Neuroscience and race: Difference between revisions

{{Race}}

[[Neurotechnology]] enables studying the brain and racial interactions, though this study can be difficult because these interactions can be hard to replicate. Face recognition tests are the most commonly used method in studying racial interactions.<ref name="HerzmannWillenbockel2011">{{cite journal |last1=Herzmann |first1=Grit |last2=Willenbockel |first2=Verena |last3=Tanaka |first3=James W. |last4=Curran |first4=Tim |title=The neural correlates of memory encoding and recognition for own-race and other-race faces |journal=Neuropsychologia |date=September 2011 |volume=49 |issue=11|year=2011 |pages=3103–3115|issn=0028-3932 |doi=10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2011.07.019 |pmid=21807008 |s2cid=676546 }}</ref><ref name="KubotaBanaji2012">{{cite journal |last1=Kubota |first1=Jennifer T |last2=Banaji |first2=Mahzarin R |last3=Phelps |first3=Elizabeth A |title=The neuroscience of race |journal=Nature Neuroscience |date=July 2012 |volume=15 |issue=7|year=2012 |pages=940–948|issn=1097-6256 |doi=10.1038/nn.3136 |pmid=22735516 |pmc=3864590 }}</ref><ref name="QuadfliegMacrae2011">{{cite journal |last1=Quadflieg |first1=Susanne |last2=Macrae |first2=C. Neil |title=Stereotypes and stereotyping: What's the brain got to do with it? |journal=European Review of Social Psychology |date=March 2011 |volume=22 |issue=1|year=2011 |pages=215–273|issn=1046-3283 |doi=10.1080/10463283.2011.627998 |s2cid=144835685 }}</ref> These tests consist of observing own-race and other-race faces, and studying the brain's response to the faces. There are three major neurological techniques used to measure the brain's response to these simulated racial interactions. [[Functional magnetic resonance imaging]] (fMRI) measures the brain activity through measuring the blood oxygen level in the brain. This test gives insight into which regions of the brain are active during a certain event. [[Event-related potentials]] (ERPs) measure the brain's activity through measuring electrical impulses by electrodes on the head. This test gives insight in rapid changes in the brain. [[Transcranial magnetic stimulation]] (TMS) measures the response of a region of the brain once activated through magnetism. This test gives insight into the causality of occurrences and gives specific insight in what the brain regions are doing.<ref name="QuadfliegMacrae2011"/> Brain-damaged patients have also been used to study racial interactions, by studying how racial interactions are affected when specific brain regions are damaged. These studies give insight into how different brain regions are involved in racial interactions once certain regions have been damaged.<ref name="PhelpsO'Connor2000">{{cite journal |last1=Phelps |first1=Elizabeth A. |last2=O'Connor |first2=Kevin J. |last3=Cunningham |first3=William A. |last4=Funayama |first4=E. Sumie |last5=Gatenby |first5=J. Christopher |last6=Gore |first6=John C. |last7=Banaji |first7=Mahzarin R. |title=Performance on Indirect Measures of Race Evaluation Predicts Amygdala Activation |journal=Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience |date=1 September 2000 |volume=12 |issue=5|year=2000 |pages=729–738|issn=0898-929X |doi=10.1162/089892900562552 |pmid=11054916 |s2cid=4843980 |url=http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:3512208|pmid=11054916 }}</ref>

Many studies researching racial interactions analyze the [[cross-race effect]]. This is a bias or tendency for people to be more familiar with a face of the same race compared to members of another race. This is characterized withby people performing poorly on face recognition tests with other-race faces. This phenomenon is rooted in differences in face recognition and memory processing of same-race and other race faces.

