The neural basis of individual differences in mate poaching.
This study tested the hypothesis that individual differences in the activity of the orbitofrontal cortex, a region implicated in value-based decision-making, are associated with the preference for a person with a partner, which could lead to mate poaching. During functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), male participants were presented with facial photographs of (a) attractive females with a partner, (b) attractive females without a partner, (c) unattractive females with a partner, and (d) unattractive females without a partner. The participants were asked to rate the degree to which they desired a romantic relationship with each female using an 8-point scale. The participants rated attractive females higher than unattractive females, and this effect was associated with ventral striatum activation. The participants also indicated lower ratings for females with a partner than for females without a partner, and this effect was associated with parietal cortex activation. As predicted, the participants characterized by higher orbitofrontal activity demonstrated a greater willingness to engage in a romantic relationship with females who have a partner compared with females who do not have a partner. These results are the first to provide a possible neural explanation for why certain individuals are willing to engage in mate poaching.
a Graduate School of Letters , Kyoto University , Kyoto , Japan.
Ryuhei
R
Ueda
a Graduate School of Letters , Kyoto University , Kyoto , Japan.
Hiroshi
H
Ashida
b Kokoro Research Center , Kyoto University , Kyoto , Japan.
Kuniaki
K
Yanagisawa
b Kokoro Research Center , Kyoto University , Kyoto , Japan.
Nobuhito
N
Abe
D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D004954:Esthetics / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008149:Love; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012201:Reward; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology; D012919:Social Behavior; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
fMRI; individual differences; love; orbitofrontal cortex; reward