Over 40 years ago, Henry Jerison identified a key difference between primates and all other vertebrates: primates have unusually large brains for their body size (Dunbar 2009). Initially, it was assumed that the evolution of large brains in primates was guided by ecological problems, such as foraging and other acts of survival. Today, the widely accepted theory is that there is a link between social complexity and brain expansion, and large brains in primates evolved as a means to manage their complex social lives - this explanation is known as the “social brain hypothesis.” The purpose of this paper is to not only examine the mechanisms underlying the social brain, but to also explore how it relates to the development of psychiatric and neurological …show more content…
According to Brothers, “the social brain” can be described as “the higher cognitive and affective systems in the brain that evolved as a result of increasingly complex social selective pressures,” and it is these systems that underlie our ability to function as highly social animals and provide the substrate for intact social cognition, social behavior and affective responsiveness (Brothers 1990, Burns 2006). In other words, the evolution of a larger brain in primates has led to a number of relative behavioral specializations, the most important for our case being social cognition; it is these specializations that allow us to meaningfully evaluate a complex situation and interact with other …show more content…
Although all four structures work in concert with one another, each is observed to have a distinct function. Specifically, the amygdala is thought to be responsible for recognizing other’s emotional states; the STC analyzes body movements in order to predict the actions, or intentions, of others; the OFC is involved in social reinforcement; and the FFG plays a role in face detection (Pelphrey, Shultz, Hudac & Vander 2011). Support for this model can be found in numerous studies. For example, in an fMRI study of facial identity and expression, it was found that the amygdala was activated to various degrees when subjects were shown different emotional expressions (Gläscher, Gläscher, Weiller & Büchel 2004). In another fMRI study, the STS was activated when subjects observed humans moving, but not while inanimate objects moved (Pelphrey, Shultz, Hudac & Vander 2011). Furthermore, evidence for the OFC as an important structure for reward was seen when monkeys worked for electrical stimulation of this region when they were hungry, but not if they were satiated (Rolls 2000). Finally, the FFG, which contains a region called the fusiform face area (FFA), was shown to be
Gamer, M., Schmitz, A. K., Tittgemeyer, M., & Schilbach, L. (2013). The human amygdala drives reflexive orienting towards facial features. Current Biology, 23(20), R917-R918. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2013.09.008
Theoretical perspectives in the study of human behavior can easily be applied to cases in social work practice. The mental health field in particular lends itself to the application of different human behavior theories. Specifically, depression can be viewed through the lens of Social Cognitive Theory, or Social Cognitive Learning. There is one case of a woman with depression, whose name will be changed, that social cognitive theory can be applied to. Cheryl is a 58 year old woman who has been diagnosed with Major depressive disorder. She has had this diagnosis since she was 17 years old. Many of her symptoms and experiences can be viewed or explained in terms of social cognitive theory.
Schulte-Rüther, M., Markowitsch, H. J., Shah, N. J., Fink, G. R., & Piefke, M. (2008). Gender differences in brain networks supporting empathy. Neuroimage, 42(1), 393-403.
Premack, D. (2007). Foundation of morality in the infant. Social brain matters: Stances on the neurobiology of social cognition, 190, 161-167.
This article, titled Common Ground, written by Barbara Smuts, points out the main differences between humans and apes, such as our upright stance, large brains, and capacity for spoken language and abstract reasoning. However, the main point of this article is to emphasize the many similarities that apes share with us. Smuts goes into great detail about how human social and emotional tendencies are very reflective in the family of apes.
Many scientists have argued vehemently against mirror neurons both in their existence and their role in humans and monkeys. For example, an Oxford researcher argues that the mirror neuron system is not an evolutionary adaptation for action-understanding, but a byproduct of social interaction (Heyes, 2009). A neurophilosopher, Patricia Churchland, expresses concern over the role of the function of mirror neurons. She explains that intentions are more than individual neuron recordings. Intentions, she argues, are at a much more complex level of neural activity (Churchland, 2011). Taking into account the many doubts associated with the mirror neuron system, the importance of mirror neurons should not be overestimated and caution should be used. At the same, the mirror neuron research related to empathy, understanding intentions, and autism should not be overlooked.
...ng a theory of mind plays for an effective social life.’ (Smith and Stevens 2002). Theory of mind has also enabled numerous evolutionary psychologists to attempt to understand and analyse the social behaviour and interactions of other species on the planet, such as apes and chimpanzees, which in itself is surely the essence of the discipline.
