Exploring the neural mechanisms underlying cooperation and competition behavior: Insights from stereo-electroencephalography hyperscanning
Xiaojun Qiao, Rui Li, Huimin Huang, Yang Hong, Xiaoran Li, Ziyue Li, Siyi Chen, Lizhi Yang, ShengTeng Ong, Yi Yao, Feng‐Peng Wang, Xiaobin Zhang, Kao‐Min Lin, Yongna Xiao, Mingxiang Weng, Junsong Zhang
Abstract
Cooperation and competition are essential social behaviors in human society. This study utilized hyperscanning and stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG) to investigate intra- and inter-brain neural dynamics underlying these behaviors within the insula and inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), regions critical for executive function and mentalizing. We found distinct high-gamma responses and connectivity patterns, with a stronger influence from IFG to insula during competition and more balanced interactions during cooperation. Inter-brain synchronization shows significantly higher insula gamma synchronization during competition and higher IFG gamma synchronization during cooperation. Cross-frequency coupling suggests that these gamma synchronizations result from intra- and inter-brain interactions. Competition stems from intra-brain alpha-gamma coupling from IFG to insula and inter-brain IFG alpha synchronization, while cooperation is driven by intra-brain beta-gamma coupling from insula to IFG and inter-brain insula beta synchronization. Our findings provide insights into the neural basis of cooperation and competition, highlighting the roles of both insula and IFG.