Connecting neural responses in social competition and secrecy burden: EEG, fNIRS, and personality insights
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Social competition and the burden of secrecy, although distinct psychological constructs, generate comparable cognitive and emotional strain in socially evaluative contexts. This paper synthesises evidence from EEG and fNIRS studies, together with personality research, to examine how these two forms of social pressure operate within the adolescent brain. Social competition engages neural systems involved in self-referential thinking, selective attention, and reward processing, particularly within the ventral striatum and prefrontal cortex. These effects are further shaped by personality traits that influence individual sensitivity to evaluative feedback. Secrecy, defined as withholding personally meaningful information, also activates the prefrontal cortex and amygdala and imposes persistent cognitive load through intrusive preoccupation. This burden is intensified in individuals with low self-esteem or poor friendship quality. Both competition and secrecy draw heavily on cognitive resources, distort social perception, and heighten demands on emotional regulation. Their shared mechanisms indicate a common source of mental fatigue and reduced decision-making capacity, especially when goals conflict or when individuals monitor both internal states and external evaluations. These parallels underscore the importance of understanding how social pressure contributes to cognitive exhaustion, interpersonal withdrawal, and increased vulnerability to stress. The convergence of these findings carries practical relevance for educational, organisational, and other institutional settings. Interventions such as mindfulness programmes and cognitive reappraisal training may help reduce evaluative strain and strengthen regulation skills in environments where competition and secrecy frequently intersect. A clearer understanding of the shared neural and psychological processes involved may support the development of strategies that lessen cognitive burden and promote well-being in socially demanding contexts.
Author: Bennett, Kevin
Language: English
Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7138720741