Role of rDLPFC in prosocial motivation and self-maximization: rTMS study

There is evidence that rDLPFC plays a crucial role in prosocial decision making. Nonetheless, this topic is a hot issue in scholarly debates, as previous research shows no consistent results considering effects after suppression of rDLPFC and its influence on selfish and altruistic behavior. Some studies (Knoch, 2006, Christov-Moore, 2017) claim that rDLPFC inhibition modulates prosocial behavior in sharing games when others demonstrate opposite results while using similar paradigms. The general purpose of this paper is to determine whether the suppression of rDLPFC leads to prosociality or to self-maximization during financial transactions The aim of current research is to identify the behavioral effects of rDLPFC inhibition. Continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) is used in order to disrupt the functioning of the rDLPFC. The right MT/V5 is used as a control area. After the stimulation, the participants (N=17) play the Generosity and the Dictator games. It was shown that after rDLPFC suppression people make more prosocial decisions in the Generosity game, while decisions in the Dictator game decline.