Articles tagged with Social Neuroscience
A new study found that eating with a companion reduces blood glucose spikes and improves glucose recovery, suggesting that human physiology is inherently social. The researchers call this principle Social Physiology, which states that the human body regulates itself more efficiently in the presence of social partners.
Catherine Dulac's research revealed the neural circuits underlying instinctive behaviors such as mating, parenting, and aggression. She has made striking discoveries about how the brain generates complex parenting behaviors.
A study published in Nature Neuroscience found that social isolation increases alcohol consumption in male mice by activating a specific brain circuit, while decreasing it in female mice. The researchers identified a neural pathway connecting the basolateral amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex, which may hold key to understanding alc...
A study in mice found that the prefrontal cortex can block flexible thinking, but silencing this region allows for faster learning of a new strategy. This discovery may provide insights into human neurodiversity and cognitive disorders.
Researchers found that live sporting events stimulate oxytocin dynamics, leading to increased heart-rate synchrony among casual spectators. This physiological response is linked to greater enjoyment, unity with players and spectators, immersion, and intention to reattend future events.
A groundbreaking new study introduces the concept of Time-Extension Self-Efficacy (TESE), which predicts an employee's willingness to go the extra mile at work. The research found that organizations can influence these beliefs through simple recall exercises, boosting TESE and encouraging greater collaboration and flexibility.
Researchers at MIT found that people expect generosity to flow one way in asymmetric relationships, and follow precedent to maintain equal relationships. In symmetric relationships, such as friendships or family ties, reciprocity is expected, but not in asymmetric ones.
A new study reveals how Philip Morris Companies Inc. used cigarette research and flavor engineering to design Lunchables, a successful ultra-processed food for children. The company's strategy was based on optimizing 'technical synergies' between tobacco and food divisions.
A new book by Swansea University researchers argues that attention impairments, rather than memory dysfunction, are a key aspect of dementia. The authors suggest that recognizing these changes could lead to earlier identification, improved diagnosis, and better care for those affected.
Researchers will investigate the role of interleukin-1 receptor type 1 (IL-1R1) in brain function, behavior, and psychiatric health. The study aims to define the physiological role of IL-1R1 in the brain and explore its influence on social behaviors.
A new review explores the emerging science of interpersonal physiological synchrony, a phenomenon where people's bodies appear to 'move together' during social interaction. The study suggests that synchrony is dynamic and multi-layered, influenced by context, individual differences, and social interaction.
Researchers developed a single-item hoarding screen to quickly identify hoarding behaviors in patients with memory and brain disorders. The tool shows promise in flagging potentially serious hoarding behavior, especially in patients with behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia.
Researchers have identified a molecular mechanism that regulates the slow and sustained release of oxytocin within the brain, which is essential for modulating social interactions. This finding provides new insights into how hormonal signaling is regulated in the brain and opens avenues for research into neuropsychiatric disorders.
Researchers at Nagoya University developed an AI system called YORU that recognizes animal behaviors with over 90% accuracy. The system combines real-time video capture with optogenetics to selectively target brain cells driving specific behaviors, offering a major breakthrough in social behavior studies.
A new study published in Nature Communications found that people are more willing to help others when they experience poorer conditions. The researchers tested willingness to help in different contexts and found that people were more likely to stop what they were doing to help others in a poor environment than in a richer one.
Research by Université Laval found that physical exercise and living in favorable conditions reduce depression risk by maintaining blood-brain barrier integrity. Fgf2 protein plays a key role in this mechanism and may serve as a biomarker for mood disorders.
A study found that when people work together on a shared task, their brains process information in similar ways. After an initial period of synchronized neural activity, the alignment of brain activity increased as the pairs worked together and followed agreed-upon rules.
Researchers at Kobe University have discovered a specific set of neurons that direct mice's attention to peers in need and those who are friends. These 'PV interneurons' play a crucial role in modulating social behavior, including empathy and preference for social targets.
Researchers found that repeated tickling increases oxytocin receptor expression in a rat brain region, mediating social bond formation across species. Pleasant tactile stimulation drives affinity-like behavior, indicating the formation of social bonds.
Researchers explored neuroanatomy underlying social dominance in nonhuman primates, focusing on the uncinate fasciculus and its correlation with social dominance measures. The study found a significant correlation between this brain tract and social aggression, supporting human studies linking it to social dominance.
