Humans are intrinsically social beings. A network of brain regions have been identified that support the ability to socially interact with others, this is known as the social brain which facilitates social cognition. Social cognition often incorporates self-referential thoughts linked to the perception of the self, which is a complex construct referring to an individual’s understanding of themselves.
The goal of this Research Topic is to compile studies that demonstrate the involvement of specific areas of the brain in self and social processes by using brain imaging and brain stimulation techniques. Since self-processes and social processes are inseparably linked because the self is inherently socially constructed, we would highly welcome studies integrating both concepts.
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
• Neural correlates of the self (self-esteem, self-appraisal, self-reference…).
• Neural correlates of the social brain (social contact, social wellbeing, social cognition, social processing…).
• Integration of the self-processes with the social brain.
• Anatomical differences and similarities between the two constructs.
• Disfunctioning mechanism of self/social interaction at the basis of neuropsychiatric diseases
Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
