Studying the neurobiology of social interaction with transcranial direct current stimulation--the example of punishing unfairness

Cereb Cortex. 2008 Sep;18(9):1987-90. doi: 10.1093/cercor/bhm237. Epub 2007 Dec 24.

Abstract

Studying social behavior often requires the simultaneous interaction of many subjects. As yet, however, no painless, noninvasive brain stimulation tool existed that allowed the simultaneous affection of brain processes in many interacting subjects. Here we show that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can overcome these limits. We apply right prefrontal cathodal tDCS and show that subjects' propensity to punish unfair behavior is reduced significantly.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Games, Experimental
  • Group Processes
  • Humans
  • Neurobiology / instrumentation
  • Neurobiology / methods*
  • Prefrontal Cortex / physiology
  • Punishment / psychology*
  • Social Behavior*
  • Sociology / instrumentation
  • Sociology / methods*
  • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / methods*