Recently, different psychological studies have been interested in identifying the factors that regulate the development and maintenance of long-lasting interpersonal and social relationships. Specifically, the present research explored the link between gift exchange, gratitude and cognitive effects. The behavioral performance and neural activity of 32 participants were recorded during a cooperative game to be played before and after gift exchange. Specifically, participants had to perform the task coupled with a dear friend. Half of the couples were asked to exchange a gift before the task performance; the other half was asked to exchange a gift halfway through the task performance. For hemodynamic brain responses, functional near-infrared spectroscopy was used. Results showed that an increase in cognitive performance occurred after the exchange of gifts, with improved accuracy and lower response times in task performance. Regarding hemodynamic responses, an increase in oxygenated hemoglobin was detected, especially in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex following the gift exchange. Furthermore, it was observed that gift exchange before the beginning of the task increased the performance level. The present study provides a significant contribution to the identification of those factors that enable the increased cognitive performance based on cooperative relationships.

中文翻译：

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感恩和合作行为的礼物：大脑和认知作用。

最近，不同的心理学研究对确定调节长期人际和社会关系的发展和维持的因素感兴趣。具体而言，本研究探讨了礼物交换，感恩和认知效果之间的联系。在交换礼物之前和之后进行的合作游戏中记录了32名参与者的行为表现和神经活动。具体来说，参与者必须与亲爱的朋友一起执行任务。一半的夫妻被要求在任务执行前交换礼物。另一半被要求在任务执行中途交换礼物。对于脑血流动力学反应，使用了功能近红外光谱。结果表明，交换礼物后，认知能力得到提高，准确性得到提高，任务执行的响应时间缩短。关于血液动力学反应，检测到氧合血红蛋白增加，尤其是在礼物交换后的背外侧前额叶皮层中。此外，据观察，在任务开始之前交换礼物可以提高绩效水平。本研究为基于合作关系的认知能力的提高做出了重大贡献。此外，据观察，在任务开始之前交换礼物可以提高绩效水平。本研究为基于合作关系的认知能力的提高做出了重大贡献。此外，据观察，在任务开始之前交换礼物可以提高绩效水平。本研究为基于合作关系的认知能力的提高做出了重大贡献。