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social neuroscience

This shows an older person walking in a street and a brain.

·June 26, 2025·3 min read

Neighborhood Disadvantage Linked to Alzheimer’s Biomarkers and Inflammation

Living in disadvantaged neighborhoods may increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by elevating biomarkers associated with inflammation and neurodegeneration. A long-term study of 334 older adults found higher levels of tau and YKL-40, biomarkers linked to Alzheimer’s and brain inflammation, in people from less advantaged areas.

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 Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·June 12, 2025·4 min read

Social Status and Genes Interact to Shape the Aging Brain

A global study of nearly one million individuals has identified hundreds of genetic regions linked to socioeconomic status, revealing a shared genetic signal across income, education, occupation, and deprivation. Researchers found that about 9% of the variation in socioeconomic status could be attributed to genetics, while the rest was driven by social and environmental factors.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 2, 2025·4 min read

Board Game Helps Autistic Players Express Emotions Through Images

A new study finds that the storytelling board game Dixit may help people with autism express their thoughts and emotions. By selecting from illustrated cards, players can convey personal experiences and discuss complex topics like identity, anxiety, and social misunderstanding.

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

·May 22, 2025·3 min read

Social Engagement Linked to Longer Life

A new study shows that older adults who stay socially active have a significantly lower risk of death over four years compared to those with low social engagement. The research, involving over 2,200 individuals aged 60 and older, found that high engagement in activities like charity work, grandparenting, and club participation reduced mortality risk by 42%.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 20, 2025·5 min read

Silent Signals: How We Recognize Social Rank Instantly

Mice, like humans, navigate social hierarchies using subtle cues—but instead of reading facial expressions or clothing, they rely on chemical signals. A new study reveals that male mice can determine the social rank of unfamiliar opponents using airborne odors and physical scent cues.