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Cited by 538Action Observation and SynchronizationFunctional Brain Connectivity StudiesNeural and Behavioral Psychology Studies

Emotions promote social interaction by synchronizing brain activity across individuals

Open access
Nummenmaa, Lauri, Glerean, Enrico, Viinikainen, Mikko, Jääskeläinen, Iiro P., Hari, Riitta, Sams, Mikko·2012·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
DOI 10.1073/pnas.1206095109PMC PMC3386135
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Abstract

Sharing others’ emotional states may facilitate understanding their intentions and actions. Here we show that networks of brain areas “tick together” in participants who are viewing similar emotional events in a movie. Participants’ brain activity was measured with functional MRI while they watched movies depicting unpleasant, neutral, and pleasant emotions. After scanning, participants watched the movies again and continuously rated their experience of pleasantness–unpleasantness (i.e., valence) and of arousal–calmness. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to derive multisubject voxelwise similarity measures [intersubject correlations (ISCs)] of functional MRI data. Valence and arousal time series were used to predict the moment-to-moment ISCs computed using a 17-s moving average. During movie viewing, participants' brain activity was synchronized in lower- and higher-order sensory areas and in corticolimbic emotion circuits. Negative valence was associated with increased ISC in the emotion-processing network (thalamus, ventral striatum, insula) and in the default-mode network (precuneus, temporoparietal junction, medial prefrontal cortex, posterior superior temporal sulcus). High arousal was associated with increased ISC in the somatosensory cortices and visual and dorsal attention networks comprising the visual cortex, bilateral intraparietal sulci, and frontal eye fields. Seed-voxel–based correlation analysis confirmed that these sets of regions constitute dissociable, functional networks. We propose that negative valence synchronizes individuals’ brain areas supporting emotional sensations and understanding of another’s actions, whereas high arousal directs individuals’ attention to similar features of the environment. By enhancing the synchrony of brain activity across individuals, emotions may promote social interaction and facilitate interpersonal understanding.

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Crossref · 10.1073/pnas.1206095109

Cites

56 of 56 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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Claims the paper makes

0 of 47 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data
    § Emotions promote social interaction by synchronizing brain activity across individuals

    Seed-voxel-based correlation analysis confirmed that these sets of regions constitute dissociable functional networks.

    “Seed-voxel-based correlation analysis confirmed that these sets of regions constitute dissociable, functional networks.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Statistically significant ISCs were observed in limbic regions implicated in affective processing, such as amygdala, anterior insula, thalamus, and somatosensory cortices.

    “However, statistically significant ISCs also were observed in numerous limbic regions implicated in affective processing, such as the amygdala, anterior insula, and thalamus, as well as in somatosensory cortices.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data
    § Emotions promote social interaction by synchronizing brain activity across individuals

    During movie viewing, participants' brain activity was synchronized across subjects in lower- and higher-order sensory areas and in corticolimbic emotion circuits.

    “During movie viewing, participants' brain activity was synchronized in lower-and higher-order sensory areas and in corticolimbic emotion circuits.”
    • Also stated in: § Results · boosted
      “During movie viewing, the brain activity was highly time-locked across subjects in several brain regions”
    • Also stated in: § Results · plain
      “statistically significant ISCs also were observed in numerous limbic regions implicated in affective processing, such as the amygdala, anterior insula, and thalamus, as well as in somatosensory cortices.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Behavioral ratings confirmed movie stimuli elicited strong and time-variable emotional reactions, with mean valence 1.3-8.3 and mean arousal 2.6-8.0.

    “Behavioral ratings (Fig. S1) confirmed that the movie stimuli elicited strong and time-variable emotional reactions, with mean valence ranging from 1.3 to 8.3 and mean arousal ranging from 2.6 to 8.0.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    For arousal, the corresponding effect was much smaller and restricted to temporal/hippocampal regions.

    “For arousal, the corresponding effect was much smaller and was restricted to temporal/hippocampal regions.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 27
  • May combine two claims. 22
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 1

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    Valence and arousal were negatively correlated (r = -0.22, P < 0.001).

    “Valence and arousal were negatively correlated (r = -0.22,P < 0.001).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Neither valence nor arousal correlated significantly with whole-volume average ISC (P > 0.05).

