Scientists may be closer to reversing selfishness in people and making them more “generous and kind.”
According to a new study, researchers have managed to make people ‘less selfish’ by simulating certain parts of the brain.
In an experiment at the University of Zurich, 44 volunteers were asked to split a sum of money between themselves and an anonymous partner.
During their decision-making phase, an electrical current was applied to the frontal and parietal areas of the brain.
This is evident from findings published in the journal PLOS biology, these two areas influence participants’ decision-making in the simulation phase, pushing them to give away more money.
Although the generosity effects have been proven to be temporary, this sets the stage for future research on collaboration.
These findings also suggest that generosity can be more than a moral lesson. It is possible to reduce selfishness and at the same time reshape the functioning of the brain.
Professor Christian Ruff, one of the lead authors who carried out the experiments, said: “The effects were not huge, but they are consistent.” offers hope for futuristic opportunities.
“We have identified a pattern of communication between brain regions associated with altruistic choices. This improves our fundamental understanding of how the brain supports social decisions, and sets the stage for future research on cooperation – especially in situations where success depends on cooperation between people,” Ruff added.
In the future, researchers could use these findings to develop intervention tools to improve social function in individuals dealing with psychiatric conditions.
