Highlights
- •Increasing cognitive control may overcome negative bias toward members of social out-groups.
- •The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) may contribute to self-regulatory and cognitive-control processes implemented to override social stereotypes.
- •Anodal excitability-enhancing tDCS of the mPFC decreased implicit biased attitudes toward out-group members.
Abstract
Background
Social categorization and group identification are essential ingredients for maintaining
a positive self-image that often lead to negative, implicit stereotypes toward members
of an out-group. The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) may be a critical component in
counteracting stereotypes activation.
Objective
Here, we assessed the causal role of the mPFC in these processes by non-invasive brain
stimulation via transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS).
Method
Participants (n = 60) were randomly and equally assigned to receive anodal, cathodal, or sham stimulation
over the mPFC while performing an Implicit Association Test (IAT): They were instructed
to categorize in-group and out-group names and positive and negative attributes.
Results
Anodal excitability-enhancing stimulation decreased implicit biased attitudes toward
out-group members compared to excitability-diminishing cathodal and sham stimulation.
Conclusions
These results provide evidence for a critical role of the mPFC in counteracting stereotypes
activation. Furthermore, our results are consistent with previous findings showing
that increasing cognitive control may overcome negative bias toward members of social
out-groups.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: April 24, 2015
Accepted:
April 17,
2015
Received in revised form:
April 13,
2015
Received:
November 24,
2014
Identification
Copyright
© 2015 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
