The use of a neuroscientific approach to investigate behavioral and neurophysiological responsiveness after the gift exchange

Aims: Recently, social neurosciences have investigated the neurophysiological correlates underlying specific moments of social interactions, such as gift exchange that involves the experience of positive emotions, as gratitude. The present research aimed to investigate the possible effects of gratitude experienced during gift exchange on behavioral and neurophysiological responsiveness. Methods: Neural activity, autonomic responsiveness and behavioral performance of 16 friends, coupled in dyads, were recorded during the execution of a joint attentional task before or after a gift exchange, that occurred for 8 dyads at the task beginning and for the other in the task middle. For the recording of electroencephalographic (EEG), hemodynamic, through the use of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), and autonomic activity (heart rate, HR; skin conductance level, SCL), a hyperscanning paradigm was used. Intra and inter-brain analyses were conducted. Results: From the results, an increase of behavioral performance and autonomic responses (HR, SCL) emerged after gift exchange. EEG results showed an increase of delta and theta intra- and inter-brain connectivity after gift exchange, highlighting the presence of neural coupling mechanisms. fNIRS results revealed an increase of oxygenated hemoglobin (O2Hb) in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) after gift exchange, highlighting the role of this area in social and emotional processes. Furthermore, inter-brain analysis showed an increase in behavioral performance and greater autonomic synchronization of HR index. Conclusion: The present research shows how prosocial behavior experienced following gift exchange is able to increase mechanisms of shared cognition, adoption of joint strategies and cooperation inducing positive effects on individuals’ cognitive performance.