This engaging and cutting-edge text provides an accessible introduction to the complex methods and concepts of social neuroscience, with examples from contemporary research and a blend of different pedagogical features helping students to engage with the material, including essay questions, summary and key points, further reading suggestions, and links to online resources.
Social neuroscience is a rapidly growing field which explains, using neural mechanisms, our ability to recognize, understand, and interact with others. Concepts such as trust, revenge, empathy, prejudice, and identity are now being explored and unraveled by neuroscientists. The third edition of this ground-breaking text has been thoroughly revised and expanded to reflect the growing volume of evidence and theories in the field. Notable additions include a greater emphasis on genetic influences, hormonal influences, and more detail on methods such as fNIRS, multivariate pattern analysis, and heart-based psychophysiological measures. This edition also provides new material on gender identity and sexuality, constructivist theories of emotion, compassion versus empathy, the dark triad, and altruistic punishment. The book is supported by a fully updated companion website, featuring student resources including lecture recordings, multiple choice questions, and useful web links, as well as PowerPoint slides for lecturers.
Richly illustrated in attractive full-color, with figures, boxes, and ‘real-world’ implications of research, this text is the ideal introduction to the field for both undergraduate and postgraduate students in fields such as psychology and neuroscience.
1. Introduction to social neuroscience. 2. The methods of social neuroscience. 3. Evolutionary origins of social intelligence and culture. 4. Emotion and Motivation. 5. Reading faces and bodies. 6. Understanding others. 7. Interacting with others. 8. Relationships. 9. Groups and Identity. 10. Morality and Antisocial Behavior. 11. Developmental Social Neuroscience. 12. References.
Biography
Jamie Ward is Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Sussex, UK. He has published more than 150 scientific papers and several books including The Student’s Guide to Cognitive Neuroscience (now in its fourth edition) and The Frog who Croaked Blue: Synesthesia and the Mixing of the Senses (now translated into four languages). He was the founding editor of Cognitive Neuroscience, a journal from Taylor & Francis.
'This book is an essential guide for students or anyone else interested in understanding our social brain. It covers the key topics of social neuroscience as well as its methods and history. Social neuroscience is growing exponentially and the third edition of this book covers foundational research and emerging trends in this field. I am sure it will inform and inspire the next generation of social neuroscientists and enlighten anyone with an interest in this topic. With a book like this, the future of social neuroscience is looking bright.'
Pascal Molenberghs, Associate Professor at the Institute for Social Neuroscience in Melbourne, Australia'With each new edition, The Students' Guide to Social Neuroscience becomes even more of the definitive text on the field. I wouldn’t teach this class with any other textbook.'
Matthew D. Lieberman, Director, UCLA Social Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, USA'This is so far the best book that covers various methods and broad and exciting topics of social neuroscience. It tells both the origins and recent development of this field. I believe that this book will inspire readers [...] and will be extremely helpful for students who aim to have both quick overview and deep understanding of what and how social neuroscience investigates.'
Professor Shihui Han, Peking University, China
