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Lateral orbitofrontal cortex activity is modulated by group membership in situations of justified and unjustified violence

Version 2 2024-05-30, 12:46
Version 1 2020-01-30, 14:07
journal contribution
posted on 2024-05-30, 12:46 authored by JF Domínguez D, F van Nunspeet, A Gupta, Robbie EresRobbie Eres, WR Louis, J Decety, P Molenberghs
The role of the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) in moral decision-making is well established. However, OFC activity is highly context dependent. It is affected by the extent to which choices are morally justified and whom they concern. In the current study, we specifically focus on contextual factors and investigate the differential role of the OFC during justified and unjustified violence towards ingroup versus outgroup members. Muslims were chosen as the outgroup, as they are currently stereotypically seen as an outgroup and a potential threat by some Non-Muslims. Importantly, we also introduce a context where participants are the actual agents responsible for doing harm. During fMRI scanning, Non-Muslim participants had to decide to either shoot a Non-Muslim (i.e., ingroup member) or Muslim (outgroup member) depending on whether they believed the target was holding a gun or an object. Neuroimaging results showed increased activation in the lateral OFC (lOFC) in the three contrasts that were distressing: 1) during unjustifiable killing; 2) when being killed; and 3) when confronted by an outgroup member with a gun. Together, these results provide important insights into the neurocognitive mechanisms involved in intergroup violence and highlight the critical role of the lOFC in context dependent social decision-making.

History

Journal

Social Neuroscience

Volume

13

Pagination

739-755

Location

England

ISSN

1747-0919

eISSN

1747-0927

Language

English

Publication classification

C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Issue

6

Publisher

ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD