Trait Reward Sensitivity Modulates Connectivity with the Temporoparietal Junction and Anterior Insula during Strategic Decision Making.

Social situations, such as negotiations require strategically balancing self-interest with the welfare of others. Sensitivity to rewards may influence whether people behave selfishly or not. We observed brain connectivity between the inferior frontal gyrus and temporoparietal junction was associated with strategic behavior in social situations, where there was versus was not a threat of rejection. We also showed that brain connectivity was modulated more among people who had very high or low reward sensitivity. Results suggested that reward sensitivity is an additional component of the social decision-making process beyond simple valuation. Taken together, our results demonstrate how trait reward sensitivity modulates neural responses to strategic decisions, potentially underscoring the importance of examining this factor within social and decision neuroscience.