Social Neuroscience Review Flashcards

This set of flashcards covers key terms and concepts from the Social Neuroscience lectures. Each flashcard includes a term and its corresponding definition to aid in studying for the exam.

Social Neuroscience

The study of how social behavior influences brain function and structure.

Brain regions involved in behavior

Specific areas of the brain that govern particular behaviors and functions.

Postmortem brain tissue study

Research involving the examination of brain tissue after death to understand structure and function.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

A non-invasive imaging technique that provides high spatial resolution of brain structures.

fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

A method that measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood oxygenation.

EEG (Electroencephalography)

A technique that records electrical activity in the brain using electrodes placed on the scalp.

ERP (Event-Related Potentials)

Electrical potentials in the brain that are the direct result of a specific sensory, cognitive, or motor event.

Electrophysiology

The study of the electrical properties of biological cells and tissues.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

A non-invasive method to stimulate small regions of the brain.

Optogenetics

A technique that uses light to control neurons that have been genetically modified to express light-sensitive ion channels.

Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC)

A brain region involved in decision-making and emotional regulation.

Temporoparietal Junction (TPJ)

A region associated with social cognition and theory of mind.

Medial Prefrontal Cortex (mPFC)

A brain area crucial for complex cognitive behaviors and social interactions.

Limbic System

A collection of brain structures involved in emotional regulation and memory.

Amygdala

A key brain region in the limbic system that processes emotions, especially fear.

Thalamus

A brain structure that acts as a relay station for sensory information.

Hypothalamus

A brain region that regulates various functions, including hormonal activity and autonomic responses.

Basal Ganglia

A group of nuclei involved in controlling movement and reward processing.

Social Behavior Network

The interconnected brain regions involved in social processing.

Peer-to-peer relationships

Interactions and relationships between individuals of similar age or status.

Joint Attention

Sharing attention with another person toward an object or event.

Theory of Mind

The ability to understand others' mental states, including beliefs, desires, and intentions.

Neurochemical Measures

Assessment of brain chemistry and neurotransmitter levels.

Oxytocin

A hormone that plays a role in social bonding and attachment.

Vasopressin

A hormone that influences social behavior and attachment in some species.

Maternal Behavior

Behaviors exhibited by mothers to care and nurture their offspring.

Altruism

Selfless concern for the welfare of others.

Cognitive Development

The development of thought processes, including perception, reasoning, and problem-solving.

Social Communication

The ways in which individuals convey information and express emotions within a social context.

Neuroanatomy

The study of the structure of the nervous system, including the brain.

Neural Connectivity

The pattern of connections between neurons and brain regions.

Developmental Differences

Variations in brain structure and function that occur at different stages of development.

Emotional Regulation

The ability to control and manage emotions.

Social Exclusion

The feeling of being isolated or left out from a group.

Aggression

Behavior that causes harm or intends to cause harm to others.

Face Recognition

The cognitive process of identifying and remembering faces.

Emotional Perception

The ability to interpret and give meaning to emotional signals from others.

Imitation

The act of mimicking the behavior of others, often used as a learning mechanism.

Social Learning

Learning that occurs through observing the behaviors of others.

Attachment Theory

A psychological model that describes the dynamics of long-term interpersonal relationships.

Developmental Psychopathology

The study of the development of psychological disorders across the lifespan.

Facial Expressions

Visible emotional signals conveyed through facial movements.

Parent-Child Bond

The emotional connection established between a parent and child.

Peer Bonding

The formation of strong emotional ties and relationships between peers.

Oxytocin's Role in Parenting

Oxytocin influences bonding and nurturing behaviors in caregivers.

Stress Response

The body's physiological reaction to perceived threats or challenges.

Epigenetics

The study of changes in gene expression that do not involve changes to the underlying DNA sequence.

Social Rewards

Positive reinforcement derived from social interactions.

HPA Axis

The hormonal system that controls stress responses by regulating the release of cortisol.

Maltreatment Effects

The impact of abusive or neglectful experiences on child development.

Neurobiological Indicators

Biological markers that signal states of mental and emotional health.

