Cited by 165Functional Brain Connectivity StudiesNeural and Behavioral Psychology StudiesAction Observation and Synchronization

The brain’s functional network architecture reveals human motives

Hein, Grit, Morishima, Yosuke, Leiberg, Susanne, Sul, Sunhae, Fehr, Ernst·2016·Science

Abstract

Brain activity shows underlying motives: In humans, two completely different motives may nevertheless lead to exactly the same behavior. Because we can't directly observe motives, modern economists often completely disregard them. However, Hein et al. , using fMRI, show that different human motives can yield observable responses in the brain (see the Perspective by Gluth and Fontanesi). In empathy-based and reciprocity-based altruistic behavior, the direction and the strength of functional connectivity between specific brain regions were different for each motive. Moreover, the connectivity patterns were independent of the behavioral implications of the motives. Science , this issue p. 1074 ; see also p. 1028

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Crossref · 10.1126/science.aac7992

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  • More sensitive changes in neural responses have often been observed in previous studies of prosocial behavior.

    “More sensitive changes in neural responses have often been observed in previous studies of prosocial behavior 43 .”

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Authors
Hein, G., Morishima, Y., Leiberg, S., Sul, S., & Fehr, E.
Affiliations
  • University of Zurich (CH)
  • University of Bern (CH)
  • Pusan National University (KR)
Corresponding author
Hein, Grit
Venue
Science
Published
2016-03-04
Volume
351
Issue
6277
Pages
1074-1078
ISSN
  • 0036-8075 (ISSN-L)
  • 1095-9203
OpenAlex
W2292373711
Cited by
165
References
34
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 29 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 16 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 22 · 2017: 22 · 2016: 6
FWCI
13.40
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Science (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • BORIS (University Library Bern) (submittedVersion)
  • Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • European Research Council
  • Swiss National Science Foundation
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Action Observation and Synchronization
Keywords
motives, altruism, brain connectivity, anterior cingulate cortex, anterior insula, ventral striatum, selfishness, empathy induction, goal-directed behavior
MeSH terms
Altruism, Cerebral Cortex, Empathy, Female, Gyrus Cinguli, Humans, Motivation, Nerve Net, Social Behavior, Young Adult

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