Social Cognition Neuroscience)

Theory Theory

You use what you already know about someone to build a "rulebook" for how they act

Simulation Theory

You imagine yourself in their shoes to feel what they are feeling

Medial Prefrontal Cortex (mPFC)

The "hub" for thinking about yourself and others.

Superior Temporal Sulcus (STS)

Processes dynamic social cues like eye gaze, posture, and facial expressions

Temporoparietal Junction (rTPJ)

This part is like a "belief-detector"—it helps you realize someone else might believe something different than you do

Insula & ACC

These parts light up when you feel someone else’s pain (empathy)

Positive Bias

Most people hold unrealistically positive views of themselves. The ventral anterior cingulate cortex (vACC) is linked to this positive self-bias

The Self-Referential Effect

People remember information better when it relates to themselves

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Often associated with reduced activity in the ToM network (mPFC, rTPJ) and differences in long-range brain connectivity

Orbitofrontal Cortex (OFC) Damage

Leads to poor social insight. Patients may act inappropriately but only feel embarrassment later when watching their behavior on video

Ultimatum Game

Shows that humans often punish unfairness even at a personal cost. This triggers activity in the insula (negative emotion) and dlPFC (cognitive control)

The Mirror Neuron SystemThe Mirror Neuron System

mirror neurons fire both when an individual performs an action and when they observe someone else performing that same action

Late Childhood (6+ years)

Children learn to appreciate non-literal language and can eventually track multiple, complex mental states simultaneously.

Infancy (0-12 months)

Newborns can mimic facial expressions. By 6 months, infants distinguish intentional from accidental actions, and by 12 months, they show sensitivity to others' goals.