The first step the brain does to encode a memory is to process the face. The lateral [[fusiform gyrus]] is a facial recognition area of the brain.<ref name="Ito">{{cite journal |last1=Ito, T.|first1=Tiffany A. & |last2=Bartholow, B.|first2=Bruce D. |title=The neural correlates of race. |journal=Trends Cogn.in Neurosci.Cognitive Sciences |date=December 2009 |volume=13, |issue=12 |pages=524–531 (|doi=10.1016/j.tics.2009).10.002 |pmid=19896410 |pmc=2796452 }}</ref> Within this brain region, the [[fusiform face area]] (FFA) analyzes the configuration and holistic appearance of the face.<ref name="QuadfliegMacrae2011"/> The FFA is more activated when viewing same-race faces compared to other-race faces. As time progresses from when the face is first viewed, the differences in FFA activation diminish. It’s believed that the FFA is more activated when viewing a same-race face because the brain individuates (using more analytic power) the same-race faces while simply categorizing other-race faces. The FFA isn’t the only region involved in facial recognition that effects the cross-race effect, but also the whole [[Temporal lobe|ventral temporal cortex]] (VT cortex). Scientists are able to distinguish which race face one is viewing at simply by viewing the VT cortex.<ref name="Natu">{{cite journal | last1 = Natu | first1 = V. | last2 = Raboy | first2 = D. | last3 = O'Toole | first3 = A. J. | year = 2011 | title = Neural correlates of own- and other-race face perception: Spatial and temporal response differences | url = | journal = NeuroImage | volume = 54 | issue = 3| pages = 2547–2555 | doi = 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2010.10.006 | pmid = 20937393 | s2cid = 9102172 }}</ref> Additionally, the fusiform cortex plays a vital role in categorizing race faces. This section is also more activated when viewing same-race faces, as it is studying the face in greater detail.<ref name="QuadfliegMacrae2011"/> However, these differences in activation of the fusiform complex diminish when a familiar other-race face is shown, like a celebrity.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Kim | first1 = J. S. | last2 = Yoon | first2 = H. W. | last3 = Kim | first3 = B. S. | last4 = Jeun | first4 = S. S. | last5 = Jung | first5 = S. L. | last6 = Choe | first6 = B. Y. | year = 2006 | title = Racial distinction of the unknown facial identity recognition mechanism by event-related fMRI | url = | journal = Neuroscience Letters | volume = 397 | issue = 3| pages = 279–284 | doi=10.1016/j.neulet.2005.12.061| pmid = 16446032 | s2cid = 31932687 }}</ref>

[[Top-down and bottom-up design|Top-down and bottom-up processing]] are terms used to describe the differences in memory processing when observing same-race and other-race faces. Bottom-up processing puts together pieces of a whole and develops one grand picture. Top-down processing uses more initial cognitive work by breaking down the whole picture into pieces, and then analyzing those pieces. Bottom-up processing is used in processing same-race faces, and requires much less brain activation than top-down processing, which is used while processing other-race faces. When bottom-up brain processing is used while viewing same-race faces, a holistic face in perceived, encoded and remembered. When top-down brain processing is used while viewing other-race faces, only features of the face are perceived and encoded.<ref>Tanak,{{cite J.journal W.,|last1=Tanaka Kiefe,|first1=James M.,W &|last2=Kiefer Bukac,|first2=Markus C.|last3=Bukach |first3=Cindy M. (2003). |title=A holistic account of the own-race effect in face recognition: evidence from a cross-cultural stud.study Elsevier|journal=Cognition |date=August 2004 |volume=93 |issue=1 |pages=B1–B9 |doi=10.1016/j.cognition.2003.09.011 |pmid=15110726 |s2cid=15696105 }}</ref> Once the face is perceived by the VT cortex, the [[hippocampus]] is used to encode the memory in the [[parietal lobe]]. Overall, same-race faces undergo better memory encoding processes than other-race faces because they are remembered more often, however, other-race faces that are remembered undergo a more effortful memory encoding process. More brain activation is needed to effectively encode an other-race face. Memory encoding isn't the only found cause of the cross-race effect; memory retrieval is also involved. In retrieving a memory, the parietal lobe is reactivated. When retrieving an other-race face, there is more reactivation of the parietal lobe, meaning more effort is needed to retrieve an other-race face memory. The [[frontal lobe]] is also activated while observing other-race faces if the parietal lobe is unable to retrieve the memory, acting as a search engine in the brain looking for the location of the memory.<ref name="HerzmannWillenbockel2011"/>

