Summary: Increasing knowledge can lead to negative outcomes when individuals use it for self-interest rather than collective good. Researchers argue that enhanced knowledge can reduce cooperation among rational individuals, potentially…
Tag: social neuroscience
Social Drinking Activates Dopamine and Elevates Mood
Summary: New research reveals why alcohol makes people feel happier in social settings but not when drinking alone. Using fruit flies, scientists discovered that dopamine in the brain plays a…
Study Finds Americans Have More Friends Than Previously Thought
Summary: American adults typically have more friends than recent surveys suggest, with fewer reporting no friends at all. The survey found that an average American adult has four to five…
Study Finds Faces Evolve to Match Names Over Time
Summary: A new study reveals that a person’s face tends to evolve to suit their name, demonstrating the profound impact of social expectations. The research showed that adults’ faces could…
Study Shows Narcissism Declines with Age
Summary: A study reveals that narcissism decreases from childhood to older adulthood, though individual differences remain stable over time. People who are more narcissistic as children tend to stay that…
Loneliness Worse for Memory Than Social Isolation
Summary: A new study finds that loneliness impacts memory more negatively than social isolation among older adults. Those who are both socially isolated and lonely experience the greatest memory decline,…
Personality Politics: What Makes a Successful Politician?
Summary: A new study identifies humor, charm, and courage as crucial traits for successful politicians. Researchers found that aspiring politicians embark on challenging careers driven by a mix of ambition,…
Handedness and Vision May Reveal Hidden Social Strengths
Summary: A new study shows that human biases in handedness and visual field processing have social and cognitive implications. Researchers found that people with a reversed bias (left hand, right…
How Music Synchronizes Heart Rates and Collective Emotions
Summary: Listening to music synchronizes heart rates within individuals more reliably than between different people. This synchronization depends on physiological responses rather than mood or music preferences. The findings help…
First Neandertal with Down Syndrome: Evidence of Altruistic Care in Prehistory
Summary: A new study documents the first case of Down syndrome in a Neandertal child named “Tina,” found in Spain. Despite severe hearing loss and vertigo, Tina survived to at…
