How does social behavior change the brain?

Inequality in social status can have profound effects on the physical and mental health of individuals. For example, children from low socioeconomic status backgrounds have higher rates of mortality and are at greater risk for injuries, chronic medical conditions, and behavioral disorders compared with those from high socioeconomic status. Similarly, in adults, many studies have shown that higher ranking individuals in organizations may have only one third the mortality rate of those of lower ranking individuals. But how does our perception of social rank influence the brain and the body? What are the mechanisms that allow social information to change brains? In animal systems, the effects of low social status can be measured and promise the hope of identifying underlying brain mechanisms responsible.

Speaker: Dr. Russel Fernald, Stanford University