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…
Category: social neuroscience
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…
Better ‘Mind Reading’ Skills Linked to Enhanced Cooperation
Summary: A new study reveals that individuals with stronger ‘mindreading’ abilities, or the capacity to understand others’ feelings and intentions, are more successful in cooperative tasks. This trait, also known…
Six Degrees of Connection: A Mathematical Take on Social Ties
Summary: Scientists used mathematics to explain the social phenomenon of six degrees of separation. Their work suggests that the balance between the cost and benefit of maintaining social connections shapes…
Gender and Education, Not Politics, Shape Our Social Skills
Summary: Gender and education, rather than political beliefs, are significant factors in people’s social skills. Researchers analyzed qualities such as agreeableness, ability to pick up on subtle cues, and self-reflection…
Context Matters: Oxytocin Influenced by Context of Social Touch
Summary: The hormone oxytocin, which is released in social bonding and touch, functions like a dimmer switch, influenced by the situation, according to researchers. A study of 42 women found…
