Virtual reality (VR) has become a popular tool for investigating human behavior and brain functions. Nevertheless, it is unclear whether VR constitutes an actual form of or more like advanced simulation. Determining the nature been mostly achieved by self-reported presence measurements, defined as feeling being submerged in experience. However, subjective measurements might be prone to bias and, most importantly, do not allow comparison with real-life experiences. Here, we show that height...

The 5-HTTLPR is an insertion/deletion polymorphism in the promoter region of serotonin transporter gene. Prior research has revealed associations between short-allele variant this polymorphism, enhanced self-reported negative emotionality, and hypersensitivity fear relevant neural circuits. In a sample 50 healthy women we examined role for cognitive-affective processing phylogenetical fear-relevant stimuli (spiders) dot probe task. contrast to homozygote long-allele carriers (ll),...

We investigated whether greed would predict risky decision-making and recorded neural responses during a monetary gambling task using the electroencephalogram. found that individuals high in trait-greed took higher risks to maximize outcome. Furthermore, this relation was moderated by state-greed; specifically, had stronger impact on when activated situational characteristics. On level, greedy showed specific response favorable unfavorable outcomes. Specifically, they reduced...

Abstract We systematically compared different measures of attentional bias (i.e., reaction times, the N2pc component in EEG, and explicit stimulus ratings) on their ability to reveal engagement threatening versus neutral facial stimuli a Dot Probe Task tested relation trait general social anxiety. found that reflects toward angry faces with excellent internal consistency. Similar results were obtained for ratings. Reaction time (RT) differences, however, not indicative biases showed zero...

Abstract Theta oscillations in the EEG have been shown to reflect ongoing cognitive processes related mental effort. Here, we show that pattern of theta oscillation response varying demands reflects stable individual differences personality trait epistemic motivation: Individuals with high levels motivation recruit relatively more resources situations possessing high, compared low, demand; individuals low do not such a specific response. Our results provide direct evidence for theory...

Abstract Previous studies have shown that ingroup/outgroup membership influences individual’s fairness considerations. However, it is not clear yet how group brain activity when a recipient evaluates the of asset distribution. In this study, subjects participated as recipients in an Ultimatum Game with alleged members both experimentally induced ingroup and outgroup. They either received extremely unequal, moderately or equal offers from proposers while electroencephalogram was recorded....

By means of transcranial direct current stimulation applied to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, we investigated causal role increased or decreased excitability this brain region for two facets executive functions: working memory and Stroop interference control. We tested 1) whether anodal tDCS DLPFC enhances 15 minutes after termination in absence task practice under stimulation; 2) control, as evidenced by performance sequence effects; 3) cathodal leads compromised functioning...

Fear learning is a crucial process in the pathogeneses of psychiatric disorders, which highlights need to identify specific factors contributing interindividual variation. We hypothesized variation serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR) and stressful life events (SLEs) be associated with neural correlates fear conditioning sample healthy male adults (n = 47). Subjects were exposed differential paradigm after being preselected regarding 5-HTTLPR genotype SLEs. Individual differences brain...

Abstract The feedback negativity ( FN ) has been repeatedly linked to expectancies about decision outcomes. Sequential outcome order is likely influence such but widely disregarded. We therefore investigated whether the three‐trial of outcomes in a gambling task influences as well P 200 and 300. All three deflections were not only influenced by valence current trial also two preceding trials. In detail, 300 any largest when trials had an opposite valence. was highest context directly wins,...

The present study investigates how different emotions can alter social bargaining behavior. An important paradigm to is the Ultimatum Game. There, a proposer gets pot of money and has offer part it responder. If responder accepts, both players get as proposed by proposer. he rejects, none anything. Rational choice models would predict that responders accept all offers above 0. However, evidence shows typically reject large proportion unfair offers. We analyzed participants' behavior when...

Previous research has shown that receiving an unfair monetary offer in economic bargaining elicits also-called feedback negativity (FN).This scalprecorded brain potential probably reflects a bad-vs-good evaluation the medial frontal cortex and been linked to fundamental processes of reinforcement learning.In present study, we investigated whether evaluative mechanism indexed by FN is also involved learning who vs fair partner.An electroencephalogram was recorded while participants completed...

Fear is an evolutionary adaption to a hazardous environment, linked numerous complex behavioral responses, e.g., the fight-or-flight response, suiting their respective environment. However, for sake of experimental control, fear mainly investigated under rather artificial laboratory conditions. The latter transform these adaptions into like keystrokes. immersive, multidimensional character virtual reality (VR) enables realistic overcoming aforementioned limitations. To investigate authentic...

People strongly differ in their emotional reactions to potentially stressing and challenging environmental circumstances. Two classes of individual differences have independently been reported contribute such vulnerability: an attentional bias negative information a variation the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR). The present study was conducted investigate possibility that these cognitive genetic markers interact prospective prediction reactivity extended mild potential stressor....

In their adaptive control hypothesis, Cavanagh and Shackman (2015) recently claimed that dispositional anxiety is correlated with frontal-midline theta (FMθ) as a generic "need for control" signal of the anterior midcingulate cortex. Here, we tested this assumption, also considering potential modulatory influences anticipatory threat individuals' sex. nonclinical sample 168 participants (84 women), electroencephalogram was recorded while individuals performed simple two-choice task. Half...

Prior research indicates that the feedback-related negativity (FRN) reflects a good versus bad evaluation of decision outcomes, which is insensitive to local utilitarian relation between chosen and unchosen outcomes. We tested whether this negative finding holds when outcome has an objective value zero therefore comparison with needed identify overall choice valence. Participants completed gambling task in options could result monetary wins, losses, or breaking even. Results show FRN does...

Abstract A relatively new cognitive‐affective training procedure, the Attentional Bias Modification ( ABM ) technique, is thought to decrease biases in allocation of attention toward negative emotional stimuli. In two studies, we tested samples healthy students whether a single session has an influence on early orienting spatial as indexed by N2pc . Replicating previous found occipitotemporal (180–300 ms) contralateral angry versus neutral facial expressions, indicating that threatening...