The Social Brain

How the brain processes social information and drives social behaviour

The human brain, plays a pivotal role in shaping our social interactions and behaviours. It orchestrates a symphony of neural networks, brain regions, hormones, and processes that work in unison to process social information and guide our responses in various social situations. Understanding how the brain operates in social contexts can provide valuable insights into human behaviour, social cognition, and emotional processing. In this blog, we will look into the intricate workings of the brain and explore how it processes social information.

3 Key Brain Regions in Social Information Processing

1. Prefrontal Cortex (PFC): The prefrontal cortex, located at the front of the brain, is crucial for social cognition and decision-making. It enables us to understand others' mental states, anticipate their intentions, and make judgments about their behaviour. The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is involved in executive functions, such as reasoning and problem-solving, while the ventromedial prefrontal cortex is essential for empathy and moral decision-making [1].

2. Amygdala: The amygdala, an almond-shaped structure deep within the brain, is strongly implicated in emotional processing and plays a vital role in social behaviour. It helps us recognize and interpret facial expressions, detect potential threats, and generate appropriate emotional responses. The amygdala's connections with other brain regions, such as the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, facilitate the integration of emotional information into social decision-making [2].

3. Mirror Neuron System (MNS): The mirror neuron system is a network of brain regions, including the inferior frontal gyrus and the superior temporal sulcus. It becomes active when we observe others' actions, allowing us to simulate and understand their intentions and emotions. The MNS is believed to underlie processes such as imitation, empathy, and the formation of social bonds, enabling us to resonate with others on a neural level [3].

3 Key Hormones Influencing Social Behaviour

1. Oxytocin: Often referred to as the "love hormone" oxytocin plays a crucial role in social bonding, trust, and attachment. It is released during positive social interactions, such as hugging, cuddling, or bonding with loved ones. Oxytocin promotes prosocial behaviours, enhances empathy, and fosters feelings of trust and cooperation [4].

2. Dopamine: Dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with reward and motivation, influences social behaviour by reinforcing pleasurable social interactions. It plays a role in the formation of social hierarchies, social recognition, and reinforcement learning. Dopamine reinforces behaviours that lead to social acceptance, increasing the likelihood of engaging in socially rewarding experiences [5].

3. Serotonin: Serotonin influences mood regulation and social behavior. Lower levels of serotonin have been associated with increased aggression and impulsivity [6].

Brain Processes in Social Situations

1. Emotional Perception: When encountering social stimuli, such as facial expressions, the brain rapidly processes emotional cues, primarily through the amygdala. This enables us to quickly assess whether someone is happy, sad, angry, or fearful, and primes us for an appropriate emotional response.

2. Theory of Mind: The brain's prefrontal cortex and associated regions play a pivotal role in Theory of Mind, the ability to attribute mental states, beliefs, and intentions to oneself and others. By understanding others' perspectives, we can anticipate their behavior and make inferences about their thoughts and feelings.

3. Empathy and Perspective-Taking: Empathy involves the ability to share and understand others' emotional states. The mirror neuron system and the prefrontal cortex contribute to empathy by allowing us to simulate others' experiences and perspectives. Perspective-taking, a related process, enables us to step into someone else's shoes and understand their viewpoint, promoting effective communication and cooperation.

4. Decision-Making and Reward Processing: Social decisions are influenced by reward processing and social norms. The brain's reward system, which includes the ventral striatum and the orbitofrontal cortex, evaluates the potential rewards and risks associated with social choices. Social norms, shaped by cultural and societal factors, guide our behavior and are reinforced through the brain's reward circuitry.

The Benefits of Being Social for Brain Health

Engaging in social interactions has numerous benefits for brain health, including:

1. Cognitive Stimulation: Social interactions challenge the brain, promoting cognitive flexibility, memory, and problem-solving abilities [7].

2. Emotional Well-being: Positive social interactions increase feelings of happiness, reduce stress, and mitigate the risk of mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety [8].

3. Neural Plasticity: Social engagement fosters neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to reorganize and form new connections, promoting overall brain health and resilience [9].

Being social not only enhances our cognitive abilities but also positively impacts our emotional well-being and brain health.

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Daniel Glassbrook, PhD

Daniel is a sports scientist and researcher, previously working as the first team sports scientist for the Newcastle Falcons Rugby Club, and a postdoctoral researcher in sports related concussion at Durham University.

References

1. Decety, J., & Lamm, C. (2007). The role of the right temporoparietal junction in social interaction: how low-level computational processes contribute to meta-cognition. The neuroscientist, 13(6), 580-593.

2. Adolphs, R. (2010). What does the amygdala contribute to social cognition?. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1191(1), 42-61.

3. Iacoboni, M. (2009). Imitation, empathy, and mirror neurons. Annual review of psychology, 60, 653-670.

4. Kosfeld, M., Heinrichs, M., Zak, P. J., Fischbacher, U., & Fehr, E. (2005). Oxytocin increases trust in humans. Nature, 435(7042), 673-676.

5. Steinberg, L. (2008). A social neuroscience perspective on adolescent risk-taking. Developmental review, 28(1), 78-106.

6. Coccaro, E. F. (1989). Central serotonin and impulsive aggression. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 155(S8), 52-62.

7. Fratiglioni, L., Paillard-Borg, S., & Winblad, B. (2004). An active and socially integrated lifestyle in late life might protect against dementia. The Lancet Neurology, 3(6), 343-353.

8. Uchino, B. N. (2006). Social support and health: a review of physiological processes potentially underlying links to disease outcomes. Journal of behavioral medicine, 29, 377-387.

9. Kramer, A. F., & Erickson, K. I. (2007). Capitalizing on cortical plasticity: influence of physical activity on cognition and brain function. Trends in cognitive sciences, 11(8), 342-348.