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social behavior

·September 1, 2021·3 min read

What’s in a Face? Face-Type Judgments Could Lead to Bias

People are more likely to make racially stereotyped judgments about others when their facial features are considered typical of a racial or ethnic group.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·September 1, 2021·6 min read

Do Genetics Control Who Our Friends Are? It Seems So With Mice

A new study reveals there appears to be a neurobiological component that drives instantaneous compatibility, in mice at least. A variation of the PDE11 enzyme found in brain areas governing mood and motivation seems to control whether mice want to socially interact or not, with genetically similar mice preferring each other.

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Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 30, 2021·4 min read

Perceptions of Supernatural Beings Reveal Feelings About Good and Bad in Humans

People's beliefs about good and evil supernatural agents are influenced by how they view their fellow humans and human behavior.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 28, 2021·5 min read

Dunbar’s Number: Why the Theory That Humans Can Only Maintain 150 Friendships Has Withstood 30 Years of Scrutiny

Thirty years ago, Robin Dunbar theorized humans can maintain a friendship group of 150 people, with five intimate friendships. Despite many attempts to challenge the theory, Dunbar's Number has stood the test of time. Backed by neuroscience and statistics, Robin Dunbar explains why his theory still prevails.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 27, 2021·2 min read

A New Model for Group Decision-Making Shows How ‘Followers’ Can Influence the Outcome

A new mathematical model evaluates the influence of social learners in group decision-making and how a critical threshold is key to informed choices.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 16, 2021·7 min read

Loss of Placental Hormone Linked to Brain and Social Behavior Changes

Reduced amounts of the placental hormone allopregnanolone caused behavioral and developmental changes in the brains of male mouse offspring similar to those seen in autism.

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Featured Psychology

·August 6, 2021·5 min read

Desire for Social Status Is a Driver of Narcissism

Both grandiose and vulnerable narcissists crave high social status and recognition. Grandiose narcissists consider themselves more successful at being able to obtain high social status, while vulnerable narcissists do not believe they get the social recognition they deserve.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 3, 2021·6 min read

Users Banned From Social Platforms Go Elsewhere With Increased Toxicity

The prevailing theory is removing toxic social media users from accessing their accounts will prevent them from posting harmful content. Researchers say banned users increase their toxic postings via more lenient platforms when removed from top networks.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology Visual Neuroscience

·July 30, 2021·1 min read

Pupils Mirror Perception of Social Interaction

Perception of social interactions unfolds through pupil dilation. The findings shed light on the visual system's role in sensitivity to social interactions.

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Featured Psychology

·July 29, 2021·6 min read

We Are More Forgiving When People Close to Us Misbehave

People are less likely to harshly judge a friend or family member who acts unethically than they would a stranger. However, the leniency comes at a cost to the judger's sense of self-worth.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 27, 2021·4 min read

Empathy in Everyday Life

People will empathize with others when they recognize them as opportunities to show empathy, but often notice the feelings with others without flagging them as an opportunity to empathize.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 26, 2021·4 min read

65+ and Lonely? Don’t Talk to Your Doctor About Another Prescription

Researchers say older adults who feel lonely are twice as likely to use opioids to control pain, and 2.5 times more likely to be prescribed anti-anxiety medications and sedatives than those who have a more socially active lifestyle.