社会性と左右差

Left and Right Hemispheric Contribution to Social Cognition

ヒトの社会性を支える，情動や心の理論に関する神経基盤について左右半球の機能を比較した。心の理論については，共感，メンタライジング，視点取得などの要素に分けて検討がなされてきた。内側前頭前野，上側頭溝領域，側頭頭頂接合部など心の理論に関する領域では，全体として右半球の優位性を示す知見が多くみられるものの，メンタライジングや視点取得に関しては，両半球が異なる役割を持っていることが示されている。

Abstract

Can we find hemispheric differences in the neural systems of social cognition? Social cognition is supported by a number of cognitive systems. Emotion plays an important role in understanding others and in controlling self-action. Theory of mind, the ability to infer the mental state of others, consists of subsystems such as empathy, mentalization, and perspective taking. Key brain structures for these cognitive processes are the medial prefrontal cortex, regions around the superior temporal sulcus, and the temporo-parietal junction. Most studies show right hemisphere dominance in emotional and social processes. With regard to the theory of mind, empathy is dominantly supported by the right hemisphere. However, some findings suggest the involvement of both hemispheres in mentalization and perspective talking. Social cognition is a complex process and should be considered as the consequence of inter-hemispheric processing involving several structures, although it is mainly right-hemisphere dominant.