Module 1: L18 + L23-27 - Social cognition Flashcards
Provide examples of brain regions that are strongly involved in social cognition and behaviors.
Social cognition is mediated by a complex network of areas, together denoted
the social brain:
- amygdala
- anterior cingulate cortex
- mPFC
- anterior insula
- inferior frontal gyrus
- interparietal sulcus
- temporoparietal junction
- posterior superior temporal sulcus
Describe the possible consequences of social isolation and lack of social play during childhood.
In socially deprived rats (not reversible):
- social development is strongly impeded
- neuromodulator signaling in the PFC is changed
- aggression, anxiety and fear is increased
Provide examples of neurodevelopmental disorders associated with deficits in social behavior.
- antisocial personality disorder (ASPD)
- schizophrenia
- autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
Define the concept “theory of mind” (ToM).
- The ability to understand other people by ascribing mental states to them, including the knowledged that others’ beliefs, desires, intentions, emotions, and thoughts may be different from one’s own
- allow people to predict and explain others’ behavior, and to make sense of social interactions
- aka mentalizing
- generally activate network regions including the posterior superior temporal sulcus at the TPJ, the temporal poles and the mPFC
Define “embodiment”.
Refers to the normal situation, when the self location (the experience of occupying a volume of space) is localized within one’s own physical body.
What is the “default mode network” (DMN)?
A collection of distrubted and interconnected brain regions that are suppressed when an individual is focused on external stimuli. In the absence of external stimuli, the DMN switches/defaults to internally focused thought processes, e.g., self-reflection, daydreaming, mind wandering ect.
Also involved in episodic and semantic memory, language, and evaluating dilemmas, and is activated during social cognition, when thinking about the intentions/beliefs of others.
How can damage of specific brain areas perturb embodiment: Autoscopic phenomena?
1) “out-of-body” experience: - can be caused by epilepsy, stroke, migraine, lesions centered at the temporoparital junction in the rith hemisphere
- the feeling of being outside one’s physical body, while perceicing the location of the self at a distanced and elevated visuospatial perspective, and seeing ones own body from an elevated perspective
2) heautoscopy
- can be caused by epilepsy of the temporal and parietal lobes, migraine, tumors in the insula
- having the impression of seeing a double of one’s body in the extrapersonal space (however difficult to decide if one’s embodiment is affected)
How can activity within the default network differ between subjects with and without autism spectrum disorders?
Unlike in neurotypical subjects, the DMN in subjects with ASD shows no change in activation when switching between rest and when performing an active task
Define “social cognition”.
It is the process that enable us to recognize others and evaluate their mental states (intentions, desires and beliefs), feelings, enduring dispositions and actions.
How are “antisocial personality disorder” characterized?
Enduring maladaptive patterns of behavior, cognition, and inner experience deviating from accepted cultural norms (inflexible and developed early)
Criteria ( at least 3):
- disregarding the law
- being deceitful
- acting impulsively/incapable of planning
- being irritable and aggressive
- disregarding safety
- being consistently irresponsible
- having lack of remorse
What are the suggested causes of ASPD?
- genetic component
- environmental component, such as a childhood characterized by neglect, child abuse, conflict between parents/caregivers, inconsistent parenting, parents/caregivers misused alcohol/drugs
Which brain regions are involved in the DMN?
- amygdala
- thalamus
- dm and vm PFC
- posterior cingulate cortex
- medial temporal lobe
- caudate nucleus
- anterior temporal cortex
- angilar gyrus in parietal cortex
Explain the rubber hand illusion.
Affects embodiment, body ownership, agency and perceptual body image, but not first person perspective.
Explain how the “Sally-Anne” test works.
False belief, test the childs mentalizing (ToM) abilities
- autistic children tend to fail the Sally-Anne test more than neurotypical children
What is the definition of ASD?
A neurodevelopmental disorder defined by impairments in social communication and interaction, and restricted, repetitive behaviors
People with ASD tend to:
- understand false photographs but not false beleifs
- be able to sequence behavioral pictures but not mentalistic pictures
- be good at sabotage but not deception
- use desire and emotion words, but not belief and idea words
