Summary: 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…
Tag: social neuroscience
Kindness Sparks Cooperation by Boosting Social Connectedness
Summary: 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…
Incel Culture Links Work Avoidance to Group Loyalty
Summary: A new study reveals that many self-identified incels reject employment not only due to mental health challenges, but as a deliberate expression of identity reinforced by online communities. By…
Moral Outrage Goes Viral, But Doesn’t Drive Action Online
Summary: A new study analyzing over a million posts linked to online petitions found that while moral outrage boosts a post’s virality, it doesn’t significantly increase petition signatures. Emotional and…
Stressful Neighborhoods May Numb Kids’ Brains to Joy and Loss
Summary: Children raised in disadvantaged neighborhoods may show blunted brain responses to rewards and losses, especially if they have a family history of depression. New research reveals that community-level stress,…
Music Mindfulness Eases Anxiety and Depression
Summary: Mindfulness exercises paired with music were found to engage both neural and cardiac systems, potentially reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. A recent study showed that live and virtual…
How the Brain Judges Social Encounters
Summary: Scientists have identified the neural circuitry responsible for assigning emotional value, positive or negative, to social encounters. Two key neuromodulators, serotonin and neurotensin, were found to control opposing emotional responses…
The Psychology Behind Why Some People Give More Than Others
Summary: A new analysis of over 90,000 participants shows that personality traits influence how people engage in volunteering and charitable giving. Researchers found that extraverts are more likely to volunteer,…
Practicing Gratitude Builds Resilience and Hope
Summary: While gratitude has been praised for its mental health and relationship benefits, cultivating it during stressful times can be especially challenging. Negative information naturally grabs our attention more than…
How Oxytocin Tames “Mean Girl” Behavior
Summary: A new study finds that in some lemur species, evolving gender equality is linked to changes in the brain’s oxytocin system. Researchers compared seven closely related species, finding that…