    “Neither valence nor arousal correlated significantly with the whole-volume average ISC (P > 0.05)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    When mean ISC time courses of all statistically significant voxels in each of six intrinsic networks were correlated with valence and arousal time series, arousal but not valence correlated positively with mean ISC in visual and dorsal attention network, whereas valence but not arousal correlated negatively with ISC in default-mode network.

    “When the mean ISC time courses of all statistically significant voxels in each of the six intrinsic networks were correlated with valence and arousal time series, a similar pattern of results emerged: Arousal, but not valence, correlated positively with mean ISC in the visual and dorsal attention network, whereas valence, but not arousal, correlated negatively with ISC in the default-mode network.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Valence modulates ISC in the default-mode network, while arousal modulates ISC in the visual network and dorsal attention network.

    “Valence modulates ISC in the default-mode network (yellow) and arousal in the visual network (violet) and dorsal attention network (green).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    During movie viewing a nonselective ISC component (spanning to insular cortex) is associated with emotional events in movies.

    “during movie viewing a nonselective ISC component (spanning to the insular cortex) is associated with emotional events in the movies (14).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [14] 14. Hasson U, Nir Y, Levy I, Fuhrmann G, Malach R (2004) Intersubject synchronization of cortical activity during natural vision. Science 303:1634-1640. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Lesions of somatosensory cortices dampen subjective emotional feelings.

    “Lesions of the somatosensory cortices dampen subjective emotional feelings (36)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [36] 36. Johnsen EL, Tranel D, Lutgendorf S, Adolphs R (2009) A neuroanatomical dissociation for emotion induced by music. Int J Psychophysiol 72:24-33. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Numerous independent studies have established that highly arousing events catch both covert and overt attention.

    “However, numerous independent studies have established that highly arousing events catch both the covert and overt attention (34,35).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [34] 34. Nummenmaa L, Hyönä J, Calvo MG (2006) Eye movement assessment of selective attentional capture by emotional pictures. Emotion 6:257-268. source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [35] 35. Brosch T, Sander D, Scherer KR (2007) That baby caught my eye. . . attention capture by infant faces. Emotion 7:685-689. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    During moments of high arousal, different individuals would focus their attention on similar emotional features in environment, and this focus would be reflected in enhanced time-locking of brain activity in dorsal attention network.

    “Accordingly, during moments of high arousal, different individuals would focus their attention on similar emotional features in the environment, and this focus would be reflected in the enhanced timelocking of brain activity in the dorsal attention network.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S1 (asserted), S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Recent models have proposed that somatosensory cortices might have a more general (non-emotion-specific) role in understanding actions.

    “Recent models have proposed further that the somatosensory cortices might have a more general (i.e., non-emotion-specific) role in understanding actions (11).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [11] 11. Keysers C, Kaas JH, Gazzola V (2010) Somatosensation in social perception. Nat Rev Neurosci 11:417-428. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Our data suggest that attention-related mechanism is arousal-contingent, whereas mapping mechanism is valence-contingent.

    “Our data suggest that the attention-related mechanism is arousal-contingent, whereas the mapping mechanism is valence-contingent.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Our findings suggest that temporally synchronized somatosensory codes across individuals might be a critical mechanism supporting mutual understanding of actions and that highly arousing events would be particularly effective in triggering this kind of somatosensory resonance across individuals.

    “Our findings suggest that temporally synchronized somatosensory codes across individuals might be a critical mechanism supporting mutual understanding of actions and that highly arousing events would be particularly effective in triggering this kind of somatosensory resonance across individuals.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Activity of default-mode network typically is suppressed during external stimulation.

    “The activity of the default-mode network typically is suppressed during external stimulation (29)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [29] 29. Raichle ME, et al. (2001) A default mode of brain function. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 98: 676-682. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Recruitment of attention-controlling systems upon perception of emotional events allows rapid adaptation to potential dangers or beneficial events in environment.

    “Recruitment of the attention-controlling systems upon perception of emotional events allows rapid adaptation to potential dangers or beneficial events in the environment (23).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [23] 23. Vuilleumier P (2005) How brains beware: Neural mechanisms of emotional attention. Trends Cogn Sci 9:585-594. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given

    This synchronization of neural time courses across brains may be the critical mechanism that enables mental simulation of other's emotional states and, ultimately, prediction of their intentions and actions.

