Selfishness is like a weed that can take root in your TPJ. But… Neural gardening may fix an egotistical brain.
Several research groups, each working independently, have localized the personality trait of selfishness to an area of the brain between the temporal lobe (an area involved in auditory perception) and the parietal lobe (an area that integrates information from multiple brain regions). The area’s known as the temporoparietal junction (TPJ).
Two groups of researchers (at the University of Zurich, Switzerland and the Max Planck Institute in Leipzig, Germany) have thought a lot about selfishness. They reckon that many selfish people share two characteristics: an unwillingness to see things from another’s perspective and a flinty stinginess that bristles when it comes time for sharing.
In 2012 and 2016, Swiss scientists designed several experiments to quantify stinginess. They recruited dozens of volunteers to play video games (tough gig!). In the first game, the recruits were teamed up with an unseen anonymous partner. After the final bell, the test subjects determined how a monetary reward was allocated. In the second game, they viewed their partners onscreen as avatars (still anonymous). Once again, the test subjects were empowered to split up the loot. The scientists identified a small subgroup who had no qualms about lining their pockets while their partners went hungry.
German scientists meanwhile determined the level of egotism of another group of volunteers. The volunteers in this experiment also played video games. This time against an unseen adversary. The game was rigged so that the volunteers would emerge victorious. They were queried: “Do you believe your opponents are rejoicing at your good fortune or despairing in defeat?” The teutonic researchers identified a subgroup of egotists who were shocked that their vanquished opponents weren’t chomping at the bit to join them in feast and frolic.
OK. I got it. You identified a bunch of selfish jerks. What’s that got to do with the TPJ?
The Swiss and German scientists, working independently, gauged TPJ activity using functional magnetic resonance scans (fMRI). Based upon clinical experiments and imaging results, they documented a correlation between brain activity in the TPJ and selfishness.
You know what? My kid’s a selfish brat. Is there anything I can do about it?
Cut the kid some slack! The German scientists compared the fMRIs of kids (aged 6 to 13) with fMRIs of adults. They discovered significant differences in the TPJ between the children and adults, especially on the right side of the brain. After maturation, the neural (nerve cell) density of the region decreased. The scientists believed that the pruning (similar to trimming the branches of a bush) of synapses (connections between neurons) made the TPJ more effective and explained why adults (in general) were more effective at overcoming selfish impulses.
So little Johnny’s gonna grow out of it. Great! What about my mother-in-law?
That’s a tough nut to crack. Better call in the brain magnets. The European researchers used non-invasive magnetic brain stimulation techniques to disrupt activation in the volunteers’ TPJ. After temporary disruption of this brain region, the volunteers became even more selfish. There’s still some work left to do before we cure selfishness, but we’re on the right track. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been FDA approved for treatment of multiple neurological conditions (including depression, OCD, tobacco addiction). Pathological selfishness may be next!
If you’d like to learn more about TMS check out
I believe this to be a spiritual problem... we were created for a reason just the way we are.
There are things in this universe we just shouldn't mess with.
We should look for causes and solve those.