Two-person multimodal imaging using functional near infrared spectroscopy reveals neural mechanisms for emotional contagion

Abstract

Although humans are profoundly social, we know very little about the underlying neural systems that are associated with live interactive social behaviors because most imaging studies acquire data from only one participant at a time. Functional near infrared spectroscopy, fNIRS, is employed to simultaneously image two individuals during live face-to-face interactions. We test the hypothesis that emotional contagion via facial expressions is related to neural mechanisms also engaged in automatic dyadic facial mimicry. Behavioral findings including facial classifications and emotional ratings are consistent with the hypothesis. Further the neural results suggest that known social systems of the human brain located in the right temporal parietal junction include a complex of sub components and mechanisms for encoding facial mimicry and associated emotional meaning. A model of embodied emotion is supported.