Researchers discovered a novel connection between the amygdala brain region and social learning in zebra finches. Young birds preferred approaching tutors with longer but less frequent songs, suggesting the amygdala plays a role in socially selective behavior. This finding sheds new light on the neural mechanisms underlying song learning.
Studies show that people, including doctors, underestimate the significance of social connection for physical health. Research confirms that loneliness and isolation have a substantial impact on health and mortality despite not being listed on death certificates.
A VR flight experience has been shown to reduce both physiological and subjective fear responses to heights. The degree of fear reduction correlates with the extent to which participants felt they could transition to a safe state through self-initiated actions.
Researchers from the University of Texas at San Antonio discovered a significant link between REM sleep disturbances and increased PTSD severity. The study suggests that targeting REM sleep could be a promising approach for improving PTSD treatment outcomes.
Researchers found that rats are more likely to aid distressed peers if they have previous positive social interactions with them. Helper rats showed increased activity in brain regions associated with empathy and motivation compared to less helpful rats. Oxytocin signaling may play a role in motivating rats to care for others.
A study published in JNeurosci found that brain activity associated with social coordination during dance is linked to specific movement patterns, particularly bouncing or flexing of the knees. This discovery sheds light on how the brain supports socially engaging activities while integrating dynamic sensory information.
A study found that people process movements differently based on avatar appearance, with a neural system dedicated to perceiving others' movements playing a key role. The findings may help scientists improve human-AI interactions.
A new study by MIT researchers finds that constructed languages such as Esperanto and Klingon elicit similar responses in the brain's language-processing network, suggesting that meaning is a key feature of language. This discovery helps define some of the key properties of language and narrows down the question of what a language is.
Researchers at University College London found that the brain uses specific patterns of activity, or 'building blocks,' to understand social interactions. These fundamental patterns are thought to represent common interaction patterns across various situations, allowing brains to simplify complex information and make decisions quickly.
A history of social isolation and alcohol use may influence how males and females respond to ketamine treatment. Female rats took ketamine more than males, while prior alcohol use increased female rat ketamine intake and changed synapse structure.
Psychologists from the Konstanz Cluster of Excellence use portable EEGs to examine synchronization of brain activity in groups of viewers who watch real video health messages against risky alcohol consumption. The study demonstrates that strong messages lead to increased synchronization of brain waves, a key finding with implications f...
A social work graduate has published her research on cognitive decline among refugees, finding that those who have experienced trauma are more likely to suffer from mild cognitive impairment. The study highlights the need for interventions that address these gaps in care and promote healthier aging.
Bentham Science journals Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry and CNS & Neurological Disorders – Drug Targets accepted for PsycInfo database indexing, enhancing global visibility of research. PsycInfo provides extensive coverage of behavioral and social sciences, making this move a significant step forward.
A study found that speakers smiled more when listeners smiled more, especially in same-sex conversations. Smile synchronization is essential in creating social bonds and fostering positive feelings.
Researchers from the University of Virginia Health System found that out-of-body experiences can foster deepened emotional connections with others, leading to increased empathy. This phenomenon, known as ego dissolution, can have a transformative effect on people's ability to experience empathy and connect with others.
A new study from King's College London found that people often hold incorrect assumptions about others with different political views. Despite seeking more information, participants were unable to accurately predict the thoughts and opinions of those in their out-group.
A new study by Lancaster University highlights that women are more likely than men to experience 'digital overload' and burnout due to their greater use of digital technologies in both work and family lives. The research emphasizes the need for gender-egalitarian work-from-home arrangements and policies to address this issue.
Researchers at USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences found that brains display unique neural activity when experiencing bittersweetness, a common yet understudied phenomenon. They discovered that mixed emotions hold steady over time, unlike ping-ponging between negative and positive feelings.
Researchers studied newborn baboon brain anatomy to predict future gestural communication handedness, finding that nearly 70% developed a right-hand preference. The study suggests a shared evolutionary heritage and potential clinical implications for brain surgery patients.
A study by IBS researchers has identified the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) as a key region responsible for sensory hypersensitivity associated with autism spectrum disorders. The team discovered that ACC hyperactivity and brain-wide hyperconnectivity contribute to sensory abnormalities in Grin2b-mutant mice.
