Social neuroscience: How we learn to avoid the bully

Curr Biol. 2024 Apr 22;34(8):R320-R322. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.03.012.

Abstract

During social interactions, individuals evaluate relationships with their peers and switch from approach to avoidance, particularly in response to aggressive encounters. A new study in mice investigated the underlying brain mechanisms and identified oxytocin as a key regulator of social avoidance learning.

MeSH terms

  • Aggression
  • Animals
  • Avoidance Learning / physiology
  • Brain / physiology
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Neurosciences
  • Oxytocin* / metabolism
  • Oxytocin* / physiology
  • Social Behavior
  • Social Interaction

Substances

  • Oxytocin