Distinct neural computations scale the violation of expected reward and emotion in social transgressions

Abstract

Abstract Traditional decision-making models conceptualize humans as adaptive learners utilizing the differences between expected and actual rewards (prediction errors, PEs) to maximize outcomes, but rarely consider the influence of violations of emotional expectations (emotional PEs) and how it differs from reward PEs. Here, we conducted a fMRI experiment (n = 43) using a modified Ultimatum Game to examine how reward and emotional PEs affect punishment decisions in terms of rejecting unfair offers. Our results revealed that reward relative to emotional PEs exerted a stronger prediction to punishment decisions. On the neural level, the left dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC) was strongly activated during reward receipt whereas the emotions engaged the bilateral anterior insula. Reward and emotional PEs were also encoded differently in brain-wide multivariate patterns, with a more sensitive neural signature observed within fronto-insular circuits for reward PE. We further identified a fronto-insular network encompassing the left anterior cingulate cortex, bilateral insula, left dmPFC and inferior frontal gyrus that encoded punishment decisions. In addition, a stronger fronto-insular pattern expression under reward PE predicted more punishment decisions. These findings underscore that reward and emotional violations interact to shape decisions in complex social interactions, while the underlying neurofunctional PEs computations are distinguishable.