A study published in PNAS reveals that prolonged mental fatigue can lead to brain activity similar to sleep in the frontal cortex, resulting in increased aggression and reduced cooperation. This supports the concept of 'ego depletion,' where self-control diminishes with use, affecting decision-making and social interactions. The research highlights the importance of rest in maintaining self-control and suggests that mental exhaustion can lead to decisions contrary to one's interests, with implications for economic and legal contexts.
A new study supports the controversial 'ego depletion' theory, suggesting that mental fatigue from making difficult decisions can lead to aggressive behavior by wearing down brain areas responsible for self-control. Researchers from the IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca found that participants who engaged in mentally exhausting tasks showed increased hostility and reduced cooperation, linked to sleep-like activity in brain regions related to decision-making. These findings, published in PNAS, highlight the impact of mental fatigue on behavior, though the theory remains debated.
A study by the IMT School of Advanced Studies Lucca reveals that prolonged mental fatigue can lead to increased aggression and uncooperative behavior due to "local sleep" patterns in the brain's frontal cortex, which is crucial for decision-making. EEG scans showed that fatigued individuals exhibited sleep-like brain activity, supporting the concept of "ego depletion." This suggests that mental exhaustion can negatively impact decision-making, affecting personal interactions and negotiations.
A study by the IMT School of Advanced Studies Lucca reveals that prolonged mental fatigue can lead to a loss of self-control by causing certain brain areas to exhibit sleep-like activity, particularly in the frontal cortex responsible for decision-making. This phenomenon, linked to the concept of 'ego depletion,' results in more aggressive and uncooperative behavior. The research highlights the importance of rest in decision-making processes, as mental exhaustion can lead to choices that are contrary to one's interests.
