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Perspectives on Neuroscience
Published on: July 31, 2007
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The Neural Development of 'Us and Them'
João F Guassi Moreira1,2, Jay J Van Bavel3, Eva H Telzer2,4
1Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience
|September 17, 2016
Summary
As children mature, their brains show increased activity in areas like the amygdala when viewing in-group versus out-group faces, influencing social preferences.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Group affiliation is crucial for human survival and social needs.
- Significant variations in group preferences exist throughout development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related changes in neural processing of in-group versus out-group members.
- To explore the neural mechanisms underlying in-group favoritism development.
Main Methods:
- Functional neuroimaging was used during an explicit evaluation task.
- Participants included children and adolescents viewing in-group and out-group faces.
- Brain activation and functional connectivity were analyzed in relation to age.
Main Results:
- Age-related increases in amygdala, fusiform gyrus, and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) activation were observed when viewing in-group faces.
- Brain activation in these regions mediated the effect of age on in-group favoritism.
- Increased functional coupling between the amygdala and other neural regions was found with age for in-group peers.
Conclusions:
- The motivational significance and neural processing of group membership evolve during development.
- The amygdala plays a role in directing attention to socially relevant cues, particularly in-group members.
- These findings highlight the developmental trajectory of social cognition and group identity.
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