The Social Brain with Xiaosi Gu

How do social norms, pressures, and expectations affect decision-making? How do our brains adapt to shifting social situations, such as the pandemic, natural disasters, or changes in social norms–and how can that be studied?

Xiaosi Gu is a professor of psychiatry and neuroscience and the director of the Center for Computational Psychiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Her research examines the neural and computational mechanisms underlying human beliefs, emotions, decision making, and social interactions—in both health and disease—through a synthesis of neuroscience, cognitive science, and behavioral economics. She is the co-developer of the Social Brain app, which uses games and participatory narratives to measure the relationship between social behaviors and mental health.

This edition of Secret Science Club is part of the Dana Foundation Neuroscience & Society Talk Series and supported by the Dana Foundation as part of its Dana Education program. The Foundation’s mission is to advance neuroscience that benefits society and reflects the aspirations of all people.

The Secret Science Club is a science lecture, arts, and performance series, curated by Dorian Devins and Margaret Mittelbach. This event was held at The Bell House on December 12, 2022.