Work

Social neuroscience: challenges and opportunities in the study of complex behavior

Year: 2011

Type: review

Abstract: Social species are so characterized because they form organizations that extend beyond the individual. The goal of social neuroscience is to investigate the biological mechanisms that underlie these social structures, processes, and behavior and the influences between social and neural structures and processes. Such an endeavor is challenging because it necessitates the integration of multiple levels. Mapping across systems and levels (from genome to social groups and cultures) requires interdisciplinary expertise, comparative studies, innovative methods, and integrative conceptual analysis. Examples of how social neuroscience is contributing to our understanding of the functions of the brain and nervous system are described, and societal implications of social neuroscience are considered.

Source: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2010.05858.x

Authors: John T. Cacioppo, Jean Decety

Institution: University of Chicago

Language: English

Topic: Primate Behavior and Ecology

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Aging

Awards: G4269275524, The Integrative Social Relations, Health and Aging Project