Toward a neural basis for social behavior

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Biology

Background:

• Social neuroscience emerged from shared interests in the neural basis of social behavior.
• The field has experienced explosive growth in the last decade, largely driven by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies.

Observation:

• Tensions exist regarding research question prioritization and the authority of neurobiological data.
• The field faces uncertainty in achieving research focus and cohesion among scientists.

Findings:

• Social neuroscience is well-positioned to address significant questions in human and animal behavior.
• Future research directions include understanding diverse social interactions (including online), characterizing/treating social dysfunction in psychiatric illness, and comparative social cognition.

Implications:

• Overcoming current challenges will enable social neuroscience to tackle complex questions about social interactions and dysfunction.
• The next 25 years present opportunities to refine research focus and foster cohesion, advancing our understanding of social behavior across species.