[Left and Right Hemispheric Contribution to Social Cognition]

Can we find hemispheric differences in the neural systems of social cognition? Social cognition is supported by a number of cognitive systems. Emotion plays an important role in understanding others and in controlling self-action. Theory of mind, the ability to infer the mental state of others, consists of subsystems such as empathy, mentalization, and perspective taking. Key brain structures for these cognitive processes are the medial prefrontal cortex, regions around the superior temporal sulcus, and the temporo-parietal junction. Most studies show right hemisphere dominance in emotional and social processes. With regard to the theory of mind, empathy is dominantly supported by the right hemisphere. However, some findings suggest the involvement of both hemispheres in mentalization and perspective talking. Social cognition is a complex process and should be considered as the consequence of inter-hemispheric processing involving several structures, although it is mainly right-hemisphere dominant.