A new study led by researchers from University College London (UCL) has uncovered how the brain tracks complex social interactions using fundamental “building blocks” of information.
These building blocks enable humans to navigate and understand social dynamics quickly and efficiently.
Published in Nature, the study explored brain activity while participants played a simple game involving a teammate and two opponents.
By using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), the researchers discovered that the brain doesn’t track individual performances but rather reacts to specific patterns of interaction.
These patterns represent key components of social interactions that can be combined to understand the dynamics of a group.
Dr. Marco Wittmann, the study’s lead author, explains that humans have developed the ability to track intricate social behaviors by using mental shortcuts, or heuristics, which simplify complex information into manageable “chunks.”
This allows the brain to remain flexible and efficient in understanding new social situations.
The research revealed that our brains use basic interaction patterns that are common across various social scenarios. For instance, the brain showed activity when tracking how well participants and their partners performed compared to opponents.
These “building blocks” were primarily found in the prefrontal cortex, a brain region associated with decision-making and social behavior.
Dr. Wittmann suggests that as we grow and gain social experience, our brains “learn” these interaction patterns, which become ingrained as fundamental building blocks to process future social contexts efficiently.
Read more:
- Rising Parkinson’S Disease Rates And Early Warning Signs To Watch For
- L’Oreal Recalls La Roche-Posay Acne Treatment Over Cancer Risk From Benzene
- Parenthood Could Help Keep Your Brain Young, New Study Finds
