Pascal Molenberghs: The Neuroscience of Tribalism and Xenophobia and Their Impact on Society

Two interrelated features of the brains of humans and other social animals is that they develop attractions for kin and other members of their local community (tribalism) and perceive strangers as potential threats (xenophobia). Historically, tribalism and xenophobia are of fundamental importance in unnecessary suffering and death from isolated domestic incidents to major wars. It is therefore important to understand both the psychology and neuroscience of tribalism and xenophobia. Pascal Molenberghs is a social neuroscientist who has studied the neural networks that mediate the cognitive processing and decision-making involved in xenophobic beliefs and actions. Here I talk with him about the far-reaching implications of this research for a wide range of issues including religions, politics, and dehumanization. 

LINKS:

The neuroscience of intergroup threat and violence:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9620594/pdf/main.pdf

The neuroscience of in-group bias:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6174241/pdf/fpsyg-09-01868.pdf

Empathy:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3644680/pdf/fnhum-07-00176.pdf