Electrophysiological Hyperscanning of Negotiation During Group-Oriented Decision-Making

Background: This study investigates the electrophysiological (EEG) correlates underlying negotiation dynamics in dyads engaged in a shared decision-making process. Methods: Using EEG hyperscanning, we examined single-brain and inter-brain neural activity in 26 participants (13 dyads) during a struct...

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Main Authors: Laura Angioletti, Katia Rovelli, Carlotta Acconito, Angelica Daffinà, Michela Balconi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Applied Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/11/6073
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author Laura Angioletti
Katia Rovelli
Carlotta Acconito
Angelica Daffinà
Michela Balconi
author_facet Laura Angioletti
Katia Rovelli
Carlotta Acconito
Angelica Daffinà
Michela Balconi
author_sort Laura Angioletti
collection DOAJ
description Background: This study investigates the electrophysiological (EEG) correlates underlying negotiation dynamics in dyads engaged in a shared decision-making process. Methods: Using EEG hyperscanning, we examined single-brain and inter-brain neural activity in 26 participants (13 dyads) during a structured negotiation task. The participants, selected for their group-oriented decision-making preference, discussed a realistic group decisional scenario while their EEG activity was recorded. EEG frequency bands (delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma) were analyzed and Euclidean Distances were computed for measuring dissimilarity at the inter-brain neural level. Results: At the single-brain level, the results show increased delta and theta power in frontal regions, reflecting emotional engagement and goal-directed control, alongside heightened beta and gamma activity in parieto-occipital areas, linked to cognitive integration and decision-monitoring during the negotiation process. At the inter-brain neural level, we observed significant dissimilarity in frontal delta activity compared to temporo-central and parieto-occipital one, suggesting that negotiation involves independent cognitive regulation within the members of the dyads rather than complete neural synchrony. Conclusions: These findings highlight the dual role of negotiation as both a cooperative and cognitively demanding process, requiring emotional alignment and strategic adaptation. This study advances our understanding of the neurophysiological bases of negotiation and provides insights into how inter-brain dynamics shape collaborative decision-making.
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spelling doaj-art-ecc79cc221c8468d850961e609b502d22025-08-20T02:33:01ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-05-011511607310.3390/app15116073Electrophysiological Hyperscanning of Negotiation During Group-Oriented Decision-MakingLaura Angioletti0Katia Rovelli1Carlotta Acconito2Angelica Daffinà3Michela Balconi4International Research Center for Cognitive Applied Neuroscience (IrcCAN), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Milan, ItalyInternational Research Center for Cognitive Applied Neuroscience (IrcCAN), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Milan, ItalyInternational Research Center for Cognitive Applied Neuroscience (IrcCAN), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Milan, ItalyInternational Research Center for Cognitive Applied Neuroscience (IrcCAN), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Milan, ItalyInternational Research Center for Cognitive Applied Neuroscience (IrcCAN), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Milan, ItalyBackground: This study investigates the electrophysiological (EEG) correlates underlying negotiation dynamics in dyads engaged in a shared decision-making process. Methods: Using EEG hyperscanning, we examined single-brain and inter-brain neural activity in 26 participants (13 dyads) during a structured negotiation task. The participants, selected for their group-oriented decision-making preference, discussed a realistic group decisional scenario while their EEG activity was recorded. EEG frequency bands (delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma) were analyzed and Euclidean Distances were computed for measuring dissimilarity at the inter-brain neural level. Results: At the single-brain level, the results show increased delta and theta power in frontal regions, reflecting emotional engagement and goal-directed control, alongside heightened beta and gamma activity in parieto-occipital areas, linked to cognitive integration and decision-monitoring during the negotiation process. At the inter-brain neural level, we observed significant dissimilarity in frontal delta activity compared to temporo-central and parieto-occipital one, suggesting that negotiation involves independent cognitive regulation within the members of the dyads rather than complete neural synchrony. Conclusions: These findings highlight the dual role of negotiation as both a cooperative and cognitively demanding process, requiring emotional alignment and strategic adaptation. This study advances our understanding of the neurophysiological bases of negotiation and provides insights into how inter-brain dynamics shape collaborative decision-making.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/11/6073decision-makinggroup orientationEEG hyperscanningsingle-braininter-brain
spellingShingle Laura Angioletti
Katia Rovelli
Carlotta Acconito
Angelica Daffinà
Michela Balconi
Electrophysiological Hyperscanning of Negotiation During Group-Oriented Decision-Making
Applied Sciences
decision-making
group orientation
EEG hyperscanning
single-brain
inter-brain
title Electrophysiological Hyperscanning of Negotiation During Group-Oriented Decision-Making
title_full Electrophysiological Hyperscanning of Negotiation During Group-Oriented Decision-Making
title_fullStr Electrophysiological Hyperscanning of Negotiation During Group-Oriented Decision-Making
title_full_unstemmed Electrophysiological Hyperscanning of Negotiation During Group-Oriented Decision-Making
title_short Electrophysiological Hyperscanning of Negotiation During Group-Oriented Decision-Making
title_sort electrophysiological hyperscanning of negotiation during group oriented decision making
topic decision-making
group orientation
EEG hyperscanning
single-brain
inter-brain
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/11/6073
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AT carlottaacconito electrophysiologicalhyperscanningofnegotiationduringgrouporienteddecisionmaking
AT angelicadaffina electrophysiologicalhyperscanningofnegotiationduringgrouporienteddecisionmaking
AT michelabalconi electrophysiologicalhyperscanningofnegotiationduringgrouporienteddecisionmaking