Distance and grid-like codes support the navigation of abstract social space in the human brain

Liang, Z; Wu, S; Wu, J; Wang, W-X; Qin, S; Liu, C

Neuroscience & Neuroimaging Research Collection

Journal article

Distance and grid-like codes support the navigation of abstract social space in the human brain

Abstract:: People form impressions about others during daily social encounters and infer personality traits from others' behaviors. Such trait inference is thought to rely on two universal dimensions: competence and warmth. These two dimensions can be used to construct a 'social cognitive map' organizing massive information obtained from social encounters efficiently. Originating from spatial cognition, the neural codes supporting the representation and navigation of spatial cognitive maps have been widely studied. Recent studies suggest similar neural mechanism subserves the map-like architecture in social cognition as well. Here we investigated how spatial codes operate beyond the physical environment and support the representation and navigation of social cognitive map. We designed a social value space defined by two dimensions of competence and warmth. Behaviorally, participants were able to navigate to a learned location from random starting locations in this abstract social space. At the neural level, we identified the representation of distance in the precuneus, fusiform gyrus, and middle occipital gyrus. We also found partial evidence of grid-like representation patterns in the medial prefrontal cortex and entorhinal cortex. Moreover, the intensity of grid-like response scaled with the performance of navigating in social space and social avoidance trait scores. Our findings suggest a neurocognitive mechanism by which social information can be organized into a structured representation, namely cognitive map and its relevance to social well-being.

Publication status:: Published

Peer review status:: Peer reviewed

Actions

Email

Email this record

Send the bibliographic details of this record to your email address.

Your Email
Please enter the email address that the record information will be sent to.

-
Your message (optional)
Please add any additional information to be included within the email.
Share
Cite

Cite this record

APA Style

Liang, Z., Wu, S., Wu, J., Wang, W.-X., Qin, S., & Liu, C. (2023). Distance and grid-like codes support the navigation of abstract social space in the human brain. ELife, 12, RP89025.

MLA Style

Liang, Z, et al. “Distance and Grid-like Codes Support the Navigation of Abstract Social Space in the Human Brain.” ELife, vol. 12, 2023, p. RP89025.

Chicago Style

Liang, Z, S Wu, J Wu, W-X Wang, S Qin, and C Liu. 2023. “Distance and Grid-like Codes Support the Navigation of Abstract Social Space in the Human Brain.” ELife 12: RP89025.
Print