There are two main theories that attempt to explain the origin of the cross-race effect: the perceptual expertise hypothesis and the social cognitive hypothesis. The perceptual expertise hypothesis states that the cross-race effect is due to lack of exposure to other cultures and is not hard-wired. Strong evidence for this hypothesis is a decreasing cross-race effect in immigrants that have assimilated to a culture for a few years.<ref name="HerzmannWillenbockel2011"/> Another finding in support of this hypothesis is the reversibility of the cross-race effect in ethnic adopted children.<ref name="Sangrigoli">{{cite journal | last1 = Sangrigoli | first1 = S. | last2 = Pallier | first2 = C. | last3 = Argenti | first3 = A. -M. | last4 = Ventureyra | first4 = V. A. G. | last5 = de Schonen | first5 = S. | year = 2005 | title = Reversibility of the otherOther-raceRace effectEffect in faceFace recognitionRecognition duringDuring childhoodChildhood | journal = Psychological Science |date=1 volumeJune =2005 |volume=16 | issue = 6 | pages = 440–4440–444 | doi = 10.1111/j.0956-7976.2005.01554.x | pmid = 15943669 | doi-broken-date = 2020-03-24 |url = https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.0956-7976.2005.01554.x |pmid=15943669 |s2cid=5572690 }}</ref> The social cognitive hypothesis states that the cross-race effect is a result of a participants' internal beliefs and prejudices acting on the face processing and memory functions of the brain. Evidence for this hypothesis is a higher activation of the [[amygdala]] and other areas of the brain involved with attitudes and evaluations when first viewing an other-race face.<ref name="Cunningham">{{cite journal | last1 = Cunningham | first1 = W.A. | last2 = Zelazo | first2 = P.D. | year = 2007 | title = Attitudes and evaluations: a social cognitive neuroscience perspective | url = | journal = Trends Cogn. Sci. | volume = 11 | issue = 3| pages = 97–104 | doi=10.1016/j.tics.2006.12.005| pmid = 17276131 | s2cid = 1504528 }}</ref> The categorization-individualization model, which is a newer theory, states that the cross-race effect is due to the merging of social categorization, motivated individuation, and perceptual experience. There’s very convincing evidence that all of these factors play a role in the cross-race effect.<ref name="HugenbergYoung2010">{{cite journal |last1=Hugenberg |first1=Kurt |last2=Young |first2=Steven G. |last3=Bernstein |first3=Michael J. |last4=Sacco |first4=Donald F. |title=The categorization-individuation model: An integrative account of the other-race recognition deficit. |journal=Psychological Review |date=2010 |volume=117 |issue=4|year=2010 |pages=1168–1187|issn=1939-1471 |doi=10.1037/a0020463 |pmid=20822290 }}</ref>