A national US study found that nearly a quarter of children with symptoms of brain injuries or concussions were not checked for the condition. Younger children were more likely to be overlooked. Routine checks can help ensure these children receive necessary care and support their mental and social well-being.
A new review links poverty and low socioeconomic status to brain changes that influence educational attainment, psychiatric illness, and language development. Chronic stress, poor nutrition, and environmental hazards can impair brain development, leading to negative consequences for individuals and families.
Researchers have solved the long-standing question of what triggers the alarm response in fish by identifying two distinct chemical signals: Daniol sulphate and Ostariopterin. These substances convey separate pieces of information that must be detected simultaneously to trigger a flight-or-freeze response.
A new study found that the brains of polyglots process their native language with minimal effort, while more proficient languages activate the language network stronger. The researchers explored how polyglots' brains respond to different languages and proficiency levels.
Researchers at University of California - San Francisco have developed a precise map of what is happening in the brain’s auditory cortex when someone hears a melody. The study found that some aspects of music are entwined with how we understand speech, while other important aspects stand alone. The brain uses two sets of neurons to ass...
A study published in Nature tracked neural activity of freely moving macaques using wireless eye tracking and neural monitoring. The research found that the visual cortex plays an active role in social behavior by providing signals to the prefrontal cortex, enabling the decision to cooperate.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that familiar scents can strengthen memory recall in depressed individuals, potentially aiding recovery. Researchers discovered that odors engage the amygdala, a key component of memory formation, more effectively than words.
Researchers investigated role of estrogen receptors in lateral septum regulating social anxiety in male mice, finding that ERβ plays a crucial role in neural circuitry. Knockdown effects on ERβ gene expression showed increased social anxiety, highlighting its importance in social situations.
A new study finds that complex and unfamiliar sentences generate stronger responses in the brain's language processing centers. Sentences with higher surprisal and linguistic complexity evoke more activation, while extremely simple or nonsensical sequences elicit little response.
Regular cannabis users show a greater understanding of others' emotions, while their brains exhibit stronger connections between regions related to emotional sensing. This study suggests potential therapeutic applications for conditions involving social interaction deficits.
A research team at the University of Minnesota Medical School has identified the cerebellum as a critical component in coordinating brain networks essential for social recognition memory. This discovery holds promise for the development of targeted therapies for neurodegenerative disorders, which often feature loss of recognition memory.
The Open Encyclopedia of Cognitive Science (OECS) is a dynamic web reference that will equip readers with essential tools to grapple with the profound implications of cognition and intelligence in today's society. With generous funding from James S. McDonnell Foundation and the Allen Institute for AI, the first set of articles will be ...
Researchers observe 'social motor entrainment' in macaques, where movements synchronize with others, and find it varies by animal pairs, social hierarchy, and stimulus type. This study provides insights into the neural underpinnings of social cohesion and has implications for understanding human conditions like autism spectrum disorder.
Researchers found that leptin receptor neurons prioritize social interaction over eating and drinking in moderately hungry mice. This system can only regulate moderate hunger, but not strong hunger, which may contribute to why diets don't work.
Researchers employed computer vision to extract social behaviors and linked them to brain synchronization patterns in a novel approach. During cooperative play, brain synchronization was strongest when participants shared gaze, while individual play showed increased within-brain synchronization.
A study by UC San Francisco and Stanford Medicine found that removing the oxytocin receptor does not interfere with monogamy or giving birth. Prairie voles bred without receptors for oxytocin showed similar mating, attachment, and parenting behaviors as regular voles.
A survey of researchers and the public reveals a high percentage are in favor of proceeding with neuroscience research and brain-related information use. The general public expresses hopeful feelings about this research, while major differences exist between the two groups on ELSI topics.
Researchers found that dopamine-releasing neurons in the ventral tegmental area of the brain drive maternal instincts through reinforcement learning. This process creates an expectation of future rewards, influencing mothers to pick up their crying children again.
A new Dartmouth study uses a subjective approach to investigate how people perceive social interactions. The results show that the brain responds more strongly to information interpreted as social versus non-social, highlighting humans' tendency to see social connections.
Chronic social defeat stress impairs brain reward function, leading to severe social avoidance. A subset of susceptible mice exhibit heightened activity of lateral septum neurotensin neurons, which inhibit centers encoding social rewards.