Summary: Volunteering can significantly improve cognitive function in older adults, suggests new research. The study, which included a diverse group of 2,476 seniors, linked volunteering activities to better executive function…
Tag: social neuroscience
AI System Detects Social Norm Violations
Summary: A pioneering AI system successfully identifies violations of social norms. Utilizing GPT-3, zero-shot text classification, and automatic rule discovery, the system categorizes social emotions into ten main types. It…
Culture and Geography Significantly Influence Sleep Patterns
Summary: A new study reveals that culture and geography significantly influence sleep patterns. Using data from Nokia smartwatches, the researchers analyzed 52 million logs over four years from 30,082 individuals…
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…
Sense of Purpose May Shield Against Loneliness
Summary: A sense of purpose in life, irrespective of its nature, can be a robust defense against loneliness. A new study, involving over 2,300 Swiss adults, found fewer instances of…
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…
Adolescent Stress Shapes Motherly Behavior
Summary: Stress during adolescence alters brain functions, influencing postpartum social behavior in mammals. The research utilizes optogenetics and calcium imaging techniques to understand neuronal communication in mice that experienced psychosocial…
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…
The Power of Friendship Counters Early Life Stress
Summary: A new study, based on 36 years of data from nearly 200 baboons, indicates that strong social bonds formed in adulthood can counteract the negative effects of adversity experienced…
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…
