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…
Tag: social neuroscience
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…
Infant Social Skills Thrive Despite Hardship
Summary: A large international study finds that babies living in insecure conditions, including as refugees, display key social skills on par with children raised in more stable environments. Using eye-tracking…
Neural Fingerprints Predict Team Flow in Social Interactions
Summary: Researchers have developed a novel algorithm that maps each person’s brain activity into a unique “neural fingerprint,” revealing stable, long-term neural traits. These fingerprints help predict whether individuals will…
Stronger Bonds Before Birth Shape Healthier Mother-Child Futures
Sumary: A new study reveals that young mothers who feel emotionally connected to their unborn babies are more likely to form healthy, positive relationships with their children later. Researchers tracked…
Eating Seafood Linked to Kinder, More Socially Skilled Young Children
Summary: Children who regularly eat seafood at age 7 exhibit more positive social behaviors—such as sharing, helping, and interacting kindly—by ages 7 and 9, compared to those who rarely consume…
How Large Social Circles Foster Trust
Summary: A new study challenges the belief that larger groups reduce cooperation, showing instead that flexible social connections enhance teamwork. Researchers found that in a prisoner’s dilemma game, participants in…
Do Accents Influence Guilt Perceptions?
Summary: Accents influence perceptions of guilt, with those judged as “lower status” being considered more likely to commit crimes. Researchers analyzed responses from 180 participants who rated voices from 10…
