individual ALEs on morality and non-pain empathy, although in contralateral hemispheres.
“It is interesting to note that the AM was significantly involved in the individual ALEs on morality and non-pain empathy, although in contralateral hemispheres.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
InterpretationreasoningEmpathy for pain- and non-pain-related affect appears to be implemented by an overlapping network that might recruit supplementary areas/networks depending on the specific affective modality with which participants are to empathize.
“empathy for pain- and non-pain-related affect appears to be implemented by an overlapping network that might recruit supplementary areas/networks depending on the specific affective modality with which participants are to empathize”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Lamm et al. 2011 source
Not checked in the free run.
Classified as probably not a substantial claim.
Study design and conductnone givenStudy selection was grounded on whether the original authors claimed to have isolated brain activity related to moral cognition, ToM, or empathy.
“study selection was grounded on the objective measure whether or not the authors claimed to have isolated brain activity that relates to moral cognition, ToM, or empathy”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim- Rests on an assumption: The task categories used by the original neuroimaging studies validly isolate moral cognition, theory of mind, or empathy.
May combine two claims.
Study design and conductnone givenThe meta-analysis included only studies with full brain coverage and absence of pharmacological manipulations, brain lesions, or mental/neurological disorders.
“The inclusion criteria comprised full brain coverage as well as absence of pharmacological manipulations, brain lesions or mental/neurological disorders.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
Study design and conductnone givenOnly neuroimaging studies that aimed at eliciting the conscious and isomorphic experience of somebody else's affective state were included in the empathy category.
“we only included those neuroimaging studies into the “empathy” category that aimed at eliciting the conscious and isomorphic experience of somebody else’s affective state”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim- Rests on an assumption: The task categories used by the original neuroimaging studies validly isolate moral cognition, theory of mind, or empathy.
Classified as probably not a substantial claim.
Study design and conductnone givenOnly neuroimaging studies that required participants to adopt an intentional stance towards others were included in the ToM category.
“we only included those neuroimaging studies into the “ToM” category that required participants to adopt an intentional stance towards others”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim- Rests on an assumption: The task categories used by the original neuroimaging studies validly isolate moral cognition, theory of mind, or empathy.
May combine two claims.
PremisecitationToM and empathic skills precede mature moral reflection in primate evolution and in ontogeny.
“ToM and empathic skills precede mature moral reflection in primate evolution (Greene and Haidt 2002) and in ontogeny (Tomasello 2001; Kohlberg et al. 1983; Frith and Frith 2003; Piaget 1932)”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Greene and Haidt 2002 source
Not checked in the free run.
- cites Tomasello 2001
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- cites Kohlberg et al. 1983
Not checked in the free run.
Classified as probably not a substantial claim.
Study design and conductnone givenOnly neuroimaging studies that required participants to make appropriateness judgments on actions of one individual towards others were included in the morality category.
“we only included those neuroimaging studies into the “morality” category that required participants to make appropriateness judgments on actions of one individual towards others”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim- Rests on an assumption: The task categories used by the original neuroimaging studies validly isolate moral cognition, theory of mind, or empathy.
Classified as probably not a substantial claim.
PremisecitationMore automatic, bottom-up driven mapping and awareness of others' emotional states in empathy might be modulated by more controlled, top-down processes involved in attributing mind states (ToM).
“more automatic, bottom-up driven mapping and awareness of others emotional states in the context of self–other distinction (i.e., empathy) might be modulated by more controlled, top-down processes involved in attributing mind states (i.e., ToM)”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checkedMay combine two claims.
PremisecitationToM and empathy differ in representational content (mental states versus affect), yet both might be similarly brought about by interaction between top-down and bottom-up processes.
“ToM and empathy differ in the representational content (mental states versus affect), yet both might be similarly brought about by interaction between top-down and bottom-up processes”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checkedProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
PremisecitationDeficient empathy skills in psychopathic populations are believed to contribute to morally inappropriate behavior.
“the deficient empathy skills in psychopathic populations are believed to contribute to morally inappropriate behavior”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checkedProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
PremisecitationExperiencing empathy was shown to alleviate harmful actions towards others.
“experiencing empathy was shown to alleviate harmful actions towards others”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checkedClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
Study design and conductnone givenStudies were only considered if they reported results of whole-brain group analyses as coordinates corresponding to a standard reference space (Talairach/Tournoux, MNI).
