How far does the moral dilemma go? Neural and autonomic correlates contribute to explain emotional conflict and empathy behavior in Sophie's Choice.

INTRODUCTION

This study examined EEG and autonomic responses during an emotionally intense and morally paradoxical film scene from Sophie's Choice.

METHODS

The cinematic content was segmented into 56 segments based on characters' facial expressions and categorized by emotional valence. EEG and autonomic analyses were conducted across the full scene and by character.

RESULTS

Results showed increased delta activity in left frontal areas during morally ambiguous segments, indicating anticipatory control; theta in left temporoparietal regions reflected empathic engagement with the narrative; gamma increased during the victim's distress, signaling emotional resonance. Skin conductance rose during Nazi-related scenes, highlighting external threat salience.

DISCUSSION: Findings illustrate how film can elicit distinct neurophysiological patterns, offering a powerful lens to study moral and emotional processing in immersive, narrative-driven contexts. These findings should be considered preliminary and exploratory, offering initial evidence on neurophysiological dynamics during morally complex cinematic experiences.