Who can I rely on at work? EEG correlates and individual differences in the entrustment process

The act of asking another person to complete a task on one’s behalf involves the process of entrustment. This study investigated the relation between behavioral data – responses (ENTscore) and response time (ENTRTs) – electrophysiological (EEG) correlates and individual differences. EEG activity of 30 adults was continuously recorded during a real-life script scenario. Participants filled in 10-item Big Five Inventory (BFI) and Maximization Scale (MS). Results showed a positive correlation between beta, gamma, and delta in TP10 and theta in AF8 brain area with ENTscore. There was also a positive correlation between ENTRTs and both alpha and theta bands in AF7. Additionally, ENTscore positively correlated with BFI-Emotional Stability, while ENTRTs negatively correlated with MS-High Standards. Outcomes highlighted the role of rTPJ, beta and gamma in relation to the cognitive aspect of entrustment, whereas delta in rTPJ and theta and alpha in frontal areas could be related to the affective side of entrustment.