“studies were only considered, if they reported results of whole-brain group analyses as coordinates corresponding to a standard reference space (Talairach/Tournoux, MNI)”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
PremisecitationEmbodied representation and meta-representation might not constitute two mutually exclusive processes.
“embodied representation and meta-representation might not constitute two mutually exclusive processes”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checkedClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
Study design and conductnone givenExperiments assessing neural effects in a priori defined regions of interest were excluded.
“experiments assessing neural effects in a priori defined regions of interest were excluded”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.
Study design and conductcitationA random-effects inference was invoked, focusing on above-chance convergence across different experiments.
“a random-effects inference was invoked, focusing on the above-chance convergence across different experiments”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checkedProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
PremisecitationThe PCC is thought important for the modality-independent retrieval of autobiographical memories and their integration with current emotional states.
“The PCC is thought important for the modality-independent retrieval of autobiographical memories and their integration with current emotional states (Fink et al. 1996; Maddock et al. 2001; Maddock 1999; Schilbach et al. 2008a).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checkedProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
PremisecitationInteroception-related meta-representation of emotion has been suggested to underlie the concomitant involvement of the aMCC/SMA and AI/IFG in neuroimaging studies on empathy as reflecting affective sharing.
“Interoception-related meta-representation of emotion has thus been suggested to underlie the concomitant involvement of the aMCC/SMA and AI/IFG in neuroimaging studies on empathy as reflecting affective sharing (Singer and Lamm 2009; Fan et al. 2011).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checkedMay combine two claims.
PremisecitationAM activity typically increases in the left hemisphere in elaborate social-cognitive processes and in the right hemisphere in automatic, basic emotional processes.
“In particular, AM activity typically increases in the left hemisphere in elaborate social-cognitive processes and in the right hemisphere in automatic, basic emotional processes (Phelps et al. 2001; Bzdok et al. 2012; Markowitsch 1998; Gläscher and Adolphs 2003).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checkedProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
PremisecitationThe AM is thought to automatically extract biological significance from the environment.
“This brain region is thought to automatically extract biological significance from the environment (Ball et al. 2007; Sander et al. 2003; Bzdok et al. 2011; Müller et al. 2011).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checkedClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
Study design and conductcitationThe resulting non-parametric p values for difference analyses were thresholded at p < 0.001.
“These resulting non-parametric p values were thresholded at p < 0.001.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Eickhoff et al. 2011 source
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Study design and conductcitationFunctional characterization used a binomial test, Bonferroni-corrected for multiple comparisons, to identify functional roles of the convergent network.
“Using a binomial test, Bonferroni-corrected for multiple comparisons, the functional roles of the convergent network as a whole were identified”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites Laird et al. 2009b
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- cites Eickhoff et al. 2011 source
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Interpretationown dataGeneral affective processes might play a role in both moral judgments and empathy, given that the respective meta-analyses individually revealed the dmPFC (direct overlap) and the amygdala (oppositely lateralized).
“Second, general affective processes might play a role in both moral judgments and empathy, given that the respective meta-analyses individually revealed the dmPFC (direct overlap) and the amygdala (oppositely lateralized).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
PremisecitationThis network, especially the anterior insula, is not only implicated in meta-representation of emotional states but also in interoceptive awareness.
“Moreover, this network, especially the anterior insula, is not only implicated in meta-representation of emotional states but also in interoceptive awareness (Craig 2002, 2009; Kurth et al. 2010).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checkedProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
PremisecitationThe AI/IFG and aMCC/SMA form a network that is widely believed to represent one's own and others' emotional states regardless of the actual affective or sensory modality.
“In particular, the AI/IFG and aMCC/SMA form a network that is widely believed to represent one’s own and others’ emotional states regardless of the actual affective or sensory modality (Lamm et al. 2011; Wicker et al. 2003; Singer et al. 2004; Lamm and Singer 2010; Fan et al. 2011).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checkedMay combine two claims.
PremisecitationThe relevant fMRI studies crucially hinge on the repeatedly criticized functional localizer technique, which rests on strong a priori hypotheses.
“Second, the relevant fMRI studies crucially hinge on the repeatedly criticized functional localizer technique, which rests on strong a priori hypotheses (Friston et al. 2006; Mitchell 2008).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checkedClassified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.
Study design and conductcitationThe resulting ALE scores were tested against the earlier calculated true ALE scores and cut off at a cluster-level-corrected threshold of p < 0.05.