    “this synchronization of neural time courses across brains may be the critical mechanism that enables mental simulation of other's emotional states and, ultimately, prediction of their intentions and actions.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Such processes might be suppressed during free exploration of environment but may be engaged rapidly in similar manner across individuals when highly relevant social or emotional events are detected.

    “Such processes might be suppressed during free exploration of the environment but may be engaged rapidly in a similar manner across individuals when highly relevant social or emotional events are detected.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Key mechanisms that may support similar emotional processing across individuals are automatic and spatially similar focusing of attention toward emotion-laden stimuli and subsequent mapping of others' emotional states in body and brain.

    “The key mechanisms that may support similar emotional processing across individuals are automatic and spatially similar focusing of attention toward emotion-laden stimuli (23) and the subsequent mapping of others' emotional states in the body and brain (9).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [23] 23. Vuilleumier P (2005) How brains beware: Neural mechanisms of emotional attention. Trends Cogn Sci 9:585-594. source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [9] 9. Hatfield E, Cacioppo J, Rapson RL (1994) Emotional Contagion (Cambridge Univ Press, New York).

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    These opposite effects on ISC fit with proposed distinction between valence and arousal representations in brain and highlight neurobehavioral functions that emotional arousal and valence may have in human social interaction.

    “These opposite effects on ISC fit with the proposed distinction between valence and arousal representations in the brain (31,32) and they also highlight the neurobehavioral functions that emotional arousal and valence may have in human social interaction.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [31] 31. Anderson AK, et al. (2003) Dissociated neural representations of intensity and valence in human olfaction. Nat Neurosci 6:196-202. source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [32] 32. Posner J, Russell JA, Peterson BS (2005) The circumplex model of affect: An integrative approach to affective neuroscience, cognitive development, and psychopathology. Dev Psychopathol 17:715-734. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Our results demonstrate that valence and arousal have distinct roles in synchronizing brain activity-and possibly also behavior-across individuals.

    “Our results thus demonstrate that valence and arousal have distinct roles in synchronizing brain activity-and possibly also behavior-across individuals.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Catching emotions someone expresses is thought to involve replication of observed emotions in one's own mind and body.

    “although catching the emotions someone (here the movie character) expresses is thought to involve replication of observed emotions in one's own mind and body (9)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [9] 9. Hatfield E, Cacioppo J, Rapson RL (1994) Emotional Contagion (Cambridge Univ Press, New York).

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    It is likely that frontocortical synchronization may be triggered both by external events (such as emotions) eliciting prototypical neural and behavioral patterns across individuals and by similarity of endogenously maintained, shared cognitive task sets across individuals.

    “However, it is likely that frontocortical synchronization may be triggered both by external events (such as emotions) eliciting prototypical neural and behavioral patterns across individuals and by the similarity of endogenously maintained, shared cognitive task sets across individuals.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    When positive emotions are triggered, frontal cortex may not synchronize across individuals, because positive emotions trigger planning of novel, exploratory thoughts and actions that are bound to vary significantly across individuals.

    “When positive emotions are triggered, frontal cortex may not synchronize across individuals, because the positive emotions trigger planning of novel, exploratory thoughts and actions that are bound to vary significantly across individuals.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    The paper's hypothesis agrees with prior proposals that perceived emotional states in others are continuously mapped into matching somatic and sensory representations in the observer's brain.

    “This hypothesis accords with the proposals that perceived emotional states in others are constantly mapped into corresponding somatic and sensory representations in the observers' brain (10,11).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [10] 10. Niedenthal PM (2007) Embodying emotion. Science 316:1002-1005. source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [11] 11. Keysers C, Kaas JH, Gazzola V (2010) Somatosensation in social perception. Nat Rev Neurosci 11:417-428. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Via mind-simulation, people may estimate others' goals and needs more accurately and adjust their own behavior, thereby supporting social interaction and coherence.

