PSYC 213 Chapter : (Aldolphs) Social Cognition and the Human Brain

• School: McGill University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 213
• Professor: Jelena Ristic

Document Summary

Social cognition and the human brain: adolphs. Group advantages - security from predators, better mate choice, more reliable food. Group disadvantages - group resources are available to in-group competitors. Evolutionary approach to social cognition predicts mechanisms for: cooperation, altruism, pro-social behavior (typical of small groups, ex. mother and infant: coercion, deception, and manipulation (typical of large groups, ex. complex dominance hierarchies. Machiavellian intelligence hypothesis or social brain hypothesis: suggest the complexity of primate social structure led to an advantage for larger brains: hypothesis: an environment with a premium on social skills caused humans to evolve exceptional cognitive skills. Evidence from primates: mean group size to the ratio of neocortex volume/ total brain volume. Evidence from other mammals with complex social structures: larger group size larger brain/body ratio. Overview of the neurobiology of social cognition in primates. Normal profile on other neuropsychological measure (ex. Normal individuals show activation of the amygdala during this task.