Interdependent Self-Construal Predicts Reduced Sensitivity to Norms Under Pathogen Threat: An Electrocortical Investigation

Prior evidence suggests that external threat motivates people to monitor norm violations.However, the effect of threat may be attenuated for those high in interdependent self-construal(SC) since this SC affords a sense of protection against the threat. Here, we tested thispossibility by priming or not priming young American adults with a pathogen threat. We then hadparticipants read norm-violating or normal behaviors while assessing two electrocorticalmarkers: N400 (indexing the detection of norm violations) and suppression of upper α-bandpower (indexing vigilance to the violations). In the threat priming condition, interdependent SCpredicted decreased responsiveness to norm violations. In the control priming condition,however, interdependent SC predicted increased responsiveness. Our work suggests thatinterdependent SC may provide a sense of security under threat.