Summary: People instinctively mimic others’ facial expressions, but new research shows we do this far more with joyful faces than with sadness or anger—and that the intensity of mimicry predicts…
Tag: behavioral neuroscience
Guilt and Shame Shape Behavior Through Separate Brain Pathways
Summary: Guilt and shame arise from different cognitive triggers and rely on distinct neural systems to guide compensatory behavior. Using a controlled game that manipulated both harm and responsibility, researchers…
Genes Behind Dog Behaviors Also Shape Human Emotions
Summary: Researchers analyzed the genomes and behavioral profiles of 1,300 golden retrievers and found that several behavioral traits—such as trainability, fear of strangers, and aggression toward other dogs—are shaped by…
Loneliness Drives Teens to Seek Rewards
Summary: A new study reveals that adolescents are highly sensitive to even brief periods of social isolation, showing a sharp increase in motivation to seek rewards after just a few…
Astrocyte Disruption Tied to Depression After Childhood Stress
Summary: Researchers have shown that astrocytes in the lateral hypothalamus play a pivotal role in how stress shapes behavior, particularly after early-life adversity. In mice, stress led to smaller, less…
How Upbringing Shapes Risk Decisions
Summary: A new study suggests that the way you take risks as an adult may depend less on how risky you are by nature and more on the types of…
Do Dog Faces Shape Behavior?
Summary: Short-nosed dog breeds like Pugs and French Bulldogs are often perceived as calm, affectionate companions—but their behavior is influenced by more than just head shape. A new study of…
