Latest

social behavior

·June 17, 2022·5 min read

Socially Isolated People Have Differently Wired Brains and Poorer Cognition

Social isolation is linked to alterations in brain structure and cognitive deficits. Additionally, social isolation can increase the risk of developing dementia as a person ages.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 16, 2022·5 min read

Us Versus Them: Harming the ‘Outgroup’ Is Linked to Elevated Activity in the Brain’s Reward Circuitry

Aggression toward members in an "outgroup" was associated with increased activity in areas of the brain associated with reward. Activity in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex impacted the level of aggression a person demonstrated against an outsider.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 16, 2022·3 min read

Researchers Described How the Cerebellum Modulates Our Ability to Socialize

Dopamine in the cerebellum helps regulate social behaviors via its action on D2 receptors. Changes in D2 levels in Purkinje cells alter sociability and preference for social novelty without affecting motor function.

This shows children putting their hands on top of each other

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 2, 2022·7 min read

What Oxytocin Can Tell Us About the Evolution of Human Prosociality

Study sheds new light on the genetics underlying possible social differences between modern humans, our ancestors, and other primate species.

This shows a woman sitting alone on a dock

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 1, 2022·4 min read

Finding the Biological Roots for the Pathological Social Withdrawal Known as ‘Hikikomori’

Hikikomori is a mental health disorder identified as a pathological social withdrawal. Researchers have discovered a number of biomarkers in the blood associated with hikikomori.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 27, 2022·4 min read

Many Attendees of Gatherings Like Burning Man Report “Transformative Experiences”

Attendees of social gatherings like Burning Man who report the event was a transformative experience in their lives report feeling more connected with all of humanity and are more willing to help distant strangers.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 24, 2022·4 min read

Research Does Not Support the Adage “Boys Will Be Boys”

Study reveals there are not that many "girlish girls" or "boyish boys."

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 21, 2022·4 min read

Humans May Have Evolved to Show Signs of Stress to Evoke Support From Others

Physical stress responses such as nail-biting or fidgeting may have evolved to show we are in a weakened state, prompting others to act more positively toward us.

Featured Neuroscience Neuroscience Videos Psychology

·May 21, 2022·3 min read

Stress Can Make You More Selfish

Higher levels of stress can diminish altruistic behaviors, researchers report.

This shows someone pulling a jigsaw piece from a model's head

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·May 15, 2022·5 min read

What Makes Some More Afraid of Change Than Others?

Differences in gene expression in key brain areas may account for the reason some are less fearful of change than others.

This shows a child playing with small toys

Autism Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·May 12, 2022·4 min read

Children With Autism Exhibit Typical Joint Attention During Toy Play With a Parent

Young children on the autism spectrum achieved joined attention similar to that of a neurotypical child when playing with their parents.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 11, 2022·4 min read

The Role Empathy May Play in Music

People who are more accurate at reading another person's emotions are better able to understand what a musician is trying to convey through their compositions. Additionally, those with higher empathetic accuracy are better able to feel the emotions conveyed through music.