For this episode, special guest Nancy Padilla (E5: Neural Oscillations) returns to talk about a topic she now studies: social neuroscience. We get into the methods this rather new field uses to probe the neural processes behind social interaction, including the inherent difficulties in studying such a complex subject. We go from special pathways for bottom-up social processing such as smells and facial recognition to ideas about theory of mind and cooperation. In the process, we hit on the mirror neuron system, simultaneous dual-brain recordings, and the role of philosophy in the field. Two common questions throughout are: (1) are humans unique amongst animals? and (2) is social processing unique amongst neuroscience topics? Ultimately, we try to discover if social neuroscience is greater than the sum of its parts.

We read:
Conceptual Challenges and Directions for Social Neuroscience

Brain Basis of Human Social Interaction: From Concepts to Brain Imaging

Brain-to-Brain coupling: A mechanism for creating and sharing a social world

And mentioned:
Episode 10: Brain Size

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