Social and Affective Neuroscience

This course takes you on a journey into one of the most dynamic realms of psychology - specifically, the exploration of how the brain shapes and enables our social and affective behaviors. We will examine key questions, such as how we learn from each other, when and in what ways social norms influence us, and how our communication and social decision-making unfold. By applying perspectives from evolutionary biology, learning theory, and game theory, we will explore the brain's mechanisms that turn us into social beings. This provides insights that go beyond the surface, allowing you to comprehend the core of our social interactions. Not only will we ground ourselves in theoretical frameworks, but we will also introduce you to cutting-edge research. Methods like brain imaging and computational modeling will be illuminated, and you will learn how they are applied to address the most current research questions in the field. The course is designed for individuals with backgrounds in fields such as psychology, biology, neuroscience, cognitive science, and computer science, who seek an introduction to social and affective neuroscience. This is a research-oriented course aimed at fostering interest in research and a potential future career in academia.