About Careers MedBlog Contact us
Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Advertisement

When People Agree With Us, Our Brains 'Light Up' in Delight

by Kathy Jones on June 20, 2010 at 12:36 PM
Font : A-A+

 When People Agree With Us, Our Brains 'Light Up' in Delight

No matter how much we like to argue, we love it when people agree with us, scientists have said.

Researchers Chris Frith and colleagues at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging at UCL (University College London) in collaboration with Aarhus University in Denmark have found that the 'reward' area of the brain is activated when people agree with our opinions.

Advertisement

The team, in a study of 28 volunteers in the UK, found that agreeing with a person's opinions affects ventral striatum, the area of the brain associated with receiving rewards. All volunteers were asked about their favourite songs and then made to sit with 'experts' who decided whether they liked them too. The subjects were then placed in a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanner, which records brain activity by measuring related changes in blood flow.

When the reviewers agreed with the subject's own choice, the team found that the subject's ventral striatum, the area of the brain associated with rewards, became active. Activity in this area tended to be strongest when both reviewers agreed with the subject.
Advertisement

The team also found that after the experiment, a majority of the subjects changed their opinions according to the reviewers' and seven people changed their opinions opposite to the reviewers.

"It seems that not only are some people more influenced by the opinions of others, but by looking at activity in the brain, we can tell who those people are," says Professor Frith.

The study is published today in the journal Current Biology.

Source: ANI
Advertisement

Advertisement
Advertisement

Recommended Reading

Latest General Health News

 Over Four Million Gardeners Place Their Hearing in Danger
New research by Tinnitus UK has found that over four million gardeners are putting their hearing capacity at risk this summer without using safety protection.
Breaking the Barrier: Unraveling Mucus Plugs to Save Lives in COPD
Mucus plugs could be targeted to help reduce fatalities from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
 Disease Modifying Therapies for Multiple Sclerosis Continue to Drive Up Healthcare Cost
The development of reliable curative therapies for multiple sclerosis could significantly reduce the economic burden of the disease on patients and wider society.
 New Genetic Variant Provides Protection Against Alzheimer's Disease
A genetic variant in a patient protected from autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease (ADAD) suggests a role for RELN signaling in resilience to dementia.
Boosting Breast Cancer Survival With Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Boost your breast cancer survival odds by following prevention recommendations. Lifestyle factors matter! Exercise, diet, and personalized support are crucial for lasting change.
View All
This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close
×

When People Agree With Us, Our Brains 'Light Up' in Delight Personalised Printable Document (PDF)

Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested

You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends.

Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice.

Name *

Email Address *

Country *

Areas of Interests