Summary: Empathy, often considered a fixed trait, has been shown to be malleable in adults, influenced by observing the empathetic reactions of others. The study utilized Computational Modeling and functional…
Category: social neuroscience
Amplifying Stereotypes: The Lasting Impact of Gender Bias in Images
Summary: Visual content on platforms like Google Images reinforces gender stereotypes more strongly than textual content. This pioneering study indicates that online images not only display a stronger bias towards…
Bystander Support Reduces Antisocial Behavior
Summary: A new study emphasizes the crucial role of bystanders in confronting anti-social behavior. Three studies showed that bystander support reinforces social norms and discourages harmful conduct, while silence or…
Rumination Alters Brain’s Response to Social Rejection
Summary: A new study reveals that adolescent girls who ruminate show distinct brain activity patterns when facing social rejection. Using fMRI scans, the research demonstrates increased activity in brain areas…
Fair Share or Fair Play: Unraveling Our Brain’s Fairness Mechanisms
Summary: Researchers evaluate the neuroscientific aspects of fairness in social settings, examining how we balance personal interests with social norms. Using electric brain stimulation on 60 volunteers, researchers identified key…
Revealing Secrets: People’s Fear of Judgment is Overestimated
Summary: New research dispels fears of judgment when sharing secrets. Study shows that when individuals confide their secrets, others perceive them as more charitable and trustworthy. Participants consistently expected harsher…
Balancing Act: The Mixed Blessings of Solitude on Mental Health
Summary: A new study examines the nuanced impact of solitude on mental health among adults aged 35 and older in the UK and US. Tracking 178 participants over 21 days,…
Hikikomori: New Tool Sheds Light on Social Isolation Phenomenon
Summary: Researchers developed the Hikikomori Diagnostic Evaluation (HiDE), a new assessment tool for identifying pathological social withdrawal or hikikomori. This condition, initially identified in Japan, is characterized by extended physical…
Loneliness Merges Real and Fictional Friends in the Brain
Summary: Researchers discovered that lonely fans of “Game of Thrones” processed their favorite characters similarly to real friends in their brains. By using fMRI scans while participants considered the traits…
Social Media Algorithms Distort Social Instincts and Fuel Misinformation
Summary: Social media algorithms, designed to boost user engagement for advertising revenue, amplify the biases inherent in human social learning processes, leading to misinformation and polarization. As humans naturally learn…
