Affiliation:
1. V.I. Vernadsky Crimean Federal University
Abstract
We studied the reactivity features of the EEG mu rhythm amplitude in the individually determined frequency range, as well as the beta rhythm in the central, frontal and parietal EEG leads in children while performing tasks for instrumental, emotional and altruistic helping behavior. The study engaged 24 children aged 4 to 7 years. ANOVA showed a significant decrease of the mu rhythm amplitude in the central and parietal regions, which is supposed to be associated with the activation of the mirror system of the brain. When performing tasks for instrumental and altruistic helping behavior, there was an increase in the amplitude of the beta rhythm in the frontal, central, and parietal regions, which may be associated with children observing actions that are emotionally charged and cause empathy with a person in need of help. The more the beta rhythm increased, the sooner the children provided help, which can be explained by a greater degree of emotional involvement and activation of cognitive processes in children with high performance of prosocial behavior.
Publisher
The Russian Academy of Sciences