Zurich researchers identify cognitive processes that set leaders apart
People in leadership roles are less averse to making decisions for an entire group, even when the consequences of those decisions are uncertain, University of Zurich (UZH) researchers have found.
This content was published on
2 minutes
UZH/ug/cl
Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), UZH neuroeconomics and neuroscience researchers studied neurobiological processes in the brains of volunteers as they took part in group experiments. The study participants were put into small groups to play a series of games where they had to make choices about a risky action to get a reward.
According to a UZH press releaseExternal link published on Friday, the researchers were able to identify the brain activity that influenced whether someone was more likely to take on a leadership role, or to delegate decision-making.
“In this work, we wanted to understand what is the internal decision-making process that drives someone to choose to lead or to follow,” explains Micah Edelson, the main author of the study published in the journal ScienceExternal link, in a UZH press videoExternal link.
The results appear to go against the common understanding that leadership qualities are based on characteristics including charisma and a preference for being in control. Rather, the researchers found that responsibility aversion, or the unwillingness to make a decision that affects others, was driven by a greater need for certainty about the best course of action when the decision would impact other people.
“Leaders are less likely to change their required level of certainty for making choices that affect others,” Edelson summarises.
He adds that this framework can account for many different leadership types, from authoritarian leaders who tend to make decisions on their own, to egalitarian leaders who prefer to seek a group consensus.
The work by UZH researchers has been described as fascinating, but critics point outExternal link that the study doesn’t say anything about the quality of leadership.
UBS fined CHF50,000 for suspected money-laundering negligence
This content was published on
Switzerland’s finance ministry has fined UBS bank CHF50,000 after employees allegedly failed to report red flags of money laundering over several years.
Switzerland received more than 400 extradition requests last year
This content was published on
Switzerland received 430 requests for the extradition of criminals last year, an increase of over a quarter compared to 2022.
Shell companies: Swiss want to make snail farming easier
This content was published on
The Swiss parliament is calling on the government to amend legislation so that small-scale snail breeding facilities on farms can be authorised.
Swiss cheesemaker convicted of involuntary manslaughter
This content was published on
A cheesemaker in Steinerberg has been charged with involuntary manslaughter after seven people died after eating listeria-contaminated cheese.
Swiss car camera uses AI to detect pedestrians 100 times faster
This content was published on
A new type of car camera has been developed that will recognise obstacles 100 times faster than previous driver-assistance systems.
Switzerland ‘extremely concerned’ about spiralling violence in Middle East
This content was published on
Switzerland has strongly condemned Hamas’ recent rocket fire on Israel and Israel’s attacks on a camp for displaced people in Rafah.
Switzerland may triple tuition fees for foreign university students
This content was published on
Foreign students at ETH Zurich and EPFL may soon have to pay at least three times as much as Swiss students in tuition fees.
Female climate activists could report Switzerland to Council of Europe
This content was published on
The KlimaSeniorinnen association (the Climate Senior Women) is urging the Swiss government to respect the European court’s recent decision.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Sleeping and waking controlled by same part of brain
This content was published on
Swiss researchers have shown that a single area of the brain – the thalamus – is responsible both for the actions of falling asleep and waking up.
This content was published on
Excluding others from a group is not always a disciplinary act; it can be an unintentional side-effect of the social interaction process.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.