When a team of researchers at Duke University began using fMRIs to study the brain's connection to altruism, they expected to find that selfless acts were linked to reward systems in the brain--but were treated to some surprising findings.
They discovered that the posterior superior temporal cortex (pSTC), a brain region associated perceiving the actions and motivations of other people, was instead highly active in individuals performing altruistic acts. Researchers say these findings suggest that unselfish acts are based in the understanding that others have feelings and motivations similar to one's own.
"It's not exactly empathy," [lead researcher Scott Huettel] said, but something more primitive. "We think that altruism may have grown out of -- at least in part -- such a system."Further studies may show whether differences in this part of the brain affect sociopaths or autistic people, researchers say.
Read more: Why Do Good? Brain Study Offers Clues
ABSTRACT: Altruism is associated with an increased neural response to agency
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