Neurosociology has a dual origin: on the one hand, the work of Michael Gazzaniga , a pioneer in studies of the social brain and the applications of neuroscience in social, economic, and legal fields; on the other, social neuroscience, a new field of research born from the collaboration between John T. Cacioppo and Gary G. Berntson, professors and researchers at Ohio State University. They devoted themselves to understanding how social forces influence physiology and how the latter influences the former. Their research revealed that social environments influence the brain and the biological functions of neuroendocrine, metabolic, and immune regulation, which are regulated by the brain (Cacioppo, Bernston, Decety, 2011).
Neurosociology in brief
In short, what is neurosociology? Neurosociology is a relatively recent branch of sociology that studies human interactions and socialization in relation to the structures and functions of the nervous system using sociological analysis and intervention tools supported by neuroscientific knowledge (Blanco, 2015).
Photo: Cirone-Musi
Another discovery that significantly influenced neurosociology was that of mirror neurons , made in 1992 by neuroscientists at the University of Parma led by Professor Giacomo Rizzolatti. They discovered the existence of motor cells in the brain that are activated both during the execution of goal-directed movements and when observing similar movements performed by others. In 1995, Giacomo Rizzolatti and his team demonstrated, for the first time, the presence in humans of a neuronal system very similar to that of monkeys . This neuronal system was named mirror neurons or the mirror system . The discovery of the mirror system substantially highlighted the physiological basis of learning by imitation and empathy, as well as creating new perspectives for the study of human language.
Neurosociology draws on the knowledge and methods of sociology and neuroscience to study human interactions, socialization, learning, communication, and social phenomena, starting from the social dimension of the brain. The study methods employed by neurosociology are those of qualitative social science research combined with the results of studies conducted using neurophysiological investigation techniques.
What does he study?
Neurosociology explores issues related to the influence of the learning environment and culture on the structure and functioning of the brain and the nervous system in general, and consequently, the related social behavioral responses. Indeed, thanks to the tools offered by neurosociology, it is possible to identify, interpret, and analyze situations of distress and implement actions to change the way we interpret social reality, aiming to improve relationships and individual and collective well-being.
Thanks to the contribution of learning and communication theories based on the close relationship between social processes and neural structures, neurosociology allows us to intervene in numerous areas such as salutogenesis, education, deviance, crime, mediation, and cooperation.
Rino Carfora
