PSYCH C162 Study Guide - Final Guide: Thermoregulation
Document Summary
Shared neural mechanisms underlying social warmth and physical warmth. In the empirical article, researchers inagaki and eisenberger assessed the relationship between the neurobiological mechanisms that underly thermoregulation and those that regulate social warmth . The hypothesis that the the former mechanism is built on the latter mechanism has to do with research on the importance of social integration for our survival. Thus, there may be a neurobiological system in place to ensure that humans continue to make social connections. In this study, the researchers explore whether mechanisms involved with maintaining bodily warmth have been adapted to maintain social warmth, the feeling of love and connection. Before the experiment, participants indicated at least six close friends and family members, rating how close they were to each individual on a scale from one to ten. Researchers asked these close others to send 12 brief messages to the participant for purposes of the study.
