Ciupercă, Dorina (2025) Reading Minds: The Effects of tACS on Neural Synchronization in Communication. Master thesis, Psychology.
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Abstract
Human interaction is a ubiquitous process whose neural underpinnings are currently poorly understood. One explanation proposes that communication is facilitated by the synchronization of the neural activity in the interacting individuals, coined interpersonal neural synchronization (INS). INS in the alpha rhythm over the right temporo-parietal junction (rTPJ) has been reported to be associated with increased cooperation. However, it is currently unclear how the activity of one individual gets entrained to the external rhythm of another. We sought to explore the mechanism of INS by using both electroencephalography (EEG) and transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS). Forty-two participants were engaged in a two-person, two-session study, completing the Tacit Communication Game (TCG). In the TCG, participants were assigned two roles, Sender and Receiver, and needed to establish a non-verbal communication strategy to relay the location and orientation of a stimulus. Participants received either real or sham tACS at 10 Hz and 2 mA intensity over the rTPJ or had the EEG activity measured. We found that real stimulation in the alpha frequency significantly improved task performance compared to sham. However, no effects of alpha stimulation were observed on INS. The current study provides causal evidence of the role of alpha frequency in the rTPJ for cooperation. Although no conclusions can be drawn regarding the mechanisms of INS. These findings may be used to inform interventions for individuals with social deficits.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Wischnewski, M. and Lorist, M.M. |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | Cognitive Psychology and Psychophysiology (CPP) [Master Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 11 Nov 2025 07:15 |
| Last Modified: | 11 Nov 2025 07:15 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/5983 |
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