Positive intergroup contact modulates fusiform gyrus activity to black and white faces.

ABSTRACT: In this study, we investigated the effect of intergroup contact on processing of own- and other-race faces using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI). Previous studies have shown a neural own-race effect with greater BOLD response to own race compared to other race faces. In our study, white participants completed a social-categorization task and an individuation task while viewing the faces of both black and white strangers after having answered questions about their previous experiences with black people. We found that positive contact modulated BOLD activity in the right fusiform gyrus (rFG) and left inferior occipital gyrus (lIOC), regions associated with face processing. Within these regions, higher positive contact was associated with higher activity when processing black, co

SUBMITTER: Farmer H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7021708 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature