Summary
Neuroscience of Social Behavior and Emotional Disorders
(NSBED)
UU
Inhoudsopgave
Chapter 1 Introduction to social neuroscience.................................................2
Lecture 1....................................................................................................... 4
Physiological methods (clip)...........................................................................5
MRI (clip)....................................................................................................... 6
Lecture 2....................................................................................................... 7
Chapter 3 Evolutionary origins of social intelligence and culture......................8
Chapter 4 Emotion and motivation..................................................................9
Chapter 5 Reading faces and bodies..............................................................17
Chapter 6 Understanding others...................................................................22
Chapter 7 Interacting with others.................................................................25
Chapter 8 Relationships................................................................................28
Lecture 9 Love............................................................................................. 32
Chapter 9 Groups and identity......................................................................33
Chapter 10 Morality and antisocial behavior..................................................38
,Chapter 1 Introduction to social neuroscience
Hyperscanning = the simultaneous recording from two or more different brains (MRI).
Social interaction: different regions in different brains van have mutual influence over each
other. Not a physical flow, but by our ability to interpret, perceive and act on the social
behavior of others.
Social psychology = an attempt to understand and explain how thoughts, feelings and
behaviors of individuals are influenced by the actual, imagined or implied presence of others.
- Social neuroscience adds the use of neural mechanisms. Subdiscipline.
- Cognitive psychology = the study of mental processes such as thinking, perceiving,
speaking, acting and planning. Decompose complex social behavior into simpler
mechanisms.
The social brain
- Modularity = the notion that certain cognitive processes (or regions of the brain) are
restricted in the type of information they process, and the type of processing carried
out.
- Domain specificity = the idea that a cognitive process (or brain region) is specialized
for processing only one particular kind of information.
= a module is a specific routine that responses to specific input and is highly specialized in
what it does, domain specificity means that the module only processes one kind of input.
Cultural neuroscience = an interdisciplinary field bridging cultural psychology, neurosciences
and neurogenetics.
- How neurobiological processes give rise to cultural values, practices, and beliefs, as
well as how culture shapes neurobiological processes.
Gene-culture co-evolution = culture can influence gene frequencies in a population, and genes
have an impact on cultural evolution via psychological predispositions.
- Cultural and genetic selection
- Results in a good fit between a genotype and a cultural practice.
- Genes linked to increased social sensitivity are more prevalent in collectivist cultures.
- Genes and culture are co-evolved.
Example questions:
- Is the social brain highly modular?
Modularity in cognitive neuroscience suggests that certain functions or processes are localized
to specific brain regions, operating somewhat independently. Whether the social brain is
highly modular has been debated. Some neuroscientific theories propose that the brain’s social
functions are spread across a large, interconnected network of regions rather than localized in
individual modules.
The social brain is not highly modular in the traditional sense of isolated, independent brain
regions dedicated to specific social functions. Instead, social cognition relies on a highly
integrated and flexible network, where certain regions may specialize in particular tasks, but
the overall system operates through dynamic interactions across multiple areas of the brain.
,While some aspects, like facial recognition or emotion processing, may display modular-like
properties, the social brain functions more as a coordinated network than as a set of
independent modules.
- How can neuroscience and social psychology inform each other?
The integration of neuroscience and social psychology holds immense potential for advancing
our understanding of human behavior. Neuroscience can offer insights into the biological
mechanisms behind social behaviors, providing a concrete basis for abstract psychological
theories. Conversely, social psychology provides rich, context-specific theories that can
inform neuroscientific research by offering hypotheses about how brain activity relates to
real-world social interactions. Together, they offer a more comprehensive picture of the
human experience—bridging the gap between the brain and behavior in the social world.
- Is cultural neuroscience likely to be a promising way of unpacking the complexities of
culture?
Yes, cultural neuroscience is a promising approach to unpack the complexities of culture. It
bridges neuroscience and cultural psychology, exploring how culture shapes brain function
and, conversely, how brain mechanisms influence cultural behavior. By studying the neural
basis of cultural differences in cognition, emotion, and behavior, cultural neuroscience helps
explain how diverse cultural environments affect brain development and functioning. It
provides insights into the interplay between biology and culture, offering a more nuanced
understanding of human diversity and social practices across cultures. This interdisciplinary
approach can deepen our understanding of both universal and culturally specific aspects of
human behavior.
, Lecture 1
Triune brain model (MacLean, 1949/90)
= According to this model the human brain is an accumulation of brain regions that can be
roughly divided in three phylogenetic stages:
- The reptilian brain (sub-cortex): Action-reaction machinery (fight or flight)
- The mammalian brain (limbic system): Emotionality: Behavioral flexibility
- The primate brain (neo-cortex) Rationality: Behavioral control
Each ‘newer’ layer supports more complex functions and exerts some sort of control over the
‘older’ layer(s)
Some of our behavior is thus still driven by similar brain mechanisms as our phylogenetic
predecessors
Depending on the situation we are able to control these mechanisms (to a certain extent),
flexible and adapted to each situation
The primate brain (nonmodular, layered organization): no discreet structures/funtions. A lot of
functions in the same area. But, mirror neurons (= in the cortex, fi motor, that respond to
doing behavior or seeing behavior. Intention and goals of someone else. Observational
learning) (Rizzolatti et al, 1990s),
The mammalian brain (module-like): amygdala/insula – fear/disgust (see Lecture-2)
motivation / happiness. Nmot fully modular, amygdala also has other functions then fear
The reptilian brain (quite modular): Small nuclei with distinct (non)social roles
(periaqueductal gray, locus coeruleus, etc.)
Mirror neurons = Neurons that respond to both selfbehavior and other-behavior (e.g. during
intentional actions)
- Thought to serve observational learning
- There may be comparable systems for emotion and sensation (e.g. pain) as well as
action
- Not tightly localized to one region
- The book: Module-like solution to the non-modular social brain?
Neuroscience of Social Behavior and Emotional Disorders
(NSBED)
UU
Inhoudsopgave
Chapter 1 Introduction to social neuroscience.................................................2
Lecture 1....................................................................................................... 4
Physiological methods (clip)...........................................................................5
MRI (clip)....................................................................................................... 6
Lecture 2....................................................................................................... 7
Chapter 3 Evolutionary origins of social intelligence and culture......................8
Chapter 4 Emotion and motivation..................................................................9
Chapter 5 Reading faces and bodies..............................................................17
Chapter 6 Understanding others...................................................................22
Chapter 7 Interacting with others.................................................................25
Chapter 8 Relationships................................................................................28
Lecture 9 Love............................................................................................. 32
Chapter 9 Groups and identity......................................................................33
Chapter 10 Morality and antisocial behavior..................................................38
,Chapter 1 Introduction to social neuroscience
Hyperscanning = the simultaneous recording from two or more different brains (MRI).
Social interaction: different regions in different brains van have mutual influence over each
other. Not a physical flow, but by our ability to interpret, perceive and act on the social
behavior of others.
Social psychology = an attempt to understand and explain how thoughts, feelings and
behaviors of individuals are influenced by the actual, imagined or implied presence of others.
- Social neuroscience adds the use of neural mechanisms. Subdiscipline.
- Cognitive psychology = the study of mental processes such as thinking, perceiving,
speaking, acting and planning. Decompose complex social behavior into simpler
mechanisms.
The social brain
- Modularity = the notion that certain cognitive processes (or regions of the brain) are
restricted in the type of information they process, and the type of processing carried
out.
- Domain specificity = the idea that a cognitive process (or brain region) is specialized
for processing only one particular kind of information.
= a module is a specific routine that responses to specific input and is highly specialized in
what it does, domain specificity means that the module only processes one kind of input.
Cultural neuroscience = an interdisciplinary field bridging cultural psychology, neurosciences
and neurogenetics.
