Our Social Brains

Why the neuroscience of social phenomena matters.

by Richard Lopez

The Big, Bad Outgroup

Many times when I tune into a major news channel, whether it be CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, or the like, I am constantly struck by a glaring psychological phenomenon as the talking heads spew invective at each other: constant attacks against a vaguely defined outgroup. Read More

"Inception" For the Win

I think the movie succeeds for two reasons. Firstly, by literally taking us into the characters' minds and dreams, it capitalizes on our ability to engage in social cognition, most broadly defined as how we think about and perceive others. Secondly (special effects and poignant bursts of brassy music aside), the film at its core has a profound human element in the broken but compelling character of Cobb. Read More

Empathy 101

How do I know that I know what I know - about you? This is clearly a question about epistemology, about knowledge. But it's a special kind of knowledge, about others. The ability to understand what another human being is thinking or feeling is most commonly known as empathy. The word empathy comes from the German einfühlung, which literally translates as "feeling into." Read More

Welcome to Your Social Brain

As human beings, our social interactions and connections are rich, complex, and packed with meaning. A burgeoning new field called social neuroscience is equipping psychologists with new tools and methods to unpack the mysteries of our social brains. Read More