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Title: Scientists discover the 'kind' part of the brain
Source:
Daily Mail
URL Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/li ... icle_id=430506&in_page_id=1965
Published: Jan 23, 2007
Author: Unattributed
Post Date: 2007-01-24 19:00:53 by Tauzero
Keywords: None
Views: 47
Comments: 3
Scientists discover the 'kind' part of the brain Charity begins...in the posterior superior temporal salcus, according to scientists who have traced the origins of altruism in the brain. A study found that this part of the brain is more active in people who often engage in helpful behaviour. The region, which lies in the top and back portion of the brain, is linked to sorting out social relationships. US scientists scanned the brains of 45 volunteers using a technique called functional magnetic resonance imaging which can watch the brain working. At the same time, participants either played a computer game, or watched the computer play the game on its own. In either case, winning the game earned money for a chosen charity. Volunteers were also questioned about how often they put others before themselves - in other words, how altruistic they were. The brain scans revealed that the most charitable showed the most activity in the posterior superior temporal salcus when the computer game was being played. Study leader Dr Scott Huettel, a neuroscientist from Duke University Medical Centre in Durham, North Carolina, said: "Although understanding the function of this brain region may not necessarily identify what drives people like Mother Theresa, it may give clues to the origins of important social behaviours like altruism." Further research in the area may lead to greater understanding of disorders such as autism or antisocial behaviour, say the researchers. The findings were reported in the online edition of the journal Nature Neuroscience.
Poster Comment: The Master said, "At first, my way with men was to hear their words, and give them credit for their conduct. Now my way is to hear their words, and look at their conduct. It is from Yu that I have learned to make this change."
Last updated at 11:51am on 23rd January 2007
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#1. To: Tauzero (#0)
Cause or effect of the altruistic behavior?
Katrina was America's Chernobyl.
Interesting question. In sports, it has been said that men join a team in order to compete, while women compete in order to join a team.
When a country is well governed, poverty and a mean condition are things to be ashamed of. When a country is ill governed, riches and honor are things to be ashamed of. -- Confucius
Now if only they'd find that Stupid part of the brain and do something about it, we'd have the country we need in a time of crisis.
#2. To: aristeides (#1)
#3. To: Tauzero (#0)
 | This country's priorities are all fucked up. |
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