The Social Self: Neural Foundations of Our Connected Identity
bstract
This article explores the concept of the “Social Self” as a psychological construct rooted in the complex interactions between the limbic system and the neocortex. Drawing on current neuroscientific evidence, it examines the neural circuits responsible for processing emotions, attitudes, and moods that shape our identity in relation to others. The specific contributions of regions such as the amygdala, insula, dopaminergic reward system, medial prefrontal cortex, and temporoparietal junction to the formation of the social self are outlined. Subsequently, the article identifies the corresponding psychological domains of the social self, including social cognition, empathy, emotional regulation in interpersonal contexts, attachment, and group identity, illustrating how the health and balance of these neural circuits are fundamental for a functional “social self” and for overall psychological well-being.