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. 2018 Jan 5;8(2):e00902.
doi: 10.1002/brb3.902. eCollection 2018 Feb.

Cooperate or not cooperate EEG, autonomic, and behavioral correlates of ineffective joint strategies

Michela Balconi  1   2 , Laura Gatti  1   2 , Maria Elide Vanutelli  1   2
Affiliations

Cooperate or not cooperate EEG, autonomic, and behavioral correlates of ineffective joint strategies

Michela Balconi et al. Brain Behav. .

Abstract

Introduction: The neural activity in response to ineffective joint actions was explored in the present study. Subjects involved in a cooperative but frustrating task (poor performance as manipulated by an external feedback) were required to cooperate (T1) during an attentional task in a way to synchronize their responses and obtain better outcomes.

Methods: We manipulated their strategies by providing false feedbacks (T2) signaling the incapacity to create a synergy, which was reinforced by a general negative evaluation halfway through the game. A control condition was provided (no cooperation required, T0) as well as a check for possible learning effect (time series analysis). The effects of the feedback in modulating subjects' behavioral performance and electrocortical activity were explored by means of brain oscillations (delta, theta, alpha, beta) and autonomic activity (heart rate, HR; skin conductance activity, SCR).

Results: Results showed a specific pattern of behavioral, neural, and peripheral responses after the social feedback. In fact, within this condition, worse behavioral outcomes emerged, with longer response times with respect to the prefeedback one. In parallel, a specific right-lateralized effect was observed over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), with increased delta and theta power compared to the previous condition. Moreover, increased SCR was observed with respect to the first part.

Conclusions: Two interpretations are put forward to explain the present findings: 1) the contribution of negative emotions in response to failing interactions or 2) a motivational disengagement toward goal-oriented cooperation elicited by frustrating evaluations.

Keywords: cooperation; electroencephalographic; frustration; negative feedback; skin conductance activity; strategies.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Experimental procedure which represents the setting, the attentional task, and EEG/autonomic activity recording
Figure 2
Figure 2
EEG montage over AFF1 h, Fz, AFF2 h, FFC3 h, FFC4 h, C3, Cz, C4, P3, Pz, P4, O1, O2, T7, and T8
Figure 3
Figure 3
(a) RTs modulation as a function of pre‐ and postfeedback conditions. The postfeedback condition was characterized by longer RTs. (b) SCR modulation as a function of pre‐ and postfeedback conditions. The postfeedback condition was characterized by increased SCR activity
Figure 4
Figure 4
Delta frequency band activity as a function of condition, lateralization, and localization. The postfeedback condition was characterized by a general increased right delta activity over (a) DLPFC and (b) anterior frontal sites
Figure 5
Figure 5
Delta frequency band activity as a function of condition, lateralization, and localization. The postfeedback condition was characterized by a general increased right theta activity over the DLPFC
Figure 6
Figure 6
Alpha frequency band activity as a function of condition, lateralization, and localization. (a) A localization effect showing alpha activity decreases activity over the DLPFC with respect to anterior frontal, central, and parietal areas. (b) A lateralization effect showing that the decrease was mainly present within the right, with respect to the left hemisphere
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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