#Socialbehavior

A growing strand of psychological research suggests that a behavior many people dismiss as rude or inconsiderate might actually reflect high cognitive ability, brisk processing, and confident thinking. In plain terms: stops, interruptions, or blunt remarks that communities often read as a lack of manners could, in some contexts, be markers of a quick, agile mind. This reframing challenges centuries of etiquette wisdom and raises practical questions for schools, workplaces, and families in Thailand, where courtesy and harmony in conversation are deeply valued.

A new brain map identifies a central hub in the brain’s prefrontal region that coordinates how we respond to stress and how we navigate social interactions. The study, conducted in mice with cutting-edge genetic labeling, three-dimensional imaging, and AI-driven circuit mapping, charts how a network within the medial prefrontal cortex acts as a command center for emotional regulation and social behavior. The lead author, a professor of neurobiology at UCLA Health, describes the work as filling a long-standing gap in understanding the wiring that links internal bodily signals with external social demands. This isn’t merely an academic exercise: it offers a cellular blueprint that could inform new diagnostic tools and targeted therapies for stress-related and social dysfunction disorders, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

A small incident in a quiet neighborhood—where a three-year-old named Manny told his playmate Albert the real facts about where babies come from, after learning it from his own parents—may seem trivial at first glance. But Albert’s parents, who had told him the traditional “stork story,” were furious, leading to a rift between the families and a ban on further playdates. This slice-of-life story, first published in Slate’s advice column on April 23, 2025, has struck a chord with parents around the world and spurred fresh conversations about what happens when children repeat what they learn at home with their peers—a dynamic that carries both social and developmental significance (Slate).

A seemingly small moment in a quiet neighborhood has raised bigger questions about what children hear at home and how it shapes social harmony. A three-year-old named Manny told his playmate Albert the “facts” about where babies come from, learned from his parents, which sparked anger from Albert’s family who had shared the traditional stork narrative. The resulting fallout—two families drifting apart and fewer playdates—highlights a universal dilemma for Thai families: how much to tell children, when, and how to keep neighborly relations intact. This real-life case has sparked conversations about value transmission and how children repeat what they learn in safe, age-appropriate ways.

A new international study identifies a brain region that helps decide how generous we are toward friends versus strangers. Researchers from Germany and South Africa found that damage to the basolateral amygdala (BLA) reduces sharing with anyone outside one’s closest circle, while generosity toward close friends remains relatively intact. The study, recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, sheds light on the biological roots of kindness and self-interest and could inform understanding of social disorders.

A groundbreaking international study has pinpointed a specific region in the brain responsible for deciding how generous we are with friends versus strangers. Researchers from Germany and South Africa have discovered that damage to the basolateral amygdala (BLA) sharply reduces our willingness to share with anyone outside our closest social circle—while generosity toward close friends stays intact. The findings, published recently in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, offer intriguing new insights into the biological roots of kindness and selfishness, and may have implications for understanding social disorders.

A new study from researchers at MIT and Harvard Medical School reveals that the immune molecule IL-17 can influence social behavior and anxiety by acting directly on specific brain regions. The research shows IL-17 has a dual role: it enhances sociability by dampening neuron activity in the cortex, while it increases anxiety by heightening excitability in the amygdala. In effect, IL-17 appears to function as a neuromodulator, linking immune system activity with how we feel and behave. This insight could inform future approaches to conditions such as autism and depression, according to the study’s findings and interpretations from leading neuroscience outlets.

Recent research led by MIT and Harvard Medical School has uncovered the intriguing role that the immune molecule interleukin-17 (IL-17) plays in shaping social behavior and anxiety by acting directly on specific brain regions. This groundbreaking study reveals that IL-17 serves dual functions: enhancing sociability by reducing neuron excitability in the brain’s cortex and triggering anxiety by increasing excitability in the amygdala. These findings suggest IL-17 acts like a neuromodulator, drawing a fascinating link between immune system activity and behavioral outcomes, with potential implications for the treatment of conditions like autism and depression (Neuroscience News).

Warm days and longer sunlight affect the brain in visible ways. Mood, social life, sleep, and decision-making shift when the climate heats up. New neuroscientific findings show that weather is more than a backdrop—it helps shape how we think, relate, and act.

In Thailand, heat is a daily reality. Understanding these brain shifts helps connect environment with mental well-being. Light and temperature cue the brain to adapt. Increased sunlight boosts serotonin, a mood-regulating chemical tied to impulse control. This matters for conditions like Seasonal Affective Disorder, where light therapy has shown meaningful relief by enhancing activity in the prefrontal cortex during sunny periods, according to research from reputable institutions.

A new study shows that human brains have distinctive internal wiring, especially in the temporal lobe, offering a fresh view on what makes people unique. Instead of focusing only on brain size, researchers map how regions connect and communicate to shape higher thinking and social behavior.

Historically, brain differences were assessed by comparing overall size across species. Size alone cannot explain cognitive differences. Modern imaging allows scientists to chart brain connectivity with greater clarity, revealing subtle patterns that distinguish humans from close relatives.

New neuroscientific findings compare human brains with those of chimpanzees and macaques, revealing how our brain’s internal wiring supports advanced social skills. Researchers from Oxford University and Aix-Marseille Université show that humans differ less in overall size and more in how brain regions connect and communicate. For Thai audiences, this adds depth to our understanding of cognition and social behavior.

The study shifts focus from body size to the brain’s internal architecture. By analyzing MRI data, researchers mapped white matter connections, or connectivity fingerprints, across species. These patterns help explain why humans perform complex social interactions and language tasks more efficiently than other primates.