LAUSR

The complexity of the environment requires humans to solve problems collaboratively. The aim of this study was to investigate the neural mechanism of social navigation in group problem solving situations. A novel cooperative task was designed in which dyadic participants assumed the role of operator or navigator with different skills and knowledge and worked together to complete the task. Using fNIRS-based hyperscanning, we found stronger interbrain neural synchronization of the right temporoparietal junction (rTPJ) between dyads when the operator received instructions from the navigator rather than from a computer. The functional connections between the rTPJ and the other brain areas indicated the involvement of the mirror neural system during the task. Further directional analysis using Granger causality analysis revealed a flow of information from temporal to parietal and then to premotor cortex in the operator's brain. These findings provide empirical evidence for the neural mechanism of social navigation and highlight the importance of the rTPJ for communication and joint attention in uncertain group problem solving situations.