Why do groups of people inflict violence on unarmed neighbors (think Germany, Rwanda, Darfur, Nanking....)? How do ingroups and outgroups form, neurally-speaking? How does social context and obedience to authority navigate mass behavior?
Here's my take on these questions, through the lens of neuroscience.
1. Introducing social neuroscience
2. Syndrome E - violence and group contagion
3. What makes us empathetic?
4. Peer pressure and obedience to authority
5. Re-humanisation and how we can curb violence
6. Q&A: David Eagleman on the science of de- (and re-) humanisation
