The rewarding nature of social interactions

Krach, Sören

doi:10.3389/fnbeh.2010.00022

Cited by 130 publications

(114 citation statements)

References 36 publications

(46 reference statements)

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“…In the social domain, findings from studies comparing social and non-social stimuli (Perry, A., Stein, L., & Bentin, S., 2011;Perry, Troje & Bentin, 2010;Pineda & Hecht, 2009), with the aim of deconstructing the social relevance of the mirror motor system, could be accounted for by the intrinsic reward that may be associated with social stimuli and social interaction, as opposed to stimuli devoid of any social meaning or value that may be inherently less rewarding. In other words, the social interaction in itself may be rewarding to the observer, as suggested by some authors (Krach, Paulus, Bodden, & Kircher, 2010). This may also be relevant to studies which have found that the social relationship between the observer and the performer may influence mirror neuron activity (Liew, Han, & Aziz-Zadeh, 2010).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 71%

Modulation of motor cortex activity when observing rewarding and punishing actions

et al. 2013

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a b s t r a c tInterpreting others' actions is essential for understanding the intentions and goals in social interactions. Activity in the motor cortex is evoked when we see another person performing actions, which can also be influenced by the intentions and context of the observed action. No study has directly explored the influence of reward and punishment on motor cortex activity when observing others' actions, which is likely to have substantial relevance in different social contexts. In this experiment, EEG was recorded while participants watched movie clips of a person performing actions that led to a monetary reward, loss or no change for the observer. Using the EEG mu rhythm as an index of motor resonance, our results demonstrate that observation of rewarding actions produce significantly greater motor cortex activity than punishing or neutral actions, with punishing actions producing greater activity than neutral ones. In addition, the dynamic change in the mu rhythm over sensorimotor cortex is modulated by reward and punishment, with punishing actions producing a prolonged suppression. These findings demonstrate that the associated reward value of an observed action may be crucial in determining the strength of the representation of the action in the observer's brain. Consequently, reward and punishment is likely to drive observational learning through changes in the action observation network, and may also influence how we interpret, understand, engage in and empathize with others' actions in social interaction.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 71%

Modulation of motor cortex activity when observing rewarding and punishing actions

et al. 2013

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“…These areas have been associated with social reward (Krach et al . ), emotional empathy (Abu‐Akel & Shamay‐Tsoory ; Fan et al . ), cognitive empathy (CE) and theory of mind (ToM; Gallagher & Frith ; Blair ; Vollm et al .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impaired emotional empathy and related social network deficits in cocaine users

Preller¹,

Hulka²,

Vonmoos³

et al. 2013

Addiction Biology

129

136

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Chronic cocaine users consistently display neurochemical and functional alterations in brain areas involved in social cognition (e.g. medial and orbitofrontal cortex). Although social functioning plays a crucial role in the development and treatment of drug dependence, studies investigating social cognition in cocaine users are lacking. Therefore, we investigated mental perspective taking ('theory of mind') and emotional and cognitive empathy in recreational (RCU) and dependent (DCU) cocaine users. Furthermore, we related these measures to real-life indicators of social functioning. One-hundred cocaine users (69 RCU, 31 DCU) and 68 stimulant-naïve healthy controls were tested with the Multifaceted Empathy Test (MET), Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition (MASC) and Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET). The Social Network Questionnaire was conducted to assess social network size. Furthermore, participants provided information on committed criminal offenses. RCU and DCU showed less emotional empathy compared to controls (MET), whereas cognitive empathy was not impaired (MET, RMET). Additionally, DCU made more errors in mental perspective taking (MASC). Notably, cocaine users committed more criminal offenses and displayed a smaller social network and higher cocaine use was correlated with less social contacts. Diminished mental perspective taking was tentatively correlated with more intense cocaine use as well. Finally, younger age of onset of cocaine use was associated with more pronounced empathy impairment. In conclusion, social cognition impairments in cocaine users were related to real-life social functioning and should therefore be considered in therapy and prevention strategies. AbstractChronic cocaine users consistently display neurochemical and functional alterations in brain areas involved in social cognition (e.g., medial and orbitofrontal cortex). Although social functioning plays a crucial role in the development and treatment of drug dependence, studies investigating social cognition in cocaine users are lacking. Therefore, we investigated mental perspective-taking ("Theory- offences. RCU and DCU showed less emotional empathy compared to controls (MET), whereas cognitive empathy was not impaired (MET, RMET). Additionally, DCU made more errors in mental perspective-taking (MASC). Notably, cocaine users committed more criminal offences and displayed a smaller social network and higher cocaine use was correlated with less social contacts. Diminished mental perspective-taking was tentatively correlated with more intense cocaine use as well. Finally, younger age-of-onset of cocaine use was associated with more pronounced empathy impairment. In conclusion, social cognition impairments in cocaine users were related to real-life social functioning and should therefore be considered in therapy and prevention strategies.

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“…These effects may involve in increase anxiety and depression. The positive effects of social interaction are dependent on reward center (Krach, Paulus, Bodden, & Kircher, 2010). Of hormonal factors, oxytocin is the most putative hormone.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Morphine Addiction is Tolerated Better in Socialized Male Rats

Famitafreshi¹,

Karimian²

2017

Sleep Hypn

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Drug abuse in some addicts progresses to compulsive drug seeking and taking behaviors. High-risk addictive behaviors tend to make interactions between an addict and the community more complex. Socialization is a necessary process that needs to be developed to accommodate to social life.The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefits of social interaction during addiction. Forty two (42) male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: social, isolated, socialized morphine-treated (SMT) and isolated morphine-treated (IMT). At the end of the study, neurogenesis, corticosterone, nitrite/nitrate, anhedonia with forced swim test and sucrose and salt craving were examined. Neurogenesis was reduced in IMT group compared to SMT group. SMT animals and control demonstrated better forced swim test performance compared to IMT animals. Furthermore, sucrose and salt (NaCl 3%) consumption was found to be higher in IMT animals compared to SMT animals. Corticosterone was higher in IMT rats compared to SMT rats. Nitrite/nitrate was higher in IMT rats compared to SMT rats. Socialization preserves brain functions necessary for life. Hence, socialized addicts can better tolerate addiction-induced adverse effects.

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The rewarding nature of social interactions

Cited by 130 publications

References 36 publications

Modulation of motor cortex activity when observing rewarding and punishing actions

Modulation of motor cortex activity when observing rewarding and punishing actions

Impaired emotional empathy and related social network deficits in cocaine users

Morphine Addiction is Tolerated Better in Socialized Male Rats

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