“The resulting ALE scores were tested against the earlier calculated ‘true’ ALE scores and cut off at a cluster-level-corrected threshold of p < 0.05.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites Eickhoff et al. 2012
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- cites Eickhoff et al. 2009 source
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Study design and conductnone givenThe randomization procedure employed to compute the contrast between ALE analyses is highly conservative as it estimates the probability for a true difference between the two datasets.
“the randomization procedure employed to compute the contrast between ALE-analyses is in itself highly conservative as it estimates the probability for a true difference between the two datasets”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
PremisecitationStudies on empathy for pain were disregarded because pain is not considered a classic emotion and watching painful scenes does not induce isomorphic vicarious experiences.
“we disregarded studies on empathy for pain because pain, although possessing an affective dimension, is not considered a classic emotion (Izard 1971; Ekman 1982). Rather, it is a bodily sensation mediated by distinct sensory receptors (Craig 2002; Saper 2000), and watching painful scenes does not induce isomorphic vicarious experiences”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Izard 1971
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- cites Ekman 1982
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- cites Craig 2002 source
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Study design and conductnone givenA statistical method to correct for multiple comparisons when assessing differences between ALE maps has not yet been established.
“Unfortunately, a statistical method to correct for multiple comparisons when assessing the differences between ALE maps has not yet been established.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
PremisecitationMeta-analyses are necessarily based on the available literature and hence may be affected by the potential publication-bias disfavoring null results.
“Meta-analyses are necessarily based on the available literature and hence may be affected by the potential publication-bias disfavoring null results (Rosenthal 1979).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Rosenthal 1979 source
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PremisecitationSimilar brain mechanisms in remembering past episodes and envisioning future circumstances is supported by their engagement of identical brain areas, as evidenced by a quantitative meta-analysis.
“Similar brain mechanisms in remembering past episodes and envisioning future circumstances is supported by their engagement of identical brain areas, as evidenced by a quantitative meta-analysis (Spreng et al. 2009).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Spreng et al. 2009 source
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InterpretationcitationThese four psychological categories (ToM, explicit memory retrieval, language, and imagination of objects/scenes) summarize what sets humans probably apart from non-human primates.
“Intriguingly, these four seemingly disparate psychological categories summarize what sets humans probably apart from non-human primates (Tomasello 2001; Frith and Frith 2010).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites Tomasello 2001
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- cites Frith and Frith 2010 source
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PremisecitationThese isolated conceptual scripts may be reassembled to enable the forecasting of future events.
“These isolated conceptual scripts may be reassembled to enable the forecasting of future events (Tulving 1983, 1985; Schacter et al. 2007).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checkedProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
PremisecitationConstruction of detached probabilistic scenes has been argued to influence ongoing decision making by estimating outcomes of behavioral choices.
“Indeed, construction of detached probabilistic scenes has been argued to influence ongoing decision making by estimating outcomes of behavioral choices (Boyer 2008; Suddendorf and Corballis 2007; Schilbach et al. 2008b).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checkedMay combine two claims.
PremisecitationRetrograde amnesic patients were reported to be impaired not only in prospection but also in imagining novel experience.
“Moreover, retrograde amnesic patients were reported to be impaired not only in prospection but also in imagining novel experience (Hassabis et al. 2007).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Hassabis et al. 2007
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PremisecitationNeither Greene's nor Moll's concept can exhaustively explain why vmPFC patients demonstrated a rationally biased approach to solving moral dilemmas, yet an emotionally biased approach to moral cognition in an economic game.
“Apart from that, neither Greene’s nor Moll’s concept can exhaustively explain why vmPFC patients demonstrated a rationally biased approach to solving moral dilemmas (Koenigs et al. 2007; Moretto et al. 2010), yet, an emotionally biased approach to moral cognition in an economic game (Koenigs and Tranel 2007).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Koenigs et al. 2007
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- cites Moretto et al. 2010 source
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- cites Koenigs and Tranel 2007
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InterpretationcitationThis caveat might have contributed to the similar results in the meta-analyses on moral cognition and on ToM (rather than on empathy), given that emotion processing is thought to play a paramount role in real-world moral cognition.
“This caveat might have contributed to the similar results in the meta-analyses on moral cognition and on ToM (rather than on empathy), given that emotion processing is thought to play a paramount role in real-world moral cognition (Krebs 2008; Tangney et al. 2007; Haidt 2001).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checkedMay combine two claims.
Interpretationown dataThe present large-scale meta-analysis provides evidence for a domain-global view of moral cognition, rather than for a distinct moral module, by showing its functional integration of distributed brain networks.
