Chapter 2 Flashcards
What is the primary focus of social neuroscience?
The primary focus of social neuroscience is to understand how biological processes, particularly those involving the brain, underlie social behaviours and social interactions
What does fMRI stand for and what does it measure?
fMRI stands for functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging. It measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow and oxygenation
What is the role of the amygdala in social neuroscience?
The amygdala is involved in processing emotions, particularly those related to fear and pleasure, and plays a crucial role in social and emotional responses
How does the prefrontal cortex contribute to social cognition?
The prefrontal cortex is involved in higher-level cognitive processes such as decision-making, social reasoning, and understanding others’ perspectives
What is Theory of Mind (ToM)?
Theory of Mind is the ability to attribute mental states—such as beliefs, intents, desires, and emotions—to oneself and others, and to understand that others have perspectives different from one’s own
What is the default mode network (DMN) and its significance in social neuroscience?
The DMN is a network of brain regions that is active when a person is at rest and not focused on the external environment. It is associated with self-referential thought and social cognition
What does ERP stand for and what does it measure?
ERP stands for Event-Related Potential. It measures electrical activity in the brain in response to specific sensory, cognitive, or motor events
What is the significance of the term “neuroplasticity” in social neuroscience?
Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to change and adapt in response to experiences, which is crucial for learning and adapting to social environments
What is the “social brain network”?
The social brain network consists of brain regions that are particularly involved in processing social information and understanding social relationships
How does neuroimaging contribute to our understanding of social behavior?
Neuroimaging allows researchers to observe brain activity and connectivity patterns associated with various social behaviors, helping to identify neural correlates of social processes
Accuracy with which one can measure when an event is occurring
Temporal Resolution
Accuracy with which one can measure where an event is occurring
Spatial resolution
__________ is a research method where infants are shown two different stimuli simultaneously, and researchers measure which one the infant looks at longer.
Infant preferential looking
