The Social and Emotional Brain

2 theories of how we infer the emotions of others

• Simulation Theory

• Theory of Mind (ToM)

Simulation theory description (1)

We understand others by vicariously reproducing their inner states within ourself

Research evidence for simulation theory (1)

Viewing happy faces triggers the zygomatic major muscle, while angry faces trigger the corrugator supercilii

Research evidence for simulation theory elaborated (1)

Facial Feedback Hypothesis: blocking mimicry (e.g., biting a pen or using Botox) impairs recognition of specific emotions

Evidence empathy provides for simulation theory (1)

Observing a loved one experience pain activates same regions of the insula and anterior cingulate cortex as experiencing one’s own pain

Clinical evidence for simulation theory (1→2)

Patients with Moebius Syndrome (facial palsy) are

• Less efficient at extracting emotion from faces and

• may show reduced amygdala engagement

Why does Theory of Mind come in?

Simulation is often insufficient to experience the extent of ‘mind-reading' we do, especially when a person’s belief is different to one’s own

Theory of Mind def

Cognitive ability to understand that other people have beliefs, desires, intentions, and perspectives that are different from one's own

Core networks active during ToM tasks (3)

• Temporal Poles

• Medial Prefrontal Cortex (mPFC)

• Posterior Temporo-Parietal Junction (TPJ)

What are temporal poles involved in?

Social contexts + schema

What is the Medial Prefrontal Cortex (mPFC) involved in? Example?

Binding social information together (e.g. thinking about the self in relation to others)

What is the Posterior Temporo-Parietal Junction (TPJ) involved in? Example?

Processing socially relevant info

• E.g. reading eyes, comprehending/mentalising others’ beliefs

Broad note on emotion + cognition (1)

Seem to be more entangled than we once may have thought