B.M.de Waal, Tree of Origin: What Primate Behavior Can Tell Us about Human Social Evolution. Havard University Press: Massachusets, 2001.
Charlie Rose’s the “Social Behavior” provided some very interesting information about human and animal socialization and did answers some questions that it aimed to address. The video answered what is meant by the term the social brain and explained that human beings use our social behavior to build a culture, find a partner, and connect with our world, something that align with what I know about human socialization. Additionally, it emphasized that most of our social behavior is learned. However, I’m glad that it also touched on the importance genes play in social behavior which applies to the perspective of examining both nature and nurture in relation to behavior that I have been learning about.
My love for neuroscience began long before my passion for neuroscience research. My favorite aspect of psychology since my initial encounter in Advanced Placement Psychology in high school is the nervous system and brain function in relation to behavior. It is fascinating how something so small serves such an extremely important and vital role in our body and behavior. The intriguing details of the brain fuel my desire to learn more about its functions. After completing the Biological Basis of Behavior and Neural System Courses at the University of Maryland, my knowledge as well as curiosity for the brain heightened.
Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that starts in the cells of the breast. A malignant tumor is a group of cancer cells that can grow into (invade) surrounding tissues or spread (metastasize) to distant areas of the body. The disease occurs almost entirely in women, but men can get it, too (What is Breast Cancer, 2015). The purpose of this evaluation is to introduce the audience to breast cancer; discuss risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis; address the mind- body connection of breast cancer and suggestions for prevention and treatment; and provide an overview of breast cancer in social cognitive theory framework. Lastly, one alternative intervention for breast cancer will be highlighted in accordance with the social cognitive
Emotion is the “feeling” aspect of consciousness that includes physical, behavioral, and subjective (cognitive) elements. Emotion also contains three elements which are physical arousal, a certain behavior that can reveal outer feelings and inner feelings. One key part in the brain, the amygdala which is located within the limbic system on each side of the brain, plays a key role in emotional processing which causes emotions such as fear and pleasure to be involved with the human facial expressions.The common-sense theory of emotion states that an emotion is experienced first, leading to a physical reaction and then to a behavioral reaction.The James-Lange theory states that a stimulus creates a physiological response that then leads to the labeling of the emotion. The Cannon-Bard theory states that the physiological reaction and the emotion both use the thalamus to send sensory information to both the cortex of the brain and the organs of the sympathetic nervous system. The facial feedback hypothesis states that facial expressions provide feedback to the brain about the emotion being expressed on the face, increasing all the emotions. In Schachter and Singer’s cognitive arousal theory, also known as the two-factor theory, states both the physiological arousal and the actual arousal must occur before the emotion itself is experienced, based on cues from the environment. Lastly, in the cognitive-mediational theory
Everyday people use social cognition as a tool to help them thrive in social world. There are many important aspects of social cognition that are helpful to us in making decisions and help us to interpret the world around us. An important aspect that is linked to social cognition is that of thought suppression. Thought suppression is when a person tries to force particular thoughts, memories or feelings out of their minds that may be unpleasant or may cause a great deal of stress for the individual. Many people are unaware how often we use thought suppression in our daily lives, but the truth is we use it in almost every aspect of our day.
One recent headline in the news showed an extraordinary event on film. When a three-year-old boy fell into a gorilla enclosure at the zoo, and was knocked unconscious. A female Gorilla named Binti Jua picked up the boy, and cradled him in her arms as if he was her own. The gorilla then gently carried the boy over to the caretaker’s door and set him down. Did the gorilla feel empathy for the boy? By watching the film alone the gorilla seemed to show emotions for the boy, but without studying the animal neurobiologically scientists cannot understand how her emotions and cognitions were linked.
In fact not only is the human brain bigger than the closely related great apes but it is also organized in different fashion. The reorganization of the human brain was allowed by the constant growth of the brain becoming increasingly more apparent ~3.5-3.0 million years ago. Many of the functions that humans have that other great apes do not have were developed from the reorganization of the brain such as, increased visual comprehension, visual comprehension outside of the primary focus point of the pupil, the introduction of a secondary somatosensory cortex, better angular perception of special relations among objects, better facial recognition, better spatial reasoning skills, comprehension of language, increased motor control, (the ability to walk in a bipedal fashion) more advanced vocalization of languages, and a complex cognitive memory (allowing the experience of inhibition of impulse, foresight, etc.).