Electrophysiological Correlates of Racial In-group Bias in Observing Nonverbal Social Encounters

Yuta Katsumi; Florin Dolcos; Matthew Moore; Bruce D. Bartholow; Monica Fabiani; Sanda Dolcos

doi:10.1162/jocn_a_01475

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Electrophysiological Correlates of Racial In-group Bias in Observing Nonverbal Social Encounters

Journal article

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Electrophysiological Correlates of Racial In-group Bias in Observing Nonverbal Social Encounters

Yuta Katsumi, Florin Dolcos, Matthew Moore, Bruce D. Bartholow, Monica Fabiani and Sanda Dolcos

Journal of cognitive neuroscience, Vol.32(1), pp.167-186

01/01/2020

DOI: 10.1162/jocn_a_01475

PMID: 31560271

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Abstract

Despite evidence identifying the role of group membership in social cognition, the neural mechanisms associated with the perception and evaluation of nonverbal behaviors displayed by in-group versus out-group members remain unclear. Here, 42 white participants underwent electroencephalographic recording while observing social encounters involving dynamic displays of nonverbal behaviors by racial in-group and out-group avatar characters. Dynamic behaviors included approach and avoidance poses and expressions, followed by the participants' ratings of the avatars displaying them. Behaviorally, participants showed longer RTs when evaluating in-group approach behavior compared with other behaviors, possibly suggesting increased interest and attention devoted to processing positive social encounters with their in-group members. Analyses of ERPs revealed differential sensitivity of the N450 and late positivity components to social cues, with the former showing initial sensitivity to the presence of a humanoid avatar character at the beginning of social encounters and the latter showing sensitivity to dynamic nonverbal behaviors displayed by the avatars. Moreover, time-frequency analysis of electroencephalography data also identified suppression of beta-range power linked to the observation of dynamic nonverbal behaviors. Notably, the magnitude of these responses was modulated by the degree of behavioral racial in-group bias. This suggests that differential neural sensitivity to nonverbal cues while observing social encounters is associated with subsequent in-group bias manifested in the evaluation of such encounters. Collectively, these findings shed light on the mechanisms of racial in-group bias in social cognition and have implications for understanding factors related to successful interactions with individuals from diverse racial backgrounds.

Life Sciences & Biomedicine

Neurosciences

Neurosciences & Neurology

Psychology

Psychology, Experimental

Science & Technology

Social Sciences

Details

Title: Subtitle: Electrophysiological Correlates of Racial In-group Bias in Observing Nonverbal Social Encounters
Creators: Yuta Katsumi - University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Florin Dolcos - University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Matthew Moore - University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Bruce D. Bartholow - University of Missouri
Monica Fabiani - University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Sanda Dolcos - University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of cognitive neuroscience, Vol.32(1), pp.167-186
DOI: 10.1162/jocn_a_01475
PMID: 31560271
NLM abbreviation: J Cogn Neurosci
ISSN: 0898-929X
eISSN: 1530-8898
Publisher: Mit Press
Number of pages: 20
Grant note: Emanuel Donchin Professorial Scholarship in Psychology from the University of Illinois Helen Corley Petit Scholarship in Liberal Arts and Sciences from the University of Illinois Honjo International Scholarship Foundation Beckman Institute
Language: English
Date published: 01/01/2020
Academic Unit: Psychological and Brain Sciences; Iowa Neuroscience Institute
Record Identifier: 9984446422402771

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