The human relationship with mortality has been widely studied in psychology research, with an extensive record suggesting that death-related stimuli impact behavior, even without conscious awareness. Yet, little is known about the underlying brain activity. In this systematic review, we aimed to examine whether there is something distinctive about the neural processing of death-related stimuli. We conducted a literature search to find studies where participants had been presented with death-related vs. other negatively valenced stimuli while undergoing functional brain imaging scanning. Seven functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies with a total of 204 participants adhered to our criteria. Five of six studies that used whole-brain analysis found that unpleasant stimuli consistently elicited increased insular activity, but only when it was unrelated to mortality. This suggests a difference between the neural processing of death and other threats. We discuss possible interpretations and speculate that it is related to the insula’s role in sense of self and assessment of threat. Further research is needed to determine whether this marker is robust and what its function and consequences may be. A better understanding of how individuals process death-related information promises deeper insight into the human relationship with mortality. Bringing to light the nature of this relationship has significant implications for individuals and society, not least for mental health interventions and end-of-life care.

This paper investigates whether privatisation of welfare services increases the Swedish middle classes’ support for the welfare state. This study is situated within an adaptation of the Paradox of Redistribution, according to which privatisation may be a way of accommodating the interests of an increasingly individualistic and autonomous middle class. The support of the middle classes is thought to be crucial, as it provides the resources necessary to maintain a comprehensive welfare state. A survey experiment is used in order to examine the causal link between specific information stimuli regarding to what degree specific welfare services are provided by private actors, and survey respondents’ personal willingness to pay taxes for specific welfare services. The use of information stimuli follows from an assumption of ill-informed respondents. The willingness to pay for specific welfare services serve as a micro-level indicator of welfare state support, with a macro-level indicator serving as a complement. Key evidence is found in the micro-level case of social services, and the overall results are taken to give support for the hypothesis. The paper provides important insights into how Swedish policy makers could reason with regards to the design of welfare services, if they are interested in securing the financing, and in turn, the longevity of a comprehensive welfare state.