Figure 1. Experimental flow.

(A) An example condition sequence is shown. The reputation and no-reputation conditions for three targets (self, partner, and stranger) were presented in a pseudorandom order. (B) Visual stimuli in the reputation condition are shown. A photograph of the evaluation target was presented throughout the reputation condition. The adjectives evaluated by ostensible evaluators and three choices in terms of desirability rating were presented for 3 s in the lower part of the display. Subjects were required to rate the social desirability of the adjectives irrespective of the evaluation target for 3 s. Three seconds after the adjective onset, the adjective and choices disappeared, and the photograph of the evaluation target alone was displayed for 1 s. In the reputation-condition block, six adjectives were displayed sequentially. (C) Visual stimuli in the no-reputation condition are shown. Here, ‘XXX’ was displayed instead of the adjectives and choices in the reputation condition. (D) In the rest-condition block, a fixation cross was presented at the center of the screen for 24 s.