by Rephrased News:
The intriguing phenomenon of altruism, or the act of helping others at one’s own expense, has long puzzled scientists. A recent study published in the journal “Nature Neuroscience” sheds new light on the neural mechanisms that underpin this selfless behavior.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences in Germany used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to study the brains of 35 participants as they made decisions to help others or keep resources for themselves. The results revealed that altruistic decisions activated specific areas in the brain, including the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and the insula.
The ventromedial prefrontal cortex, located in the frontal lobe, is known to be involved in decision-making, emotion regulation, and social behavior. The insula, on the other hand, is a region that plays a crucial role in processing emotions, particularly those related to empathy and compassion.
According to the researchers, these findings suggest that altruistic decisions are driven by a complex interplay of emotional and cognitive processes. When we witness someone in need, the emotional response triggered in the insula prompts us to feel empathy and compassion. Simultaneously, the ventromedial prefrontal cortex evaluates the situation and calculates the potential costs and benefits of helping. If the emotional response outweighs the perceived costs, the decision to help is made.
These findings add to our understanding of the neural mechanisms that drive altruistic behavior and provide valuable insights into the complex interplay between emotions and decision-making. The study also highlights the importance of empathy and compassion in shaping our interactions with others and contributing to a more cooperative and caring society.
a recent study published in “Nature Neuroscience” has provided new insights into the neural mechanisms that underpin altruistic behavior. The study, which used functional magnetic resonance Spinal imaging to study the brains of participants making decisions to help others or keep resources for themselves, revealed that altruistic decisions activate specific areas in the brain, including the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and the insula. These findings suggest that altruistic decisions are driven by a complex interplay of emotional and cognitive processes, with emotional responses triggered in the insula prompting feelings of empathy and compassion, and the ventromedial prefrontal cortex evaluating the situation and calculating the potential costs and benefits of helping.