- How neurobiological processes give rise to cultural values, practices, and beliefs, as
well as how culture shapes neurobiological processes.
Gene-culture co-evolution = culture can influence gene frequencies in a population, and genes
have an impact on cultural evolution via psychological predispositions.
- Cultural and genetic selection
- Results in a good fit between a genotype and a cultural practice.
- Genes linked to increased social sensitivity are more prevalent in collectivist cultures.
- Genes and culture are co-evolved.
Example questions:
- Is the social brain highly modular?
Modularity in cognitive neuroscience suggests that certain functions or processes are localized
to specific brain regions, operating somewhat independently. Whether the social brain is
highly modular has been debated. Some neuroscientific theories propose that the brain’s social
functions are spread across a large, interconnected network of regions rather than localized in
individual modules.
The social brain is not highly modular in the traditional sense of isolated, independent brain
regions dedicated to specific social functions. Instead, social cognition relies on a highly
integrated and flexible network, where certain regions may specialize in particular tasks, but
the overall system operates through dynamic interactions across multiple areas of the brain.
,While some aspects, like facial recognition or emotion processing, may display modular-like
properties, the social brain functions more as a coordinated network than as a set of
independent modules.
- How can neuroscience and social psychology inform each other?
The integration of neuroscience and social psychology holds immense potential for advancing
our understanding of human behavior. Neuroscience can offer insights into the biological
mechanisms behind social behaviors, providing a concrete basis for abstract psychological
theories. Conversely, social psychology provides rich, context-specific theories that can
inform neuroscientific research by offering hypotheses about how brain activity relates to
real-world social interactions. Together, they offer a more comprehensive picture of the
human experience—bridging the gap between the brain and behavior in the social world.
- Is cultural neuroscience likely to be a promising way of unpacking the complexities of
culture?
Yes, cultural neuroscience is a promising approach to unpack the complexities of culture. It
bridges neuroscience and cultural psychology, exploring how culture shapes brain function
and, conversely, how brain mechanisms influence cultural behavior. By studying the neural
basis of cultural differences in cognition, emotion, and behavior, cultural neuroscience helps
explain how diverse cultural environments affect brain development and functioning. It
provides insights into the interplay between biology and culture, offering a more nuanced
understanding of human diversity and social practices across cultures. This interdisciplinary
approach can deepen our understanding of both universal and culturally specific aspects of
human behavior.
, Lecture 1
Triune brain model (MacLean, 1949/90)
= According to this model the human brain is an accumulation of brain regions that can be
roughly divided in three phylogenetic stages:
- The reptilian brain (sub-cortex): Action-reaction machinery (fight or flight)
- The mammalian brain (limbic system): Emotionality: Behavioral flexibility
- The primate brain (neo-cortex) Rationality: Behavioral control
Each ‘newer’ layer supports more complex functions and exerts some sort of control over the
‘older’ layer(s)
Some of our behavior is thus still driven by similar brain mechanisms as our phylogenetic
predecessors
Depending on the situation we are able to control these mechanisms (to a certain extent),
flexible and adapted to each situation
The primate brain (nonmodular, layered organization): no discreet structures/funtions. A lot of
functions in the same area. But, mirror neurons (= in the cortex, fi motor, that respond to
doing behavior or seeing behavior. Intention and goals of someone else. Observational
learning) (Rizzolatti et al, 1990s),
The mammalian brain (module-like): amygdala/insula – fear/disgust (see Lecture-2)
motivation / happiness. Nmot fully modular, amygdala also has other functions then fear
The reptilian brain (quite modular): Small nuclei with distinct (non)social roles
(periaqueductal gray, locus coeruleus, etc.)
Mirror neurons = Neurons that respond to both selfbehavior and other-behavior (e.g. during
intentional actions)
- Thought to serve observational learning
- There may be comparable systems for emotion and sensation (e.g. pain) as well as
action
- Not tightly localized to one region
- The book: Module-like solution to the non-modular social brain?