Psychopathy

A personality disorder characterized by persistent antisocial behavior, impaired empathy, and remorse.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

A neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulty in social interaction and communication.

Facial Recognition Systems

Neural mechanisms involved in recognizing and remembering faces.

Social Perception

The process of understanding and interpreting the behavior of others.

Implicit Bias

Attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions unconsciously.

Explicit Social Behavior

Conscious and deliberate actions taken in social contexts.

Neurodevelopmental Disorders

A group of disorders that result from impaired development of the brain and central nervous system.

Social Cognitive Theory

A theoretical perspective that emphasizes the role of observation and modeling in learning.

Behavioral Economics

The study of how psychological factors affect economic decision-making.

Attachment Systems

Biological systems that facilitate bonding between individuals.

Oxytocin and Trust

Oxytocin is linked to increased trust and social bonding.

Reward System Activation

The process by which the brain's reward centers are stimulated.

Somatic Marker Hypothesis

The idea that emotional processes guide behavior and decision-making.

Dopaminergic Pathways

Neural pathways that transmit dopamine, influencing reward and pleasure.

Social Decision Making

The cognitive process involved in making decisions that affect social interactions.

The Ultimatum Game

A game in economic experiments where two players decide how to divide a sum of money.

Social Neuroscience Methods

Techniques used to study the neural mechanisms underlying social behaviors.

Interpersonal Trust

The reliance on the actions of others, based on expectations of their behavior.

Empathy Mechanisms

Neural and psychological processes through which individuals understand and share the feelings of others.

Cortisol and Stress

Cortisol is a hormone released in response to stress, influencing numerous body functions.

Neurodevelopmental Trajectories

The patterns of brain development over time that influence behavior and cognition.

Face Processing Areas

Specific regions of the brain responsible for recognizing and interpreting facial features.

Subcortical and Cortical Networks

Interconnected brain regions involved in emotional processing and social cognition.

Neural Integration

The process by which different brain areas communicate and coordinate functions.

Cultural Influences

The impact of cultural context on behavioral norms and social interactions.

Longitudinal Studies

Research that follows the same subjects over a period of time.

Social Isolation

A state where an individual has limited or no social contacts.

Self-Reflection and Self-Regulation

The ability to think about one’s own thoughts and control one’s own behavior.

Prefrontal Cortex

A brain region associated with complex cognitive behavior and decision-making.

Neural Plasticity

The brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections.

Neuroeconomics

The study of how economic decision-making is affected by neural and psychological processes.

Emotional and Behavioral Regulation

The processes used to manage emotional responses and behavior.

Behavioral Interventions

Treatments designed to change specific behaviors, often using principles of behavioral psychology.

Mental Health Indicators

Signs and symptoms used to assess psychological well-being.

Imitative Behavior across Species

The occurrence of imitation in both humans and animals as a learning mechanism.

Biological Influences on Behavior

Genetic and physiological factors that impact behavioral outcomes.

Behavioral Therapies

Psychological treatments that aim to change maladaptive behaviors.

Fusiform Face Area

A part of the brain specialized for face recognition.

Cognitive Flexibility

The ability to adapt cognitive processing strategies to face new and unexpected conditions.

Attachment and Parenting Styles

Different approaches to parenting that influence child development and attachment.

Chronic Stress Impacts

Long-term psychological stress that can cause negative health effects.

Neurobiological Effects of Trauma

Changes in brain function and structure resulting from traumatic experiences.

Oxytocin and Bonding

The hormone oxytocin's role in promoting attachment and affectionate behaviors.

Developmental Psychology

The scientific study of how and why human beings change over the course of their life.

Social Bonds in Animals

The relationships formed between animals for companionship and cooperation.

Brain-Mapping Techniques

Methods used to visualize and understand the brain's structure and functions.

Psychophysiological Measures

Assessments that link psychological states with physiological responses.

Dual Processing Theory

The concept that two different systems for processing information exist within the brain.

Regulatory Systems

Biological mechanisms that help maintain homeostasis.