A textbook that lays down the foundational principles for
understanding social neuroscience
Humans, like many other animals, are a highly social species. But how do
our biological systems implement social behaviors, and how do these
processes shape the brain and biology? Spanning multiple disciplines,
Introduction to Social Neuroscience seeks to engage students and
scholars alike in exploring the effects of the brain's perceived
connections with others. This wide-ranging textbook provides a
quintessential foundation for comprehending the psychological, neural,
hormonal, cellular, and genomic mechanisms underlying such varied social
processes as loneliness, empathy, theory-of-mind, trust, and
cooperation.
Stephanie and John Cacioppo posit that our brain is our main social
organ. They show how the same objective relationship can be perceived as
friendly or threatening depending on the mental states of the
individuals involved in that relationship. They present exercises and
evidence-based findings readers can put into practice to better
understand the neural roots of the social brain and the cognitive and
health implications of a dysfunctional social brain. This textbook's
distinctive features include the integration of human and animal
studies, clinical cases from medicine, multilevel analyses of topics
from genes to societies, and a variety of methodologies.
Unveiling new facets to the study of the social brain's anatomy and
function, Introduction to Social Neuroscience widens the scientific
lens on human interaction in society.
- The first textbook on social neuroscience intended for advanced
undergraduates and graduate students
- Chapters address the psychological, neural, hormonal, cellular, and
genomic mechanisms underlying the brain's perceived connections with
others
- Materials integrate human and animal studies, clinical cases,
multilevel analyses, and multiple disciplines