    “Through this kind of mind-simulation, we may estimate others' goals and needs more accurately and tune our own behavior accordingly, thus supporting social interaction and coherence.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductreasoning

    Gaussian filtering accounts for both the HRF delay and autocorrelation of the ISC time series without assuming a particular filter shape.

    “Gaussian filtering, on the contrary, accounts for both the HRF delay and autocorrelation of the ISC time series without making any assumptions about the shape of the filter.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Our data show that restricted processing brought about by negative emotions is reflected in intersubject similarity in time courses of brain activity: The more negative emotions individuals feel, the more similar is their brain activation in emotion circuit as well as in default-mode network, whereas when subjects experience positive emotions promoting free exploration, their brains process thesS

    “Our data show that the restricted processing brought about by negative emotions is reflected in the intersubject similarity in time courses of brain activity: The more negative emotions individuals feel, the more similar is their brain activation in the emotion circuit as well as in the default-mode network, whereas when the subjects experience positive emotions promoting free exploration, their b”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductcitation

    The data were analyzed using an ISC toolbox developed by Kauppi et al.

    “The data were analyzed using an ISC toolbox developed by Kauppi et al. (13).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [13] 13. Kauppi J-P, Jääskeläinen IP, Sams M, Tohka J (2010) Inter-subject correlation of brain hemodynamic responses during watching a movie: Localization in space and fre- quency. Front Neuroinform 4:5.

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    The authors propose that high arousal directs individuals' attention similarly to environmental features, while negative valence synchronizes brain circuitries, supporting shared emotional sensations.

    “We propose that high arousal serves to direct individuals' attention similarly to features of the environment, whereas negative valence synchronizes brain circuitries, supporting emotional sensations across individuals.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Negative emotions may trigger specific biologically determined fight-or-flight responses for immediate survival, and this narrowing of behavioral repertoires would result in more similar frontal time courses across individuals.

    “On the contrary, negative emotions may trigger specific biologically determined fight-or-flight responses for immediate survival, and this narrowing of behavioral repertoires would result in more similar frontal time courses across individuals.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationreasoning

    It is possible that empathy-contingent ISC in MTG/STS region might reflect this kind of simulation and prediction without feeling.

    “Accordingly, it is possible that the empathy-contingent ISC in the MTG/STS region might reflect this kind of simulation and prediction without feeling.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductreasoning

    To reduce potential confounds from English speech in the movies, the movie clips were presented without sound.

    “All participants were native Finnish speakers, and to reduce the potential confounds associated with the English speech in the movies, the movie clips were presented without sound.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). The quote only partly states this claim.

    Study design and conductcitation

    The video stimuli were chosen based on a validation study of the emotional qualities of silent clips edited from several feature films.

    “Most stimuli were selected on the basis of a validation study for the emotional qualities of silent clips edited from several feature films (47).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [47] 47. Hewig J, et al. (2005) A revised film set for the induction of basic emotions. Cogn Emotion 19:1095-1109.

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Empathy also might be related to mental simulation and prediction of others' feelings without actually sharing them in one's own mind and body.

    “empathy also might be related to mental simulation and prediction of others' feelings without actually sharing them in one's own mind and body (46).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [46] 46. Preston SD, de Waal FBM (2002) Empathy: Its ultimate and proximate bases. Behav Brain Sci, 25:1-20, discussion 20-71. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductcitation

    A fully nonparametric voxelwise permutation test for the r statistic was performed to test the statistical significance of the ISC maps.

    “To test the statistical significance of the ISC maps, we performed a fully nonparametric voxelwise permutation test for the r statistic (13).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [13] 13. Kauppi J-P, Jääskeläinen IP, Sams M, Tohka J (2010) Inter-subject correlation of brain hemodynamic responses during watching a movie: Localization in space and fre- quency. Front Neuroinform 4:5.

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Posterior MTG/STS region has been proposed to encode intentions of an agent's actions and to be associated more broadly with empathy, mentalizing, and theory of mind.

