Neural Correlates of Hate
Author Information
Author(s): Zeki Semir, Romaya John Paul
Primary Institution: Wellcome Laboratory of Neurobiology, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
Hypothesis
The pattern of brain activity generated by viewing the face of a hated person would be distinct from that produced by viewing the face of a lover.
Conclusion
The study shows that there is a unique pattern of brain activity associated with the sentiment of hate.
Supporting Evidence
- Viewing a hated face resulted in increased activity in specific brain regions.
- The study found a linear correlation between brain activity and the declared level of hatred.
- The pattern of brain activity associated with hate shares some areas with that of romantic love.
Takeaway
When people look at someone they hate, their brains react in a special way that is different from how they react to someone they love.
Methodology
A block-design fMRI study was conducted with 17 subjects who viewed faces of individuals they hated and neutral acquaintances while their brain activity was measured.
Potential Biases
Subjects were self-selected based on their reported feelings of hate, which may introduce bias.
Limitations
The study focused only on hate directed at individuals and did not explore other forms of hate or the reasons behind it.
Participant Demographics
17 healthy subjects (10 male, 12 right-handed, mean age 34.8 years).
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.00025
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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