Functional connectivity pattern underlies individual differences in independent self-construal

Independent vs interdependent self-construal is a concept that reflects how people perceive the relationship between self and other people, which has been extensively examined across disciplines. However, little evidence on the whole-brain functional connectivity (FC) pattern of independent vs interdependent self-construal has been reported. Here, in a sample of 51 healthy participants, we used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging and voxel-based FC analysis (i.e. FC strength and seed-based FC) by measuring the temporal correlation of blood oxygen level-dependent signals between spatially separate brain regions to investigate the neural mechanism of independent vs interdependent self-construal. First, we found that FC strength of bilateral posterior cingulate cortex and precuneus, and left inferior frontal gyrus were positively correlated with the independent vs interdependent score. Seed-based FC analysis with these three regions as seeds revealed that, FC within default mode network and executive control network was positively correlated with the independent vs interdependent score. Negative correlation with independent vs interdependent score was shown in the connections between default mode network and executive control regions. Taking together, our results provide a comprehensive FC architecture of the independent vs interdependent self-construal and advance the understanding of the interplay between culture, mind and brain.