In Episode 28 of Neuroscience and Beyond, we explore the neural basis of social behaviour with Dr. Raymundo Báez-Mendoza, #neuroscientist and group leader at the German Primate Centre. From understanding trust and cooperation to decoding fear and social distance, Dr. Báez-Mendoza’s work reveals how the #brain makes sense of our most fundamental social experiences.

Bridging research in humans and non-human primates, his lab uses game theory, structured behavioural tasks, and neural recordings to investigate the #cognitive and emotional processes that shape how we interact with others.

In this episode, we cover:

• How scientists model real-life social decisions in the lab
• The role of the amygdala in both fear and friendship
• How memory, reputation, and authority influence behaviour
• What are Social Agent Identity Cells, and why do they matter?
• Insights from neural recordings during brain surgery
• and more! 

🎧 Curious how the brain navigates trust, memory, and connection? Watch the full episode on YouTube to explore how neuroscience is helping us understand social interaction at its most fundamental level.

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🔗Link to the video: https://youtu.be/AFb4pQJC9zo

#SocialNeuroscience #GameTheory #Amygdala #PrimateResearch #Neuroeconomics #CognitiveNeuroscience #TheoryOfMind #NeurosciencePodcast #BehavouralNeuroscience

Supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences in #Göttingen, the European Neuroscience Institute, Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging, as well as SFB1286

Timestamps

00:00:00 Intro & Dr. Báez-Mendoza’s Research

00:04:30 Research From Mexico City to Harvard

00:09:40 Social Interactions & Game Theory

00:15:58 Studying Social Decisions in Non-Human Primates

00:22:25 The Brain’s “Social Network”

00:30:25 Fear and Friendship in the Amygdala

00:33:30 Memory of Social Interactions

00:38:10 Theory of Mind & Monkeys

00:44:30 What Are SociaAgent Identity Cells? 

00:49:00 Brain Recordings During Surgery 

00:54:05 Role of Reputation and Authority in Decision Making

00:59:50 Sex Differences in Social Behaviour

Neuroscience and Beyond team:

Svilen Georgiev

Kristina Jevdokimenko

Ahsen Konaç Sayıcı

Mels Akhmetali

Laura van Agen