Intimate relationships regulate female brain activity in a competitive context: evidence from EEG and functional connectivity analysis.

Publisher: Oxford University Press Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 9110718 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1460-2199 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 10473211 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Cereb Cortex Subsets: MEDLINE

Original Publication: New York, NY : Oxford University Press, c1991-

Electroencephalography* ; Brain*/physiology ; Interpersonal Relations* ; Competitive Behavior*/physiology; Humans ; Female ; Young Adult ; Adult ; Reaction Time/physiology ; Evoked Potentials/physiology

Competition is common in life, and intimate relationships are essential. Understanding how intimate relationships impact an individual's competitive process is crucial. This study explored the impact of competitor gender on female competition using electroencephalography analysis. The results revealed that females exhibited a smaller median of the absolute value of reaction time difference (DRT) between their partners and their competitors when their partners were absent compared to when their partners were present. Additionally, females showed greater average amplitudes of N2 posterior contralateral component (N2pc) and Late Positive Potential (LPP), increased activation of the alpha frequency band, and enhanced theta frequency band functional connectivity between the central parietal lobe and occipital lobe. Furthermore, when competing with individuals of the same gender as opposed to individuals of the opposite gender, females exhibited greater average amplitudes of percentage of wins and N2pc. A significant negative correlation was noted between the DRT and the average wave amplitudes of N2pc and LPP. These findings suggest that females are more engaged in competitive tasks when partners are not present and have improved decision-making when competing with same-gender individuals. This study provides evidence for the influence of lovers on female competition, helping females adapt to social competition and promoting healthy relationships.
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2203198 Hebei Province Education Science Planning-General Funded Project; ZD-RW-202319 Key Research Project of North China University of Science and Technology in 2023; EBA210396 National Education Science Planning-Youth Project of The Ministry of Education

Keywords: EEG; brain functional connectivity; competition; intimate relationships

Date Created: 20240711 Date Completed: 20240711 Latest Revision: 20240821

20240821

10.1093/cercor/bhae276

38989873