Intergroup bias is a ubiquitous socio-cognitive phenomenon that, while sustaining human dependence on group living, often leads to prejudice, inequity, and violence; yet, its neural underpinnings remain unclear. Framed within the Israeli–Palestinian conflict and targeting youth, this study utilized magnetoencephalography to describe intrinsic neural oscillatory processes that represent the intergroup bias and may link with engagement in peacemaking in order to shed further light on the neural mechanisms underpinning intergroup conflict. Across the oscillatory spectrum, from very low to very high frequency bands, the only rhythm found to underlie the intergroup bias was the alpha rhythm. Alpha rhythm was continuously activated across the task and integrated a rapid perceptual component in the occipital cortex with a top-down cognitive-control component in the medial cingulate cortex. These components were distinctly associated with the real-life intergroup dialogue style and expressed attitudes that promote active engagement in peacemaking. Our findings suggest that the cortical alpha rhythm plays a crucial role in sustaining intergroup bias and addresses its impact on concrete intergroup experiences. The results highlight the need to provide opportunities for active peace-building dialogue to youth reared amidst intractable conflicts.

中文翻译：

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群体间偏见的神经节律基础：对建设和平态度和对话的影响

群体间偏见是一种普遍存在的社会认知现象，在维持人类对群体生活的依赖的同时，往往会导致偏见、不平等和暴力；然而，它的神经基础仍不清楚。本研究以巴以冲突为框架，以青年为目标，利用脑磁图来描述代表群体间偏见的内在神经振荡过程，并可能与参与建立和平有关，以进一步阐明支持群体间冲突的神经机制。在整个振荡频谱中，从非常低到非常高的频带，发现构成组间偏差的唯一节律是阿尔法节律。阿尔法节律在整个任务中不断被激活，并将枕叶皮层中的快速感知成分与内侧扣带皮层中自上而下的认知控制成分整合在一起。这些成分与现实生活中的群体间对话风格明显相关，并表达了促进积极参与建立和平的态度。我们的研究结果表明，皮质阿尔法节律在维持群体间偏见方面起着至关重要的作用，并解决了它对具体群体间经历的影响。结果强调了为在棘手冲突中长大的青年提供积极建设和平对话的机会的必要性。我们的研究结果表明，皮质阿尔法节律在维持群体间偏见方面起着至关重要的作用，并解决了它对具体群体间经历的影响。结果强调了为在棘手冲突中长大的青年提供积极建设和平对话的机会的必要性。我们的研究结果表明，皮质阿尔法节律在维持群体间偏见方面起着至关重要的作用，并解决了它对具体群体间经历的影响。结果强调了为在棘手冲突中长大的青年提供积极建设和平对话的机会的必要性。