Neuroscience of Social Understanding

Abstract

Comprehending human behavior and interactions requires an understanding of the social mind. Social cognitive neuroscience provides a lens to understand these complexities. This chapter explores the core brain mechanisms that control social conduct by exploring the field of social cognitive neuroscience. It examines aspects of social cognition, like the theory of mind, social perception, empathy, and decision-making. It explains how the brain helps navigate complex social contexts by looking at complex interactions between neurological processes and social behaviors. Important subjects include the function of the mirror neuron system, temporoparietal junction and prefrontal cortex in mediating social cognition. It discusses the implications of social cognitive neuroscience for understanding diseases such as schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder, which are characterized by social deficiencies. Through this research, we learn about the social mind and its brain foundations, and it opens the door to novel interventions that improve interpersonal relationships and social well-being.