Investigating the neural basis of human-AI trust games

Tunstall, Emily Talia (2026) Investigating the neural basis of human-AI trust games. MSc(R) thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is only becoming more common in our day-to-day lives, and trust is an integral mediator of appropriate interactions with AI.

The present study is an exploratory investigation into neural activations in 17 healthy adults when making decisions in a fMRI trust game paradigm. Comparisons were made between participants choices of trust, mistrust, reciprocation, and betrayal when playing opposite a human, an AI and a computer/lottery condition with known probabilistic outcomes. As far as the author is aware, this is the first work that investigates all three of these conditions at the same time.

Five significant brain activation clusters were found. Activation in these clusters was then correlated with self-reported beliefs about AI and automated technology with mixed results.

Overall, this research provides an exploration of the mechanisms underlying human behaviour when interacting with a novel and incredibly fast-moving industry.

• Item Type: Thesis (MSc(R))
• Qualification Level: Masters
• Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
• Colleges/Schools: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience
• Supervisor's Name: Pollick, Professor Frank and Huang, Dr. Yingying
• Date of Award: 2026
• Depositing User: Theses Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:2026-86337
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 11 Nov 2026 12:53
• Last Modified: 11 Nov 2026 12:55
• Thesis DOI: 10.5525/gla.thesis.86337
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/86337