Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 2, 2026

Brain Imaging Investigation of the Neural Correlates of Observing Virtual Social Interactions
Published on: July 6, 2011
The building blocks of social communication
1Boston VA Healthcare Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Abstract:
In the present review, social communication will be discussed in the context of social cognition, and cold and hot cognition. The review presents research on prosody, processing of faces, multimodal processing of voice and face, and the impact of emotion on constructing semantic meaning. Since the focus of this mini review is on brain processes involved in these cognitive functions, the bulk of evidence presented will be from event related potential (ERP) studies as this methodology offers the best temporal resolution of cognitive events under study. The argument is made that social communication is accomplished via fast acting sensory processes and later, top down processes. Future directions both in terms of methodology and research questions are also discussed.
Related Concept Videos
Introducing Social Perception
Causes of Social Behavior I: Actions and Characteristics of Individuals
Levels of Communication I: Intrapersonal, Interpersonal, and Small Group
We can participate in these relationships through verbal, nonverbal, and mediated communication. We engage in verbal communication when we use words during our interaction to convey specific meanings. On the other hand, nonverbal communication refers to various factors that can impact how we understand each other—for example, facial expressions.
We interact with others using mediated technologies like the...
Social Foundations of Self IV: Self in Digital Communication
Levels of Communication II: Organizational, Public, and Group Dynamics
Social Foundations of Self I: Play and Game

