A key challenge for neurobiological models of social cognition is to elucidate whether brain regions are specialised for that domain. In recent years, discussion surrounding the role of anterior temporal regions epitomises such debates; some argue the anterior temporal lobe (ATL) is part of a domain-specific network for social processing, while others claim it comprises a domain-general hub for semantic representation. In the present study, we used ATL-optimised fMRI to map the contribution of different ATL structures to a variety of paradigms frequently used to probe a crucial social ability, namely 'theory of mind' (ToM). Using multiple tasks enables a clearer attribution of activation to ToM as opposed to idiosyncratic features of stimuli. Further, we directly explored whether these same structures are also activated by a non-social task probing semantic representations. We revealed that common to all of the tasks was activation of a key ventrolateral ATL region that is often invisible to standard fMRI. This constitutes novel evidence in support of the view that the ventrolateral ATL contributes to social cognition via a domain-general role in semantic processing and against claims of a specialised social function. 

/pdf/the-role-of-the-ventrolateral-anterior-temporal-lobes-in-3eov9oeg.pdf

The role of the ventrolateral anterior temporal lobes in social cognition

Abstract Language and social cognition are traditionally studied as separate cognitive domains, yet accumulative studies reveal overlapping neural correlates at the left ventral temporoparietal junction (vTPJ) and lateral anterior temporal lobe (lATL), which have been attributed to sentence processing and social concept activation. We propose a common cognitive component underlying both effects -- social-semantic working memory. We confirmed two key predictions of our hypothesis using fMRI: First, the left vTPJ and lATL showed sensitivity to sentences only when the sentences conveyed social meaning.; second, these regions showed persistent social-semantic-selective activity after the linguistic stimuli disappeared. We additionally found that both regions were sensitive to the socialness of nonlinguistic stimuli and were more tightly connected with the social-semantic-processing areas than with the sentence-processing areas. The converging evidence indicates the social-semantic-working-memory function of the left vTPJ and lATL and challenges the general-semantic and/or syntactic accounts for the neural activity of these regions. 

/pdf/a-social-semantic-working-memory-account-for-two-canonical-1jpp5wsb.pdf

A social-semantic-working-memory account for two canonical language areas

/pdf/a-semantic-cognition-contribution-to-mood-and-anxiety-i9hs4474.pdf

A Semantic Cognition Contribution to Mood and Anxiety Disorder Pathophysiology

Patients with semantic dementia have degraded conceptual knowledge, accompanied by atrophy of ATL; however, the organisation of ATL is less well-understood, due to signal loss/distortions in ATL in fMRI. We used MBME acquisition and the HCPex-Glasser parcellation to investigate how parcels within ATL respond across different types of semantic content (emotional, contextual, associative, feature) in generative and matching tasks. Areas closer to auditory cortex activated more for associative and emotion-based semantics. An intermediate area nearer to visual cortex was more multi-modal, with equal recruitment across judgments (associative/feature) and generation (emotion/context). The parcel closest to vision activated more for context than emotion. Recruitment was stronger for initial generation than switching to a second association, regardless of content, across ATL parcels. Left ATL activated more than right ATL across content and process (except aSTG). Our results are consistent with the graded-hub-perspective, showing graded transitions from both dorsal and medial ATL towards vATL.

/pdf/graded-functional-changes-in-atl-reflect-both-semantic-2fvf95ob.pdf

Graded functional changes in ATL reflect both semantic content and process

This theme issue aims to view the literature on concepts through a novel lens, that of social interaction and its influence on inner experiences. It discusses unsolved problems in literature on concepts, emphasizing the distinction between concrete versus abstract concepts and external versus internal grounding. This introductory article reflects the two research streams that the theme aims to bridge—in this area, the dimension of embodied interaction with others and how this influences the interaction with ourselves is still underexplored. In the first part, we discuss recent trends in social cognition, showing how interacting with others influences our concepts. In the second part, we address how social interactions become part of our inner world in a Vygotskian fashion. First, we illustrate how interoception, emotion and metacognition are connected with concepts and knowledge. Second, we deal with how language, in both its outer and inner form, can empower cognition and concepts. We also briefly describe how novel experimental and computational methods contribute to investigating the online use of concepts. Overall, this introductory article outlines the potentialities of an integrated and interactive approach that can give new, fresh life to a topic, that of concepts, which lies at the root of human cognition. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Concepts in interaction: social engagement and inner experiences’. 

Concepts in interaction: social engagement and inner experiences

concepts, like justice and friendship, are central features of our daily lives. Traditionally, abstract concepts are distinguished from other concepts in that they cannot be directly experienced through the senses. As such, they pose a challenge for strongly embodied models of semantic representation that assume a central role for sensorimotor information. There is growing recognition, however, that it is possible for meaning to be 'grounded' via cognitive systems, including those involved in processing language and emotion. In this article, we focus on the specific proposal that social significance is a key feature in the representation of some concepts. We begin by reviewing recent evidence in favour of this proposal from the fields of psycholinguistics and neuroimaging. We then discuss the limited extent to which there is consensus about the definition of 'socialness' and propose essential next steps for research in this domain. Taking one such step, we describe preliminary data from an unprecedented large-scale rating study that can help determine how socialness is distinct from other facets of word meaning. We provide a backdrop of contemporary theories regarding semantic representation and social cognition and highlight important predictions for both brain and behaviour. This article is part of the theme issue 'Concepts in interaction: social engagement and inner experiences'. 

/pdf/social-semantics-the-organization-and-grounding-of-abstract-3r8nh8ya.pdf

Amalini Fernando

Papers

The role of the ventrolateral anterior temporal lobes in social cognition

Social semantics: the organization and grounding of abstract concepts