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social neuroscience

This shows old friends hugging in a street

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·September 9, 2021·4 min read

Socializing May Improve Older Adults’ Cognitive Function in Daily Life

Older adults who frequently connect with friends and others in social situations perform better on cognitive function tests than those who are not so social.

This shows lots of shoppers walking around Reagent's Street

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·September 7, 2021·4 min read

Boom in Social Stress May Contribute to Population Decline

Researchers hypothesis the projected decline in global population by 2064 will be a result of social stress.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·September 7, 2021·4 min read

Social Isolation Can Be Deadly for Older Adults

Socially isolated older adults are more likely to die when admitted to ICU or face an increased risk of disability once discharged than those who have social support.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·September 2, 2021·4 min read

Smiling Can Build Relationships Even After Someone Has Been Untrustworthy

When you've acted in an uncooperative or untrustworthy way, the way you smile could either help heal or hinder social relationships. Those whose smiles reflected reward, or a signal that they were happy, or a smile of dominance, which reflects a feeling of superiority, appeared to be untrustworthy and unlikely to change their deceptive nature. However, a smile of affiliation was perceived as an attempt to make amends, restoring levels of trust.

This shows two pieces of a jigsaw puzzle

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·September 2, 2021·4 min read

Study Highlights Mental Health Impacts of Isolation

Following periods of acute isolation, female mice display a strong desire to socialize with other females by significantly increasing their production of social calls that are much like human emotional vocalizations. The behavioral response provides a new avenue to understand neural mechanisms through which social isolation affects a person's social motivation and mental health.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·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.

This shows a woman with a cartoon angel and devil sitting on each hand

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.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·August 16, 2021·6 min read

Having a Good Listener Improves Your Brain Health

Having at least one person you can rely on to listen to your concerns when you need to talk can help improve cognitive resilience and stave off cognitive decline associated with neurodegeneration and aging.