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social behavior

·July 1, 2025·3 min read

Aging Brain May Adapt to Decode Tricky Social Cues

New research shows that older adults may compensate for age-related cognitive decline by enhancing activity in a specific brain region linked to attention—the locus coeruleus (LC). In a brain imaging study, older participants showed stronger LC responses when interpreting ambiguous facial expressions, compared to younger adults.

This shows a chimp and a child on cell phones.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 24, 2025·5 min read

Chimpanzees and Children Share a Curiosity for Social Drama

A new study shows that both chimpanzees and young children are drawn to watching social interactions—sometimes even at a cost. When given a choice between viewing videos of social behavior or solo individuals, both species consistently chose the social scenes.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·June 18, 2025·3 min read

Alzheimer’s Risk Linked to Increased Social Activity, Not Isolation

Contrary to popular belief, a new study suggests that people with a higher genetic risk for Alzheimer’s may become more socially engaged—not less. Researchers analyzed data from over 500,000 individuals and found that higher-risk participants reported lower social isolation and more positive family interactions.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 18, 2025·5 min read

Most People Overestimate Their Moral Courage Under Pressure

A new study reveals that most people believe they would defy immoral orders from authority figures more than others would. This cognitive bias, known as the “better-than-average effect,” causes individuals to underestimate their own susceptibility to social pressure.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 13, 2025·5 min read

Across Generations, Humans Are Driven to Keep Culture Alive

A new paper proposes the cultural continuity hypothesis, suggesting that humans are universally driven to preserve essential aspects of their culture across generations. Drawing on psychology, sociology, and anthropology, the researchers argue that cultural retention fosters identity, belonging, and psychological well-being.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 31, 2025·5 min read

Kindness Sparks Cooperation by Boosting Social Connectedness

New research reveals that everyday niceness—like warm tones, smiles, and active listening—can significantly improve teamwork and increase willingness to cooperate. These small acts foster a sense of social connectedness, which serves as the bridge between kindness and collaboration.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 27, 2025·3 min read

Amygdala Shapes Social Choices in Song-Learning Young Birds

Young zebra finches learn their birdsong by observing and imitating adult "tutor" birds, but they don’t follow just anyone. A new study shows that juvenile finches prefer tutors who sing longer but less often, suggesting social cues guide their choices.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 23, 2025·6 min read

Overimitation May Not Signal Social Bonding in Toddlers Just Yet

Overimitation, the tendency to copy unnecessary actions, has been observed in older children but was previously unstudied in toddlers under two. A new study found that 16–21-month-olds showed low rates of overimitation, and it wasn’t driven by a desire to affiliate with people similar to themselves.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 15, 2025·5 min read

AI’s Spontaneously Develop Social Norms Like Humans

Large language model (LLM) AI agents, when interacting in groups, can form shared social conventions without centralized coordination. Researchers adapted a classic “naming game” framework to test whether populations of AI agents could develop consensus through repeated, limited interactions.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 14, 2025·4 min read

Incel Culture Links Work Avoidance to Group Loyalty

A new study reveals that many self-identified incels reject employment not only due to mental health challenges, but as a deliberate expression of identity reinforced by online communities. By analyzing over 1,200 forum posts, researchers found that incel spaces often celebrate unemployment and isolation as signs of ideological purity, pressuring others to remain disengaged from work or education.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 13, 2025·4 min read

Social Status Shapes Addiction Risk Through Dopamine Circuitry

A new study reveals how social rank influences addiction vulnerability by altering dopamine pathways in the brain. Low-ranking male mice showed stronger reward signals and weaker control circuits, making them more prone to seek methamphetamine, while high-ranking mice had better balance and resistance.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 13, 2025·6 min read

Diverse Social Ties Boost Health in Aging

A decade-long study of over 1,500 older adults reveals that socially enriched networks—marked by diverse and active relationships, are strongly linked to better health outcomes later in life. In contrast, those with restricted networks, often limited to family and shaped by isolation, reported significantly worse health and were less likely to improve their social ties over time.