A brain region called the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) maintains a structured map of a person's social circles, based on closeness. People that struggle with loneliness often perceive a gap between themselves and others. This gap is reflected by the activity patterns of the mPFC.
The researchers had the participants think of different groups of people (self, "close others", acquaintances, and celebrities) while being scanned in an fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging). The perceived closeness of the subject to the imagined targets were revealed in the scans. Further, the lonelier-feeling participants had reduced perception of similarity to others in all categories.
Journal Reference:
Andrea L. Courtney, Meghan L. Meyer. Self-other representation in the social brain reflects social connection [$], Journal of Neuroscience (DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2826-19.2020)
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday June 21 2020, @01:26PM (1 child)
Nope, he's an idiot. My god is he stupid. I'm sorry that you're not bright enough to notice his inability to understand even basic English.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday June 22 2020, @02:27AM
His first language is Samian Greek, so you have to give him a break as a non-native speaker. And I suspect he is competent in more languages than you know exist, if you are the typical ignorant American.