FIC ISU Part 1.5 — Social Neuroscience

Amygdala

It is involved in detecting relevant stimuli in our environment and has been implicated in emotional responses.

Automatic process

When a thought, feeling, or behavior occurs with little or no mental effort.

Cortisol

A hormone made by the adrenal glands, within the cortex. It increases when the body is under stress.

Electroencephalogram

A measure of electrical activity generated by the brain’s neurons.

Fight or flight response

The physiological response that occurs in response to a perceived threat, preparing the body for actions needed to deal with the threat.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging

A measure of changes in the oxygenation of blood flow as areas in the brain become active.

Functional neuroanatomy

Classifying how regions within the nervous system relate to psychology and behavior.

Hormones

Chemicals released by cells in the brain or body that affect cells in other parts of the brain or body.

Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis

This system helps maintain homeostasis (keeping the body’s systems within normal ranges) by regulating digestion, immune function, mood, temperature, and energy use. Through this, the system regulates the body’s response to stress and injury.

Ingroup

A social group to which an individual identifies or belongs.

Lesions

Damage or tissue abnormality due, for example, to an injury, surgery, or a vascular problem.

Medial prefrontal cortex

An area of the brain located in the middle of the frontal lobes (at the front of the head), active when people mentalize about the self and others.

Mentalizing

The act of representing the mental states of oneself and others.

Neuroendocrinology

The study of how the brain and hormones act in concert to coordinate the physiology of the body.

Outgroup

A social group to which an individual does not identify or belong.

Simulation

Imaginary or real imitation of other people’s behavior or feelings.

Social categorization

The act of mentally classifying someone into a social group

Social support

A subjective feeling of psychological or physical comfort provided by family, friends, and others.

Stereotypes

The beliefs or attributes we associate with a specific social group.

Stress

A threat or challenge to our well-being.

Superior temporal sulcus

Located in the temporal lobes (parallel to the ears), it is involved in perception of biological motion or the movement of animate objects.

Sympathetic nervous system

A branch of the autonomic nervous system that controls many of the body’s internal organs. Its activity generally mobilizes the body’s fight or flight response.

Temporal parietal junction

This area is important in mentalizing and distinguishing between the self and others.