Neural correlates of fairness consideration in children in interaction with their In-/Out-group: An event-related potential study

Abstract

Introduction: The avoidance of inequality means that individuals like to ignore some of their capital not to receive less or more than their social partners. This variable is a key factor in establishing fairness. The present study aimed to investigate the neural correlates of inequality avoidance and the effect of group membership on this behavior among 6-year-old children Methods: The population of this research included healthy 6-year-old children from Tehran in 2018-2019. Hence, 15 children (4 girls and 11 boys) residing in Tehran were selected. In the ultimatum game, the children were presented by (un)fair offers from either in-group or out-group members. Also, in order to record brain waves’ data 32-channel EEG8 device were used. Results: The results showed that the children accepted significantly equal offers than advantageous and disadvantageous inequal offers (P=0.001) and offers presented by their in-group members than out-group members (P=0.041). Besides, the FRN wavelength in response to unfair offers was more than fair offers; this effect was observed in connection with the offers presented by their in-group members. Morover, the P-300 amplitude in exposure to equal and advantagous inequal offers was more when they were opposed from their in-group members. Conclusion: The results attained in this study are indicative of the fact that early emotional and cognitive late brain waves in response to perceived equality and inequality are identified by children.