The [[amygdala]], which is the most researched brain region in racism studies, shows much greater activation while viewing other-race faces than same-race faces.<ref name="Ito"/><ref name="KubotaBanaji2012"/><ref name="Phelps1">{{cite journal | last1 = Phelps | first1 = E.Elizabeth A. | last2 = O'Connor | first2 = K.Kevin J. | last3 = Cunningham | first3 = W.William A. | last4 = Funayama | first4 = E. S.Sumie | last5 = Gatenby | first5 = J. C.Christopher | last6 = Gore | first6 = J.John C. | last7 = Banaji | first7 = M.Mahzarin R. | year = 2000 | title = Performance on indirectIndirect measuresMeasures of raceRace evaluationEvaluation predictsPredicts amygdalaAmygdala activationActivation | url = https://dash.harvard.edu/bitstream/handle/1/3512208/Banaji_PerformanceIndirect.pdf?sequence=2| journal = Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience |date=1 September 2000 |volume = 12 | issue =5 5| pages = 729–738 | doi = 10.1162/089892900562552 | pmid=11054916 |s2cid=4843980 11054916|url=http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:3512208 }}</ref> This region of the brain is associated with fear conditioning, and has many connections with the cortex to control the body’s emotional response.<ref name="KubotaBanaji2012"/> Often, there is variation in amygdala activation due to motivation and goals. The amygdala’s activation can be changed through not focusing on race or focusing on removing the racial bias.<ref name="Ito"/> Scientists believe that amygdala activation differences arise due to social/cultural perceptions and individual experiences.<ref name="Phelps1"/> However, it is important to note that patients with a damaged amygdala still show a racial bias, meaning that the amygdala isn’t the only region involved in activating a racial bias.<ref name="PhelpsO'Connor2000"/> The link between the amygdala and racial prejudice has been comprehensively reviewed.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Chekroud | first1 = AM | last2 = Everett | first2 = JAC | last3 = Bridge | first3 = H | last4 = Hewstone | first4 = M | year = 2014 | title = A review of neuroimaging studies of race-related prejudice: does amygdala response reflect threat? | url = | journal = Front. Hum. Neurosci. | volume = 8 | issue = | page = 179 | doi = 10.3389/fnhum.2014.00179 | pmid = 24734016 | pmc = 3973920 | doi-access = free }}</ref>

Though there is an innate initial negative response while viewing other-race faces, the brain regions that control this response are malleable. The ACC and DLPFC both regulate the amygdala’s initial negative response. Many studies show that the initial racial bias can be changed through different situational contexts and motivations.<ref name="KubotaBanaji2012"/> Differences in amygdala activation have diminished when other-race faces of famous or respected people are viewed, showing that amygdala activation can be controlled through personal beliefs.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Richeson | first1 = J.A. |display-authors=etal | year = 2003 | title = An fMRI investigation of the impact of interracial contact on executive function | url = | journal = Nat. Neurosci. | volume = 6 | issue = 12| pages = 1323–1328 | doi=10.1038/nn1156 | pmid=14625557| s2cid = 7979295 }}</ref> Also, increased exposure to other races and cultural ideals help suppress the racial bias within the brain circuitry. For instance, one study showed that Asian immigrants who lived in America for an extended time showed an absence of the cross-race effect to other American faces, implying that exposure to other races decreases the effects of the cross-race effect.<ref name="HerzmannWillenbockel2011"/> Current studies in positive psychology have shown that denial of racial differences leads only to further racial stereotyping. Therefore, the best way to control racism is to acknowledge racial differences, and to accept racial equality.<ref name="Marsh">Marsh,{{cite J., Mendoza-Denton, R., &book |last1=Smith, J.|first1=Jeremy A. (2010).|last2=Marsh |first2=Jason |last3=Mendoza-Denton |first3=Rodolfo |title=Are weWe bornBorn racistRacist?: New insightsInsights from neuroscienceNeuroscience and positivePositive psychology.Psychology Boston:|date=2010 |publisher=Beacon Press. |isbn=978-0-8070-1158-4 }}{{pn|date=August 2021}}</ref> [[Emotional self-regulation|Emotional regulation]] techniques are needed to overcome some racist beliefs, which involves emotionally reinterpreting events.<ref name="KubotaBanaji2012"/> [[Nootropic|Behavior enhancer drugs]] could possibly be used in the future to modify people's racist response, but there are ethical arguments against this.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Schermer | first1 = M. | last2 = Bolt | first2 = I. | last3 = de Jong | first3 = R. | last4 = Olivier | first4 = B. | year = 2009 | title = The future of psychopharmacological enhancements: Expectations and policies | url = | journal = Neuroethics | volume = 2 | issue = 2| pages = 75–87 | doi=10.1007/s12152-009-9032-1| s2cid = 54908329 | doi-access = free | hdl = 1765/15741 | hdl-access = free }}</ref>

