Left: Four different avatars were used (two female avatars: AF1, AF2; and two male avatars: AM1, AM2) along with two real human observers (HF1, HM1). For privacy considerations, pictures of real human observers (HF1, HM1 in the top-right human panel) were replaced with AI-generated images which were created by using the AI Human Images. Right: Amygdala response to feedback uncertainty explains differential risk-taking in avatar and human conditions. Upper panel: Whole-brain subtraction analysis comparing avatar and human observer conditions revealed lower amygdala activity in the avatar condition. Peak activity was identified in the central amygdala. Lower panel: To find brain regions associated with differential valuation of feedback uncertainty the authors weighted differential activity correlated with feedback uncertainty (avatar–human) by the differential behavioral coefficient for feedback uncertainty. A significant correlation was observed in the central amygdala, with an FWE-corrected p-value of 0.039 at the peak.
How does our brain process interactions with an #avatar compared to another human being? This study shows that feedback from an avatar increases #RiskTaking behavior in humans and is associated with lower activity in the #amygdala & ventral #striatum @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/3S3Esmw