Offers guidance for using neurobiological methods in the study of human social behavior, personality, and affect. This book provides various chapters that cover neuroimaging techniques, genetic measurement, hormonal methods, lesion studies, facial electromyography, autonomic nervous system responses, and modeling based on neural networks.
Straightforward and practical, this is the first book to provide detailed guidance for using neurobiological methods in the study of human social behavior, personality, and affect. Each chapter clearly introduces the method at hand, provides examples of the method's applications, discusses its strengths and limitations, and reviews concrete experimental design considerations. Written by acknowledged experts, chapters cover neuroimaging techniques, genetic measurement, hormonal methods, lesion studies, startle eyeblink responses, facial electromyography, autonomic nervous system responses, and modeling based on neural networks.
This is the first book to extensively review the ways by which we can measure the brain and the body to understand the person and social behavior. From the blink of an eye to a spontaneous smile, from salivary secretions to sweaty palms, from imaging the genome to measuring connectionist networks, this book captures it all. Methods in Social Neuroscience will be reached for by both teacher and student. It will inform the informed; it will entice novices to experiment with new measures they never imagined. Destined to get dog-eared, this is the kind of book that will wander away from your bookshelf. Buy two copies!--Mahzarin R. Banaji, PhD, Richard Clarke Cabot Professor of Social Ethics, Department of Psychology, Harvard UniversityThis book goes to the heart of social neuroscience by discussing in detail the methodologies needed for the development of this important and exciting field. The coverage is extensive, ranging from brain imaging to the manipulation of neuroendocrine systems. Successful social neuroscience projects require collaboration across many disciplines: perhaps the most important topic covered in this book, rarely addressed elsewhere, is how to achieve this kind of collaboration. An essential reference work for all who are embarking on social neuroscience projects, whatever their level of experience or scientific background.--Chris Frith, FRS, Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging, University College London, UKThe sparkling new field of social neuroscience needs its procedures articulated. Here they are, in an approachable and clear form. An excellent book.--Michael S. Gazzaniga, PhD, Director, SAGE Center for the Study of Mind, University of California, Santa Barbara-Provides some exciting glimpses into new neuroscience research methodologies....The focus on research methodology has been sorely lacking in neuroscience, and this book should fill a very important need. The breadth of innovative research methodologies presented is impressive....The chapters are well written and appropriate for researchers who are learning new methods....An important and needed contribution to neuroscience research and can be expected to have a very important and positive impact on the field of social and personality neuroscience, in particular, and on the greater field of neuroscience research generally. The editors and authors have provided other neuroscience researchers with new, innovative methods by which to make important new discoveries. This book will be of great interest to undergraduate and graduate students and researchers in the neurosciences.--PsycCRITIQUES, 1/11/2009
