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social behavior

·November 29, 2022·4 min read

Toward Early Detection of the Pathological Social Withdrawal Syndrome Known as ‘Hikikomori’

Hikikomori is a complex condition where a person withdraws from society and remains isolated at home for more than six months. The condition is becoming more prevalent in Western societies. Researchers have developed a new method designed to help detect hikikomori at an earlier stage and provide treatment.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·November 23, 2022·5 min read

Gene That Guides Earliest Social Behaviors Could Be Key to Understanding Autism

The TOP2a gene controls a network of genes that contribute to ASD. Drugs that suppress TOP2a during development can turn on a cluster of other genes that disrupt brain development and increase autism risks. Alterations to the TOP2a gene may be responsible for the social behavioral difficulties associated with ASD.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 21, 2022·6 min read

Do You Underestimate the Impact of Being Kind?

Those who act with kindness often underestimate how much others appreciate their actions.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·November 10, 2022·2 min read

Why Eye Contact Is Rare Among People With Autism

During eye contact, those with ASD have significantly reduced activity in the dorsal parietal cortex compared to those who are not on the autism spectrum.

This shows a brain slice with serotonin neurons in the Nca highlighted

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 4, 2022·6 min read

Serotonin Key to Social Aversion During Withdrawal From Opioids

Opioid withdrawal cuts off the supply of serotonin to the nucleus accumbens, dramatically reducing sociability in mice and increasing social aversion.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·November 1, 2022·4 min read

A Gut-Brain Connection for Social Development

Healthy microbes in the gut encourage synaptic pruning in brain circuits associated with social behavior. Previous research has linked both poor synaptic pruning and gut health to neurodevelopmental disorders including ASD. The new findings could pave the way for treatments for disorders associated with social behavior deficits.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 1, 2022·4 min read

Sensitivity to Musical Rhythm Supports Social Development in Infants

Singing to an infant helps to support social development and interaction, researchers report.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 31, 2022·6 min read

Low Sense of Personal Control Increases People’s Affinity for Tighter, Rules-Based Culture

Those who feel they lack personal control over their lives tend to prefer a culture that imposes order. In turn, these "tighter" cultures perpetuate their existence by reducing a person's sense of individual control and increase their sense of collective control.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 30, 2022·5 min read

Teenage Brains: What Is Happening and Why It Leads to More Risky Behaviors

Decision-making requires two different brain areas that mature at different times during the teenage years. This may help parents understand why their teens are more prone to making risky decisions.

This shows a statue of a suffering man behind barbed wire

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 30, 2022·5 min read

Empathy for the Pain of the Conflicting Group Is Altered Across Generations in the Aftermath of a Genocide

Children of both perpetrators and survivors of genocide display the same ingroup biases of their parents, even though they did not experience the event themselves. This may explain why conflicts can last over generations. The study also suggests it is difficult for survivors and perpetrators to let go of intergroup biases following a tragedy.

This shows a cartoon of a couple under a tree holding heart balloons

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 29, 2022·5 min read

Exploring Virtual Romantic Relationships

Study examines virtual romantic relationships, or romantic anthropomorphism, exploring how a human's romantic needs can be met by anthropomorphized agents.