FeaturedNeuroscienceNeuroscience VideosPsychology·March 9, 2020·3 min readThe brain has two systems for thinking about others’ thoughtsStudy reveals two different brain structures are implicated in implicit and explicit theory of mind, and both regions mature at different ages to fulfill their function. The supramarginal gyrus matures earlier, enabling theory of mind to occur slightly earlier than believed. Full ability for theory of mind occurs at age four when the temporoparietal junction matures.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology·March 6, 2020·4 min readRats avoid to hurt other rats: Findings shed light on human empathy disordersRats show altruistic behavior and avoid harming other rats. Researchers report harm aversion is deeply engrained in our biology. The findings pave the way to increasing harm aversion in those with empathy disorders, such as psychopathy and sociopathy.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology·February 25, 2020·3 min readSocial anxiety could be an empathy imbalanceTaijin-kyofusho, a form of social anxiety disorder characterized by a fear of causing others discomfort as a result of the sufferer's behavioral reactions, is linked to hypersensitivity of the emotional states of others and an inability to identify emotional context.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology·February 19, 2020·4 min readNeuroimaging reveals empathy can be detected in people whose brains are at restBrain activity while in a resting state can predict how empathetic a person is. Researcher used a combination of neuroimaging data and machine learning to identify subtle patterns in brain activity associated with empathy.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology·February 4, 2020·5 min readAltruistic babies? Study shows infants are willing to give up food and help othersAs early as 19 months of age, children start to show altruistic behaviors. The study reports even when a small child is hungry, they will give their snack to a stranger in need. Findings reveal not only do young children engage in altruistic behavior, but early social experiences can also help shape future altruistic behaviors.Read More
AutismFeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·January 29, 2020·5 min readStudy challenges assumptions about social interaction difficulties in autismSuccessful social interactions for adults on the autism spectrum revolve around partner compatibility, not just the skill set of the other person.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·January 27, 2020·4 min readHow personality predicts seeing others as sex objectsThose with dark personality traits such as psychopathy, sadism, low affective empathy, narcissism, cold-heartedness, and meanness, are more likely to sexually objectify those of the opposite sex.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology·January 14, 2020·4 min readSiblings of children with intellectual disabilities score high on empathy and closenessThe relationship between typically developing children and siblings with intellectual disabilities is more positive than the relationship between typically developing siblings.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology·January 7, 2020·3 min readThe dark side of supportive relationshipsStudy explores the dynamics and repercussions of unconditional support in interpersonal relationships.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·December 12, 2019·6 min readThe empathy option: The science of how and why we choose to be empatheticIs empathy really on the decline, as a recent study suggests? Researchers investigate how and why people chose to be empathetic, or to avoid empathy, in their daily lives.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology·December 5, 2019·4 min readRats use same brain area as humans to empathize with othersReducing activity in the anterior cingulate decreases empathetic responses in rats. The data suggests an observer shares the emotions of others as it enables them to prepare for danger.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·October 22, 2019·2 min readBrain imaging reveals neural correlates of human social behaviorBrain imaging studies shed new light on social behaviors such as empathy and team flow. The findings provide new understanding of the neural basis of social behaviors and conditions involving social dysfunction.Read More
