SHAME AND THE BLUSH:
AN fMRI STUDY INTO THE NEURAL BASIS OF SELF-CONSCIOUS EMOTIONS

The present study is a first inquiry into the neural basis of perceiving self
conscious emotions, such as shame. Furthermore, it especially tests the role of
blushing within these emotions.
Knowing the neural basis of perceiving shame might help in understanding the
function of these complex interpersonal emotions and their accompanying
displays. The function of the blush within the emotional display is not
entirely clear. The questions remains if signals that one is truly ashamed
(because it is impossible to control the blush intentionally), thereby making
the actor look more sincere/trustworthy. Expanding the knowledge of shame and
blushing might eventually help people who experience to much of it, such as
these socially phobic individuals.

Examining the neural basis of perceiving self-conscious emotions; in order to
obtain more knowledge about the function of these emotions.

The study consists of two tasks; both will be conducted in the fMRI scanner.

Task 1 is a *visual oddball* task. The respondent will see several scrambled
picture without meaning and several pictures containing models with an
emotional display (neutral, shame; with and without a blush). The respondent*s
task is to press a button whenever the oddball (a model called *Kim*) appears.
The neural response to perceiving the emotions will be scanned.

Task 2 consists of an Ultimatum Game. The subject will be offered a fair of
unfair deal regarding the division of money (5-5;6-4;7-3, etc.). The deal will
be offered by a blushing person or a neutral looking person (without a blush).
The neural response to unfair offers with a blush vs. no-blush will be examined.
Furthermore, the respondents will be asked to fill out several questionnaires.

Respondent will be scanned for one hour. No risks are expected.