A textbook that lays down the foundational principles for understanding social neuroscience
Humans, like many other animals, are a highly social species. But how do our biological systems implement social behaviors, and how do these processes shape the brain and biology? Spanning multiple disciplines, Introduction to Social Neuroscience seeks to engage students and scholars alike in exploring the effects of the brain's perceived connections with others. This wide-ranging textbook provides a quintessential foundation for comprehending the psychological, neural, hormonal, cellular, and genomic mechanisms underlying such varied social processes as loneliness, empathy, theory-of-mind, trust, and cooperation.
Stephanie and John Cacioppo posit that our brain is our main social organ. They show how the same objective relationship can be perceived as friendly or threatening depending on the mental states of the individuals involved in that relationship. They present exercises and evidence-based findings readers can put into practice to better understand the neural roots of the social brain and the cognitive and health implications of a dysfunctional social brain. This textbook's distinctive features include the integration of human and animal studies, clinical cases from medicine, multilevel analyses of topics from genes to societies, and a variety of methodologies.
Unveiling new facets to the study of the social brain's anatomy and function, Introduction to Social Neuroscience widens the scientific lens on human interaction in society.
• The first textbook on social neuroscience intended for advanced undergraduates and graduate students
• Chapters address the psychological, neural, hormonal, cellular, and genomic mechanisms underlying the brain's perceived connections with others
• Materials integrate human and animal studies, clinical cases, multilevel analyses, and multiple disciplines Stephanie Cacioppo is the first female president of the Society for Social Neuroscience and is assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral neuroscience at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, where she also directs the brain dynamics laboratory. John T. Cacioppo (1951–2018) was the Tiffany and Margaret Blake Distinguished Service Professor and director of the Center for Cognitive and Social Neuroscience at the University of Chicago. He coined the term "social neuroscience" in 1992, and his many books include Handbook of Neuroscience for the Behavioral Sciences (Wiley) and Loneliness (Norton). "This is a superb book with solid figures and tables and a highly readable text. It is an excellent resource, not only as a textbook for advanced undergraduates and graduate students, but also for researchers and the educated lay public."-Bruce McEwen, Rockefeller University
"This work covers a wide range of topics in social neuroscience and references literature that would interest students. The writing style is very accessible. I thank the authors for their Herculean efforts to provide a social neuroscience textbook for those of us who teach in this area."-Aina Puce, Indiana University
"This book introduces readers to the field of social neuroscience by emphasizing an interdisciplinary and cross-cultural approach. Targeting advanced undergraduates, Introduction to Social Neuroscience provides a broad perspective not only on the underlying neural signatures but also on the underlying social cognition that leads to social interaction and behavior."-Frank Krueger, George Mason University
"Containing a wealth of references, this textbook gives a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of topics in social neuroscience. Within each chapter, the authors do a nice job of presenting empirical results as part of a narrative. Those new to social neuroscience will find this book accessible, but it is also a useful resource for researchers in the field."-Sara Verosky, Oberlin College "Winner of