    “that has been proposed to encode the intentions of an agent's actions (42,43) and also to be associated more broadly with empathy, mentalizing, and theory of mind (44,45).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 4 sources checked
    • cites [42] 42. Nummenmaa L, Calder AJ (2009) Neural mechanisms of social attention. Trends Cogn Sci 13:135-143. source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [43] 43. Pelphrey KA, Viola RJ, McCarthy G (2004) When strangers pass: Processing of mutual and averted social gaze in the superior temporal sulcus. Psychol Sci 15:598-603. source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [44] 44. Gallagher HL, Frith CD (2003) Functional imaging of 'theory of mind'. Trends Cogn Sci 7:77-83. source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [45] 45. Frith U, Frith CD (2003) Development and neurophysiology of mentalizing. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 358:459-473. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    This information could be forwarded to attention circuits to modulate sensory sampling of environment as well as to emotion circuits to support transforming observed agent's actions and intentions into corresponding somatosensory and behavioral code in observer.

    “This information could be forwarded to the attention circuits to modulate sensory sampling of the environment as well as to emotion circuits to support transforming the observed agent's actions and intentions into a corresponding somatosensory and behavioral code in the observer.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductcitation

    Ratings were collected separately rather than during scanning because a reporting task influences neural responses to visual emotional stimulation.

    “Ratings were conducted separately rather than during scanning, because a reporting task influences neural responses to visual emotional stimulation (48,49), but repeated viewing of emotional stimuli has only a negligible effect on self-reported emotional feelings.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [48] 48. Hutcherson CA, et al. (2005) Attention and emotion: Does rating emotion alter neural responses to amusing and sad films? Neuroimage 27:656-668. source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [49] 49. Lieberman MD, et al. (2007) Putting feelings into words: Affect labeling disrupts amygdala activity in response to affective stimuli. Psychol Sci 18:421-428. source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • Rests on an assumption: Seeing emotional stimuli again has only a minimal impact on people's reported emotional experiences.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductreasoning

    This approach accounted for temporal autocorrelations present in the BOLD data.

    “This way we could account for temporal autocorrelations present in the BOLD data.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductown data

    Permutation testing with circular sampling on the surrogate ratings was conducted to determine the statistical significance level at P < 0.01 (FDR corrected).

    “Finally, we conducted permutation testing with circular sampling on the surrogate ratings to determine the statistical significance level at P < 0.01 (FDR corrected).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • The authors state this as an assumption: The FDR-based multiple comparisons correction relies on the P values being independent or positively dependent.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductcitation

    Participants' disposition for catching emotions from others was measured with the Measure of Emotional Empathy questionnaire.

    “A participant's disposition for catching emotions from others was assessed by the Measure of Emotional Empathy questionnaire (50).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [50] 50. Mehrabian A, Epstein N (1972) A measure of emotional empathy. J Pers 40:525-543. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Prior studies have provided contradicting evidence on whether activity in frontal regions synchronizes across individuals during prolonged natural stimulation.

    “Prior studies have provided contradicting evidence on whether the activity in the frontal regions synchronizes across individuals during prolonged natural stimulation (14,15).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [14] 14. Hasson U, Nir Y, Levy I, Fuhrmann G, Malach R (2004) Intersubject synchronization of cortical activity during natural vision. Science 303:1634-1640. source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [15] 15. Jääskeläinen IP, et al. (2008) Inter-subject synchronization of prefrontal cortex he- modynamic activity during natural viewing. Open Neuroimaging J 2:14-19. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    The authors argue that emotions increase intersubject synchronization of brain activity and thereby tune specific brain networks across people to support similar perception, experience, and prediction of the world.

    “We argue that emotions enhance intersubject synchronization of brain activity and thus tune-in specific brain networks across individuals to support similar perception, experiencing, and prediction of the world.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductnone given

    A fully nonparametric voxelwise permutation test was applied to determine the final population-level statistical threshold (P < 0.01, FDR corrected) for the maps.

    “A fully nonparametric voxelwise permutation test was applied to determine the final population-level statistical threshold (P < 0.01, FDR corrected) for the maps.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • The authors state this as an assumption: The FDR-based multiple comparisons correction relies on the P values being independent or positively dependent.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductreasoning

    A Gaussian filter, rather than an ideal hemodynamic response function, was used for alignment because the ISC time series have a complex nonlinear relationship with the BOLD signal, making the canonical HRF inappropriate.