There has been limited research on actual neurological differences among ethnic groups. This is believed to be due to low participation in experiments by minority groups{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}}. However, some research has shown some biological differences in brain anatomy among ethnic groups. The causes are discussed in the context of sampling difficulties, racism, socioeconomic status, and differences in health outcomes.<ref name="Isamah">{{cite journal | last1 = Isamah | first1 = N. | last2 = Faison | first2 = W. | last3 = Payne | first3 = M. E. | last4 = MacFall | first4 = J. | last5 = Steffens | first5 = D. C. | last6 = Beyer | first6 = J. L. | last7 = Taylor | first7 = W. D. | year = 2010 | title = Variability in Frontotemporal Brain Structure: The Importance of Recruitment of African Americans in Neuroscience Research | url = | journal = PLOS OneONE | volume = 5 | issue = 10| page = 10 | doi = 10.1371/journal.pone.0013642 | pmid = 21049028 | pmc = 2964318 | bibcode = 2010PLoSO...513642I | doi-access = free }}</ref><ref name="Chee2011">{{cite journal | last1 = Chee | first1 = M. W. L. | last2 = Zheng | first2 = H. | last3 = Goh | first3 = J. O. S. | last4 = Park | first4 = D. | last5 = Sutton | first5 = B. P. | year = 2011 | title = Brain structure in young and old East Asians and Westerners: comparisons of structural volume and cortical thickness | journal = Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience | volume = 23 | issue = 5| pages = 1065–1079 | doi=10.1162/jocn.2010.21513 | pmid=20433238 | pmc=3361742}}</ref> There have been observed morphological differences between CaucasianEuropean American and Chinese individuals in the frontal, parietal, and temporal brain regions.<ref name="Chee2011"/><ref name="Tang2010">{{cite journal | last1 = Tang | first1 = Y. C. | last2 = Hojatkashani | first2 = C. | last3 = Dinov | first3 = I. D. | last4 = Sun | first4 = B. | last5 = Fan | first5 = L. Z. | last6 = Lin | first6 = X. T. | last7 = Toga | first7 = A. W. | year = 2010 | title = The construction of a Chinese MRI brain atlas: A morphometric comparison study between Chinese and CaucasianEuropean American cohorts | url = | journal = NeuroImage | volume = 51 | issue = 1| pages = 33–41 | doi = 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2010.01.111 | pmid = 20152910 | pmc = 2862912 }}</ref> RecentThese researchdifferences hasare shownthought thatto Africanbe due to the effects of language differences on brain development.<ref name="Tang2010"/><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Kochunov |first1=P. |last2=Fox |first2=P. |last3=Lancaster |first3=J. |last4=Tan |first4=L. H. |last5=Amunts |first5=K. |last6=Zilles |first6=K. |last7=Mazziotta |first7=J. |last8=Gao |first8=J. H. |title=Localized morphological brain differences between English-Americansspeaking exhibitEuropean smallerAmerican totaland cerebralChinese-speaking Asians: new evidence of anatomical plasticity |journal=NeuroReport |date=23 May 2003 |volume=14 than|issue=7 Caucasians|pages=961–964 |doi=10.1097/01.wnr.0000075417.59944.00 While|pmid=12802183 total|s2cid=15336797 cerebral}}</ref> volumeA of2010 study on variability in frontotemporal brain structure between African Americans wereand European Americans found todifferences bein lowerbrain structure, itdespite wasthe observedparticipants thatall Africanbeing Americanfrom participantsan hadEnglish aspeaking proportionallynation. largerHowever, [[orbitofrontalthese cortex]]differences were small in nature, and most failed to survive a [[amygdalaBonferroni correction]]. thanThe Caucasiansresults can only be considered preliminary, butas theit limitedonly numberhad and25 ageAfrican ofAmerican participants, asand welldid asnot potentialaccount [[participationfor bias]],any limitconfounds thelike legitimacyhealth of theseor initialsocioeconomic findingsstatus.<ref name="Isamah"/> The biological significance of these findings is unclear.

[[Category:NeuroscienceCultural neuroscience]]