Assessing the Neural Correlates of Self-Enhancement Bias: A Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Study

Authors

Virginia S.Y. Kwan, Princeton University
Veronica Barrios, Montclair State UniversityFollow
Giorgio Ganis, Harvard UniversityFollow
Jamie Gorman, Rutgers - The State University of New Jersey, NewarkFollow
Claudia Lange, University of Pennsylvania
Monisha Kumar, University of Pennsylvania
Alejandro Shepard, University of Pennsylvania
Julian Keenan, Montclair State UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-1-2007

Journal / Book Title

Experimental Brain Research

Abstract

Considerable research has focused on overly positive self-perceptions (self-enhancement), and yet little is known about the underlying neural mechanisms. The present study sought to assess the neural correlates of self-enhancement by applying Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) to three brain regions. Twelve participants rated their best friend, as well as the self on a set of desirable or undesirable traits while TMS pulses were delivered in a virtual lesion manner. During the baseline condition (Sham TMS), participants produced more desirable and fewer undesirable ratings for themselves as compared to their best friend, showing self-enhancement. Compared to Sham TMS, TMS delivered to the Medial Prefrontal Cortex (MPFC) reduced self-enhancement whereas TMS delivered to the Supplementary Motor Area (SMA) and the precuneus did not. Together, these findings suggest that the MPFC may influence self-enhancement.

DOI

10.1007/s00221-007-0992-2

Montclair State University Digital Commons Citation

Kwan, Virginia S.Y.; Barrios, Veronica; Ganis, Giorgio; Gorman, Jamie; Lange, Claudia; Kumar, Monisha; Shepard, Alejandro; and Keenan, Julian, "Assessing the Neural Correlates of Self-Enhancement Bias: A Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Study" (2007). Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works. 102.
https://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/biology-facpubs/102