Damage to dorsolateral prefrontal cortex affects tradeoffs between honesty and self-interest

Nat Neurosci. 2014 Oct;17(10):1319-21. doi: 10.1038/nn.3798. Epub 2014 Aug 31.

Abstract

Substantial correlational evidence suggests that prefrontal regions are critical to honest and dishonest behavior, but causal evidence specifying the nature of this involvement remains absent. We found that lesions of the human dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) decreased the effect of honesty concerns on behavior in economic games that pit honesty motives against self-interest, but did not affect decisions when honesty concerns were absent. These results point to a causal role for DLPFC in honest behavior.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Brain Injuries / pathology*
  • Brain Injuries / psychology*
  • Brain Mapping
  • Choice Behavior / physiology
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Games, Experimental
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Male
  • Models, Neurological
  • Morals*
  • Motivation / physiology*
  • Prefrontal Cortex / physiopathology*
  • Statistics, Nonparametric