“The present large-scale meta-analysis provides evidence for a domain-global view of moral cognition, rather than for a distinct moral module (Hauser 2006), by showing its functional integration of distributed brain networks.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Hauser 2006 source
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PremisecitationAutobiographical memory supplies numerous building blocks of social semantic knowledge.
“In particular, autobiographical memory supplies numerous building blocks of social semantic knowledge (Bar 2007; Binder et al. 2009).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checkedMay combine two claims.
Interpretationown dataOur results support the notion that moral reasoning is related to both seeing things from other persons' points of view and to grasping others' feelings.
“Ultimately, our results support the notion that moral reasoning is related to both seeing things from other persons’ points of view and to grasping others’ feelings (Piaget 1932; Tomasello 2001; Decety et al. 2012).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Piaget 1932
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- cites Tomasello 2001
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- cites Decety et al. 2012
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The paper relies on this without support.
The task categories used by the original neuroimaging studies validly isolate moral cognition, theory of mind, or empathy.
“study selection was grounded on the objective measure whether or not the authors claimed to have isolated brain activity that relates to moral cognition, ToM, or empathy”
The paper relies on this without support.
Convergence of activation across independent neuroimaging studies indicates shared neural processes or common network involvement.
“Moral cognition-, ToM-, and empathy-related brain activity converged in the bilateral TPJ, dmPFC, and right MTG, which therefore form a common network potentially involved in social-cognitive processes.”
The paper relies on this without support.
Lack of consistent involvement of a brain region in a meta-analysis of moral paradigms indicates that the corresponding psychological process is unlikely to be involved in moral judgments.
“First, affective sharing, one core aspect of empathy, is unlikely to be involved in moral judgments, given the lack of consistent involvement of the AI/IFG or aMCC/SMA in paradigms probing the latter.”
The paper relies on this without support.
The BrainMap database's metadata categories validly characterize the functional associations of the converging network.
“In line with this, metadata profiling demonstrates solid associations of this network with neuroimaging studies related to ToM, explicit memory retrieval, language, and imagination of objects/scenes.”
Claims other papers make about this one
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AI and aMCC are a core network activated whenever we witness the suffering of others.
“Meta-analyses have later identified these regions as a core network that is activated whenever we witness the suffering of others [8,9].”
From On the interaction of social affect and cognition: empathy, compassion and theory of mind (2018) · cites this paper as [9]
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“Keywords Moral cognition Theory of mind (ToM) Empathy Social cognition Meta-analysis ALE”
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- Authors
- Bzdok, D., Schilbach, L., Vogeley, K., Schneider, K., Laird, A. R., Langner, R., & Eickhoff, S. B.
- Affiliations
- RWTH Aachen University (DE)
- University of Cologne (DE)
- Forschungszentrum Jülich (DE)
- Jülich Aachen Research Alliance (DE)
- The University of Texas at San Antonio Health Science Center (US)
- Corresponding author
- Eickhoff, Simon B.
- Venue
- Brain Structure and Function
- Published
- 2012-01-24
- Volume
- 217
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 783-796
- ISSN
- 1863-2653 (ISSN-L)
- 1863-2661
- PMC
- PMC3445793
- OpenAlex
- W2055132787
- Semantic Scholar
- 5b338096393ed299e223e8cf905855cfaf01a0fb
- Cited by
- 653
- References
- 140
- Citations by year
- 2026: 32 · 2025: 22 · 2024: 48 · 2023: 38 · 2022: 53 · 2021: 85 · 2020: 74 · 2019: 65 · 2018: 45 · 2017: 52 · 2016: 43 · 2015: 37 · 2014: 33 · 2013: 21 · 2012: 5
- FWCI
- 15.52
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Brain Structure and Function (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Kölner Universitäts PublikationsServer (Universität zu Köln) (publishedVersion)
- Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (submittedVersion)
- JuSER (Forschungszentrum Jülich) (submittedVersion)
- RWTH Publications (RWTH Aachen) (submittedVersion)
- MPG.PuRe (Max Planck Society) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (IRTG1328, DFG. IRTG 1328, R01-MH074457)
- National Institute of Mental Health (R01MH074457)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Psychology of Moral and Emotional Judgment
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Action Observation and Synchronization
- Keywords
- moral cognition, moral judgment, theory of mind, empathy, neural correlates of morality, affective sharing
- MeSH terms
- Brain Mapping, Cognition, Empathy, Humans, Morals, Nerve Net, Likelihood Functions, Theory of Mind, Functional Neuroimaging
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-10.
Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-10.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
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