Assessing the neural correlates of self-enhancement bias: a transcranial magnetic stimulation study.
Considerable research has focused on overly positive self-perceptions (self-enhancement), and yet little is known about the underlying neural mechanisms. The present study sought to assess the neural correlates of self-enhancement by applying Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) to three brain regions. Twelve participants rated their best friend, as well as the self on a set of desirable or undesirable traits while TMS pulses were delivered in a virtual lesion manner. During the baseline condition (Sham TMS), participants produced more desirable and fewer undesirable ratings for themselves as compared to their best friend, showing self-enhancement. Compared to Sham TMS, TMS delivered to the Medial Prefrontal Cortex (MPFC) reduced self-enhancement whereas TMS delivered to the Supplementary Motor Area (SMA) and the precuneus did not. Together, these findings suggest that the MPFC may influence self-enhancement.
Kwan
Virginia S Y
VS
Department of Psychology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA.
Barrios
Veronica
V
Ganis
Giorgio
G
Gorman
Jamie
J
Lange
Claudia
C
Kumar
Monisha
M
Shepard
Alejandro
A
Keenan
Julian Paul
JP
D000328:Adult; D015982:Bias; D001931:Brain Mapping; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008297:Male; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D012649:Self Concept; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation