Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Organization of the Brain01:30

Organization of the Brain

The brain is an integral component of the nervous system and serves as the center for processing sensory inputs, making decisions, and directing bodily actions. This complex organ is organized into three primary sections: the hindbrain, midbrain, and forebrain, each responsible for a range of vital functions.
Hindbrain
The hindbrain, located at the base of the brain, plays a vital role in regulating automatic processes that sustain life. It includes the medulla oblongata, which is essential for...
Functional Brain Systems: Limbic System01:15

Functional Brain Systems: Limbic System

The limbic system, often called the "emotional brain," is a complex set of structures located deep within the brain. The intricate network of the limbic system supports a wide range of psychological functions, from emotional regulation to memory formation and sensory processing. This functional brain region encompasses specific parts of the diencephalon and the cerebrum, integrating the higher mental functions of the cerebral cortex with the primitive emotional responses of the deep brain...
Scientific Nature of Social Psychology01:30

Scientific Nature of Social Psychology

Social psychology is a scientific discipline dedicated to understanding how individuals think, feel, and behave in social contexts. Unlike common sense, which relies on anecdotal experiences and intuition, social psychology employs systematic research and empirical methods to ensure objectivity and reliability. This distinction is fundamental in distinguishing scientifically supported findings from mere speculation.Four fundamental scientific values guide a structured approach to research in...
Neurons as Communicators of the Brain01:22

Neurons as Communicators of the Brain

Neurons, the fundamental units of the brain and nervous system, function as the primary transmitters of information throughout the body. Their ability to communicate through electrical and chemical signals is vital for every bodily function, from regulating the heartbeat to processing complex thoughts. Each neuron has three main components: the cell body (soma), dendrites, and an axon, each specialized to facilitate swift and efficient neural communication.
Cell Body
The cell body, also known...
Introducing Social Perception01:29

Introducing Social Perception

Perceiving others accurately is fundamental to effective communication and relationship-building. Social perception, a key concept in social psychology, refers to the cognitive processes through which individuals gather and interpret information about others to understand their actions, intentions, and motivations. This process extends beyond spoken words and overt behaviors, incorporating subtle nonverbal cues and contextual factors.Nonverbal Cues and Their SignificanceNonverbal cues play a...
Gut-Brain Axis01:22

Gut-Brain Axis

The gut–brain axis is a bidirectional communication system that connects the gastrointestinal tract and the brain. This interaction is mediated through multiple pathways, including the vagus nerve, hormonal signals, immune responses, and chemical messengers produced by gut microbes.Microbial Contributions to Brain FunctionGut microbiota contributes significantly to brain function by producing neuroactive compounds. These include neuroactive compounds that influence neurotransmitters such as...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same journal

Hippocampal prediction errors and claustral control at the perception-memory crossroads.

Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences·2026
Same journal

Trajectory scanning as a predictive coding mechanism for goal-directed navigation, obstacle avoidance and episodic memory.

Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences·2026
Same journal

A neural framework for the origin of meaning: network dynamics, context and the hippocampus.

Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences·2026
Same journal

Where we look, what we know: how hippocampal predictions shape, and are shaped by, eye movements.

Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences·2026
Same journal

The hippocampus as a generative model.

Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences·2026
Same journal

Forming, selecting and updating cognitive maps to support flexible behaviour: relevance for anxiety.

Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 21, 2026

Brain Imaging Investigation of the Neural Correlates of Observing Virtual Social Interactions
10:45

Brain Imaging Investigation of the Neural Correlates of Observing Virtual Social Interactions

Published on: July 6, 2011

Face to face with the social brain.

Seth Dobson1

  • 1Department of Anthropology, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA. seth.dobson@dartmouth.edu

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences
|May 30, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Anthropoid primates uniquely link brain size to social group size. Enhanced facial motor control, driven by neocortical expansion, may facilitate social bonding and trust through increased emotional expressivity.

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Neuroscience
  • Primatology

Background:

  • A unique quantitative relationship exists between relative brain size and social group size in anthropoid primates, unlike other vertebrates.
  • The evolutionary drivers behind this primate-specific pattern remain largely unexplained.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of facial expressivity and social bonding in explaining the relationship between brain size and social group size in anthropoid primates.
  • To propose a neurobiological mechanism linking neocortical expansion to enhanced facial motor control and social cognition.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analyses of relative neocortex size and relative facial nucleus size across primate species.
  • Examination of the correlation between allogrooming frequency and facial nucleus volume.

More Related Videos

Perspectives on Neuroscience
26:41

Perspectives on Neuroscience

Published on: July 31, 2007

Inter-Brain Synchrony in Open-Ended Collaborative Learning: An fNIRS-Hyperscanning Study
04:44

Inter-Brain Synchrony in Open-Ended Collaborative Learning: An fNIRS-Hyperscanning Study

Published on: July 21, 2021

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 21, 2026

Brain Imaging Investigation of the Neural Correlates of Observing Virtual Social Interactions
10:45

Brain Imaging Investigation of the Neural Correlates of Observing Virtual Social Interactions

Published on: July 6, 2011

Perspectives on Neuroscience
26:41

Perspectives on Neuroscience

Published on: July 31, 2007

Inter-Brain Synchrony in Open-Ended Collaborative Learning: An fNIRS-Hyperscanning Study
04:44

Inter-Brain Synchrony in Open-Ended Collaborative Learning: An fNIRS-Hyperscanning Study

Published on: July 21, 2021

  • Review of existing evidence from human psychology regarding emotional expressivity and social cognition.

    • Main Results:

    • Demonstrated a correlated evolution between relative neocortex size and relative facial nucleus size.
    • Revealed a positive relationship between allogrooming (a measure of social bonding) and facial nucleus volume.
    • Supported the hypothesis that increased facial motor control enhances emotional expressivity and the ability to assess trustworthiness.

    Conclusions:

    • Neocortical expansion in anthropoid primates may have led to enhanced facial motor control via the facial motor nucleus.
    • This enhanced motor control facilitates greater emotional expressivity, improving social bonding and the assessment of group member trustworthiness.
    • Suggests novel avenues for studying primate facial expressivity and its evolutionary significance.