Neurobiological Bases of Social Networks.

Mengfei Han,Haoshuang Luo,Gaofang Jiang,Yongcong Shao

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.626337

Mengfei Han, Haoshuang Luo + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.626337

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Abstract

A social network is a web that integrates multiple levels of interindividual social relationships and has direct associations with an individual’s health and well-being. Previous research has mainly focused on how brain and social network structures (structural properties) act on each other and on how the brain supports the spread of ideas and behaviors within social networks (functional properties). The structure of the social network is correlated with activity in the amygdala, which links decoding and interpreting social signals and social values. The structure also relies on the mentalizing network, which is central to an individual’s ability to infer the mental states of others. Network functional properties depend on multilayer brain-social networks, indicating that information transmission is supported by the default mode system, the valuation system, and the mentalizing system. From the perspective of neuroendocrinology, overwhelming evidence shows that variations in oxytocin, β-endorphin and dopamine receptor genes, including oxytocin receptor (OXTR), mu opioid receptor 1 (OPRM1) and dopamine receptor 2 (DRD2), predict an individual’s social network structure, whereas oxytocin also contributes to improved transmission of emotional and behavioral information from person to person. Overall, previous studies have comprehensively revealed the effects of the brain, endocrine system, and genes on social networks. Future studies are required to determine the effects of cognitive abilities, such as memory, on social networks, the characteristics and neural mechanism of social networks in mental illness and how social networks change over time through the use of longitudinal methods.

Highlights

Dynamic and intricate personal relationships in daily life compose our social world
Significant progress has been achieved in determining the neural mechanisms of social networks, many questions remain to be addressed
Most existing studies have focused on understanding the structure of social networks from the perspective of the social cognitive ability of individuals and have paid little attention to the effect of memory abilities on social network structure

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Dynamic and intricate personal relationships in daily life compose our social world. Adapting to the complexities of the social world is a critical component of people staying healthy and maintaining well-being (Schmälzle et al, 2017; Pearce et al, 2017). Dziura and Thompson (2014) investigated the effects of the social network size and complexity on the perception of basic, non-verbal social stimuli (e.g., gestures and expressions) and found that the activation of the STS and amygdala induced by biological motion recognition was positively correlated with social network indicators Based on this result, the individual at the center of a network must have a strong ability to identify obscure social signals in order to play a complex social role (Dziura and Thompson, 2014). Little direct evidence is available on how brain structure and functional connectivity among regions in the mirror neuron system influence social networking This influence is important because the ability to understand biological motion, including facial expressions and body movements, can affect an individual’s social skills and the quality of social interaction (Oberman et al, 2007). More direct studies are needed to explore the relationship between genes and the functional attributes of social networks

Findings

DISCUSSION

FUTURE DIRECTIONS AND CONCLUSION