Functions of the right DLPFC and right TPJ in proposers and responders in the ultimatum game

Recent studies explored a network of brain regions involved in economic decision making. The present study focuses on two of those regions, each relevant for specific and distinct functions in economic decision making: the right temporoparietal junction (rTPJ) and the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (rDLPFC). In two experiments using transcranial direct current stimulation, we explored two proposed functions of these areas in bargaining situations using the ultimatum game (UG): understanding the others perspective and integration of fairness norms. Participants first took the role of the proposer and then the role of the responder. We showed that stimulation of the rTPJ only affected the proposer condition. Interestingly, inhibition of the rTPJ led to fairer offers, which strengthens the view that the role of the rTPJ in bargaining situations is to differentiate one’s own from the other’s perspective. Furthermore, we argue that the rDLPFC is most likely involved in suppressing self-interest when a person is confronted with a direct reward but does not play a role in long-term reward anticipation or integrating social fairness norms. We conclude that self-interest inhibition is shown only in responders, and that perspective taking seems to be a necessary specifically for proposers in the UG.