In social interactions, the values we associate with observed actions can influence how we process others’ behaviors and the decisions we make. Some studies have suggested that different social contexts, and particularly the reward value of perceived actions can modulate motor system activity when observing others’ actions. However, sensitivity to reward magnitude has never been tested in the action observation system. Here we used electroencephalography (EEG) to investigate the independent effects of reward valence and magnitude on the mu rhythm, an index of the motor mirror system, while participants (N=23) passively observed actions that led to high or low rewards or losses. Behavioral measures of social approach/avoidance, theory of mind and empathy were also taken. Results showed that reward valence significantly modulated mu rhythm, where losses led to greater mu suppression, but reward magnitude had no effect. The findings also demonstrated a novel association between the specific reward-related modulation of the mu rhythm and social cognitive skills, particularly cognitive empathy and emotional reactivity. This study provides further evidence for the role of reward processing in the mirror motor system, and highlights the relationship between value-based action perception and social cognitive traits, implicating a role for the mirror system in social decision-making.

Flow state emerges when a person engages in autotelic activities, which are both enjoyable and challenging. While studies generally focused on qualitative data of flow state, a few were conducted on psychophysiological basis of it. Present study aimed to investigate EEG correlates of flow. Twenty participants preliminarily filled out Flow Short Scale Turkish Version and completed a ping-pong game at two levels (slow-boring and fast-flow) during EEG recording. The results revealed that theta power was significantly greater for all regions during flow condition compared to non-flow condition and delta power was significantly greater during flow on central and parietal regions. There is no difference between flow/non-flow conditions for coherence. A positive correlation was found between delta and theta powers and subscales scores of Flow Short Scale. The increases in these theta and delta frequency bands could be important indicators of flow state. The coherence results revealed that interhemispheric synchronization was not modified by flow. If confirmed with multiple tasks and in clinical groups, EEG correlates of flow state could be useful increase performance and well-being.

Sufi meditation is a spiritual form of physically active meditation in which performers (Semazens) whirl without losing conscious awareness and while internally focusing on reaching an ecstatic state, thus requiring substantial motor and cognitive control and monitoring. Studies have argued that the experience of the meditator may affect the strength of the brain activations because more experienced meditators may need less cognitive effort to reach the ecstatic state. Despite this, our knowledge about the associations between emotional states of the meditators and activated brain areas during meditation remains unknown. With this in mind, fourteen male Semazens were recruited for this study. All Semazens performed Sema meditation under the scanner using imagined whirling techniques. An active control condition was used to explore brain areas specific to Sema meditation. Measures of affective states and psychiatric symptoms were also collected. Statistical parametric maps were created to compare the meditation vs. control conditions. Accordingly, Sema meditation specifically evoked activations in left anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and left orbitofrontal areas. Activations in ACC were negatively correlated with the positive affect of the Semazens suggesting that less cognitive effort required to reach the meditative state in Semazens was associated with more positive affect. Despite previous studies highlighting the experience of the meditators as a predictor of brain activation, we found that affective state may also be an important factor that may facilitate emotion regulation and cognitive monitoring in the brain. Our findings may also be applicable to the effects of meditation on psychological and emotional wellbeing.