scholarly journals Puberty and social brain development

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marjolein E. A. Barendse ◽  
Jennifer H. Pfeifer
Keyword(s):  
Brain Development ◽  
Pubertal Development ◽  
Sensitive Period ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Structural Development ◽  
Social Brain ◽  
Biological Sex ◽  
The Social ◽  
Methodological Problems ◽  
Physical Changes

Puberty is characterized by substantial change in many areas of development, including hormonal, physical, neuronal, psychological, and social domains. In this chapter, the authors outline how puberty, and its underlying hormonal and physical changes, might elicit a sensitive period for the development of the social brain. The literature to date suggests that pubertal development is relevant for the structural development of the social brain, and this is partly moderated by biological sex. Functionally, puberty might render the brain more sensitive to social information. However, methodological issues relating to sample size, study design, and analysis, limit the possibility of drawing more specific conclusions. Apart from overcoming these methodological problems, future research should focus on individual differences in pubertal processes and their relevance to social brain development, as well as examining the mechanisms via which pubertal processes impact social behavior through social brain functioning.

scholarly journals Puberty and social brain development

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marjolein Barendse ◽  
Jennifer H Pfeifer
Keyword(s):  
Brain Development ◽  
Pubertal Development ◽  
Sensitive Period ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Structural Development ◽  
Social Brain ◽  
Brain Functioning ◽  
The Social ◽  
Methodological Problems ◽  
Physical Changes

Puberty is characterized by substantial change in many areas of development, including hormonal, physical, neuronal, psychological and social. In this chapter, we outline how puberty, and its underlying hormonal and physical changes, might elicit a sensitive period for the development of the social brain. The literature to date suggests that pubertal development is relevant for the structural development of the social brain, partly in interaction with sex. Functionally, puberty might render the brain more sensitive to social information. However, methodological issues relating to sample size, study design and analysis, limit the possibility of drawing more specific conclusions. Apart from overcoming these methodological problems, future research should focus on individual differences in pubertal processes and their relevance to social brain development, as well as examining the mechanisms from pubertal processes through social brain functioning to social behavior.

scholarly journals Beyond the average brain: individual differences in social brain development are associated with friendship quality

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrik I Becht ◽  
Lara M Wierenga ◽  
Kathryn L Mills ◽  
Rosa Meuwese ◽  
Anna van Duijvenvoorde ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Brain Development ◽  
Surface Area ◽  
Cortical Thickness ◽  
Friendship Quality ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Structural Development ◽  
Quality Development ◽  
Social Brain ◽  
Temporoparietal Junction

Abstract We tested whether adolescents differ from each other in the structural development of the social brain and whether individual differences in social brain development predicted variability in friendship quality development. Adolescents (N = 299, Mage T1 = 13.98 years) were followed across three biannual waves. We analysed self-reported friendship quality with the best friend at T1 and T3, and bilateral measures of surface area and cortical thickness of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), posterior superior temporal sulcus (pSTS), temporoparietal junction (TPJ) and precuneus across all waves. At the group level, growth curve models confirmed non-linear decreases of surface area and cortical thickness in social brain regions. We identified substantial individual differences in levels and change rates of social brain regions, especially for surface area of the mPFC, pSTS and TPJ. Change rates of cortical thickness varied less between persons. Higher levels of mPFC surface area and cortical thickness predicted stronger increases in friendship quality over time. Moreover, faster cortical thinning of mPFC surface area predicted a stronger increase in friendship quality. Higher levels of TPJ cortical thickness predicted lower friendship quality. Together, our results indicate heterogeneity in social brain development and how this variability uniquely predicts friendship quality development.

Social by Default: Characterizing the Social Functions of the Resting Brain

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 380-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meghan L. Meyer
Keyword(s):  
Social Cognition ◽  
Cognitive Neuroscience ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Social Neuroscience ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Default Network ◽  
Social Brain ◽  
Social Functions ◽  
Neuroscience Research ◽  
The Social

Social-neuroscience research has identified a set of medial frontoparietal brain regions that reliably engage during social cognition. At the same time, cognitive-neuroscience research has shown that these regions comprise part of the default network, so named because they reliably activate during mental breaks by default. Although the anatomical similarity between the social brain and the default brain is well documented, why this overlap exists remains a mystery. Does the tendency to engage these regions by default during rest have particular social functions, and if so, what might these be? Here, it is suggested that the default network performs two critical social functions during rest: social priming and social consolidation. These constructs will be defined, recently published empirical findings that support them will be reviewed, and directions for future research on the topic will be proposed.

scholarly journals The origins of music

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 205920431775197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anton Killin
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Basis ◽  
Natural Philosophy ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Musical Instruments ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Narrative Construction ◽  
Archaeological Record ◽  
Social Brain ◽  
The Social ◽  
Incremental Evolution

Music is a fascinating topic for evolutionary theory, natural philosophy, and narrative construction: music is a highly valued feature of all known living cultures, pervading many aspects of daily life, playing many roles. And music is ancient. The oldest known musical instruments appear in the archaeological record from 40,000 years ago (40 Kya) and from these we can infer even earlier musical artefacts/activities, as yet unrepresented in the archaeological record. I argue that, following research couched in the social brain hypothesis framework, a theoretical basis is emerging for the proposition that the (incremental) evolution of proto-music took hold in the late mid-Pleistocene, roughly 400 Kya, and perhaps earlier. Subsequently, musical activities and traditions incrementally evolved throughout modernity (from 250 Kya onwards), global dispersal from Africa (currently thought to be from 60-100 Kya onwards), and the Holocene (from 12 Kya). In this article I provide an overview of recent research and a sketch of music’s evolutionary career. I identify avenues for future research, including work in the evolution of the emotions, and the application of signalling theory to music archaeology.

Navigating the Social Environment in Adolescence: The Role of Social Brain Development

2021 ◽  
Vol 89 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-118
Author(s):  
Jack L. Andrews ◽  
Saz P. Ahmed ◽  
Sarah-Jayne Blakemore
Keyword(s):  
Brain Development ◽  
Social Environment ◽  
Social Brain ◽  
The Social

Contextualizing adolescent structural brain development

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lia Ferschmann ◽  
Marieke Bos ◽  
Megan Herting ◽  
Kathryn L. Mills ◽  
Christian K. Tamnes
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Brain Development ◽  
Social Environment ◽  
Individual Variability ◽  
Neural Systems ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Structural Development ◽  
Policy Changes ◽  
Methodological Considerations ◽  
The Brain

The spatiotemporal group-level patterns of brain macrostructural development across adolescence have over the past decades been relatively well documented. Efforts are now being directed towards understanding individual variability in brain development, as well as its causes and consequences. While genetic factors and pre- and perinatal events have critical impact on brain structural development, calls are now made to also study the brain in dynamic transactional interplay with the different aspects of an individual’s physical and social environment across all stages of development. Such a focus is highly relevant for research on adolescence, a period of life involving a multitude of contextual changes paralleled by continued refinement of complex cognitive and affective neural systems. Insights into the relations between environmental factors and adolescent brain development and the consequences for mental health, have the potential to provide valuable directions for policy changes and targets for prevention. Here, we discuss associations between selected aspects of an individual’s physical and social environment and adolescent brain structural development, and possible links to mental health. We also touch on methodological considerations for future research.

Current Postvention Research and Priorities for the Future

Crisis ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 202-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl Andriessen ◽  
Dolores Angela Castelli Dransart ◽  
Julie Cerel ◽  
Myfanwy Maple
Keyword(s):  
Social Life ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Research Priorities ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Intercultural Collaboration ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Future ◽  
Suicide Bereavement ◽  
Ethical Approval

Abstract. Background: Suicide can have a lasting impact on the social life as well as the physical and mental health of the bereaved. Targeted research is needed to better understand the nature of suicide bereavement and the effectiveness of support. Aims: To take stock of ongoing studies, and to inquire about future research priorities regarding suicide bereavement and postvention. Method: In March 2015, an online survey was widely disseminated in the suicidology community. Results: The questionnaire was accessed 77 times, and 22 records were included in the analysis. The respondents provided valuable information regarding current research projects and recommendations for the future. Limitations: Bearing in mind the modest number of replies, all from respondents in Westernized countries, it is not known how representative the findings are. Conclusion: The survey generated three strategies for future postvention research: increase intercultural collaboration, increase theory-driven research, and build bonds between research and practice. Future surveys should include experiences with obtaining research grants and ethical approval for postvention studies.

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