Social interaction alters neural representations of self-identity: Evidence of possible neural precursors to social learning

Abstract

Social interaction requires enough social flexibility to accommodate an interlocutor’s perspective. Our previous research demonstrated that suppression of self-identity may be necessary during a social interaction with a friendly stranger if they have different social values. The present study examines neurobiological mechanisms responsible for suppressing self-identity and entertaining the stranger’s perspective. This study takes a semi-naturalistic neuroscience approach. Eighteen participants underwent an fMRI scan immediately after having a social interaction with a stranger. We hypothesized that pairing of activation in the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) and dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC) because they reflect activation of self-regulation and changes in self-identity. Brain activity in the IFG and dmPFC emerged, supporting our hypothesis and previous behavioral findings, and the precuneus played a key role. Evidence of social learning also emerged, which demonstrated that neural changes may occur before behavioral changes do. These findings suggest that social interaction influences self-identity on a neurobiological level and that neurobehavioral suppression of the social self may be a precursor to social learning. This study is the first to directly compare neural activation associated with active and stable self-concepts in an fMRI scanner after a social interaction. Findings will act as a foundation for future fully-naturalistic neuroscience studies to base hypotheses upon.