    “A Gaussian filter rather than an ideal hemodynamic response function (HRF) was used for alignment, because the ISC time series have a complex nonlinear relationship with the BOLD signal, rendering the canonical HRF inappropriate.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductown data

    The resulting P values were corrected using FDR-based multiple comparisons correction.

    “We corrected the resulting P values using FDR-based multiple comparisons correction with the assumption of independence (or positive dependence).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • The authors state this as an assumption: The FDR-based multiple comparisons correction relies on the P values being independent or positively dependent.
44 of 44

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The post-scan valence and arousal ratings reflect participants' moment-to-moment emotional states during the initial fMRI viewing.

    “After scanning, the participants viewed the movies again and evaluated online their subjective experiences of valence (pleasantnessunpleasantness) and arousal (calmness-activation).”
    “These valence and arousal time series then were used in the general linear model (GLM) to predict moment-to-moment ISC of brain activity during movie viewing.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The emotional events in the movie clips resemble real-life social interactions closely enough that findings generalize to social interaction.

    “Catching emotions that other humans express-here in dynamic scenes resembling everyday life-is associated with intersubject synchronization of brain circuitries related to emotional, attentional, and mentalizing processes.”
    “By enhancing the synchrony of brain activity across individuals, emotions may promote social interaction and facilitate interpersonal understanding.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Seeing emotional stimuli again has only a minimal impact on people's reported emotional experiences.

    “repeated viewing of emotional stimuli has only a negligible effect on self-reported emotional feelings.”

  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    The FDR-based multiple comparisons correction relies on the P values being independent or positively dependent.

    “with the assumption of independence (or positive dependence).”
4 of 4

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • Functional brain imaging has established that the primary somatosensory cortices are engaged during emotional perception and emotional contagion.

    “Functional brain imaging has established that the primary somatosensory cortices are engaged during emotional perception and emotional contagion (25,26)”

    From Bodily maps of emotions (2014) · cites this paper as [25]

    The Results and discussion (page unavailable) report that emotional arousal was associated with synchronized activity in the somatosensory cortices during viewing of emotional films. The paper also discusses their activation when people simulate others’ emotions, but it does not identify the affected regions specifically as primary somatosensory cortex or establish their engagement during emotional contagion itself. (LLM, conf=0.83)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • These results support models assuming that somatosensation and embodiment play critical roles in emotional processing.

    “These results thus support models assuming that somatosensation (25,27) and embodiment (13,14) play critical roles in emotional processing.”

    From Bodily maps of emotions (2014) · cites this paper as [25]

Statistics recomputed

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  • Consistentz > 5.38reported p < .001 · recomputed p < .001

    “(Z > 5.38, p < .001”

1 of 1

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Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

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Cites

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1 of the 57 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. E Hatfield, J Cacioppo, RL Rapson Emotional Contagion (Cambridge Univ Press, New York, 1994).

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Authors
Nummenmaa, L., Glerean, E., Viinikainen, M., Jääskeläinen, I. P., Hari, R., & Sams, M.
Affiliations
  • Turku PET Centre (FI)
  • Aalto University (FI)
ORCID
Venue
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Publisher
National Academy of Sciences
Published
2012-05-23
Volume
109
Issue
24
Pages
9599-9604
ISSN
  • 0027-8424 (ISSN-L)
  • 1091-6490
DOI
10.1073/pnas.1206095109
PMC
PMC3386135
OpenAlex
W2114016387
Cited by
538
References
57
Citations by year
2026: 39 · 2025: 46 · 2024: 45 · 2023: 54 · 2022: 30 · 2021: 48 · 2020: 52 · 2019: 59 · 2018: 29 · 2017: 31 · 2016: 30 · 2015: 29 · 2014: 25 · 2013: 19 · 2012: 2
FWCI
36.19
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Aalto-Yliopisto (138145, 131483)
  • FP7 Ideas: European Research Council (232946)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Action Observation and Synchronization
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
Keywords
inter-subject correlation, neuronal synchronization, emotion perception, emotional valence, emotional arousal, social interaction, default mode network, attentional networks, corticolimbic circuits, interpersonal understanding, shared emotions
MeSH terms
Brain, Emotions, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Magnetic Resonance Imaging

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 2026-09-30.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-09-30.

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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