The Neuroscience of 'OTHERING'

Why does it matter that you understand it?

Sometimes there is a thread of discourse that is within the public domain that needs to be considered from a neuroscientific basis.

Let me remind you what neuroscience actually is -

The study of the nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. The brain controls every aspect of the body, from emotion and memory to basic bodily activities such as movement, breathing, and controlling the heartbeat.

Neuroscience is largely about the study of behaviour—why do we do what we do, and how does the brain carry out these tasks?

It is also concerned with the causes and treatment of nervous system disorders.

A lot of what is studied are around the interaction of individuals, groups and the external environment!

The neuroscience of ‘othering’ has significant implications on both individual and societal levels. Neurologically, ‘othering’ affects cognitive processes and biases, influencing how individuals perceive themselves and their place in society.

This phenomenon can lead to a range of psychological effects, such as:

Imposter Syndrome: Individuals, especially those from marginalised groups, may experience imposter syndrome, where they doubt their achievements and feel like outsiders due to internalised messages of otherness.

Cognitive Biases: ‘Othering’ can shape cognitive biases, altering the way people process information about those perceived as different^.

Social Conflict: By creating artificial dividing lines between “us” and “them,” ‘othering’ can fuel prejudice, discrimination, and even violence.

On a broader scale, ‘othering’ can deepen societal divisions, with historical roots that have shaped cultures and justified exclusion and oppression. It’s a persistent issue that has been a catalyst for conflict and war, often leading to dehumanisation and justification for acts of violence.

You may have noticed, if you are in the UK, that there has been a fair amount of ‘othering’ used for people who have disabilities in the past couple of weeks.

This is really interesting considering that we are entering local election season and all anticipating the general election.

The use of disabled people in political speeches for ‘othering’ can be attributed to several factors:

Stereotyping: Disabled individuals may be stereotyped in ways that politicians exploit to create a distinction between ‘us’ and 'them’.

Emotional Appeal: Politicians might use the challenges faced by disabled people to evoke emotional responses or to highlight policy positions.

Marginalisation: Disabled people are often marginalized in society, making them an easy target for ‘othering’ to appeal to majority groups.

Simplification: Complex issues are sometimes simplified by using vulnerable groups as symbols for broader societal problems.

The long-term consequences of using ‘othering’ in politics are significant and can lead to deep societal rifts.

Here are some of the key impacts:

Increased Polarisation: It can exacerbate political polarisation, casting rivals as alien and morally contemptible, which hinders constructive dialogue and compromise.

Social Fragmentation: ‘Othering’ can fuel prejudice, discrimination, and even violence, leading to a fragmented society marked by conflict.

Erosion of Trust: It undermines trust in political institutions and leaders, as groups feel marginalised and excluded from the political process.

Impediment to Progress: By focusing on divisions, ‘othering’ can stall progress on important social issues and policy development.

Global Manipulation: A deeply divided society is more vulnerable to manipulation by external forces, including home or foreign powers that wish to exploit internal tensions.

The Neurotransmitters We Need for ProSocial Behaviours

Prosocial behavior, which includes acts of kindness, cooperation, and empathy, is influenced by several neurotransmitters.

Some of the key ones are:

1. Oxytocin (OXT): Often referred to as the “love hormone,” OXT plays a central role in prosocial behaviors. It promotes social bonding, trust, and maternal care. OXT is associated with empathy, altruism, and positive social interactions.

2. Serotonin (5-HT): Serotonin affects mood, emotions, and social behaviour. It contributes to prosocial behaviors by regulating mood, reducing aggression, and promoting cooperation. Dysregulation of serotonin is linked to mood disorders and social deficits^.

3. Dopamine (DA): Dopamine is involved in reward processing and motivation. It influences prosocial behaviors by reinforcing positive social interactions. Dysregulation of dopamine can impact social reward and sociability.

4. Endorphins: Endorphins are natural opioids released during positive experiences, such as social bonding or helping others. They contribute to feelings of pleasure and reinforce prosocial behaviors.

5. Vasopressin (Avp): Similar to oxytocin, vasopressin is involved in social bonding and attachment. It plays a role in paternal care and territorial behaviour. Dysregulation of vasopressin can affect social interactions.

6. GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid): Although primarily inhibitory, GABA modulates social behavior by regulating anxiety and stress responses. Balanced GABA levels contribute to adaptive prosocial interactions.

7. Glutamate: Glutamate, the primary excitatory neurotransmitter, is involved in various cognitive processes, including social cognition. It influences prosocial behaviors by facilitating communication between brain regions.

These neurotransmitters interact within neural circuits to shape prosocial behaviours.

Understanding their roles helps us appreciate the complexity of social interactions and empathy. When we consider some of the illnesses, conditions and societal fractures that are quite literally endemic, it all starts to make sense!

There are specific brain regions that are associated with empathy and altruism. These include:

Right Supramarginal Gyrus: This region helps us distinguish our own emotional state from that of others and is responsible for empathy and compassion.

Temporoparietal Junction (TPJ): Involved in perspective-taking and empathy, the TPJ is active when we think about the thoughts and feelings of others.

Medial Prefrontal Cortex (mPFC): This area is associated with understanding others’ intentions and social cognition.

Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC): The ACC is linked to emotional processing and empathy, particularly in response to others’ pain or distress.

Insula: The insula is involved in emotional awareness and empathy, especially in recognizing and responding to the emotions of others.

Orbital Frontal Cortex: This region is implicated in decision-making and emotional processing related to empathy and altruism.

Amygdala: Known for its role in emotion and fear, the amygdala is also involved in processing social information and empathy.

These regions work together to process empathetic and altruistic behaviors, allowing us to understand and share the feelings of others, and to act with kindness and generosity.

Understanding the neural basis of these behaviours can help in developing strategies to promote empathy and altruism in society.

Is the state of the UK really the fault of sick, unwell, disabled people?

I think it is hugely more complex than that.

I would intend that the rest of the UK can understand that too!

I also do not see any policies or strategies to prevent unwellness, sickness or indeed promotion of optimal health.

I see gutter politics that are seeking to project, distract, deflect and blame others for the problems of society.

It is really important that we do not submit (for our own health, wellbeing and oppportunities) to this kind of rhetoric and narrative.

We need to remember that we ar stronger together not tearing each other apart.

How do we know if we are ‘othering’?

Individuals can recognise if they are ‘othering’ by reflecting on their thoughts and behaviours towards others.

Here are some signs that may indicate ‘othering’:

Attributing positive qualities to people who are like you and negative qualities to those who are different.

Believing that people who are different from you or your social group pose a threat to your way of life.

Feeling distrustful or upset with people of a social group even though you don’t know anyone from that group.

Refusing to interact with people because they are different from you or your social group.

Thinking that people outside your social group are not as intelligent, skilled, or as special as you and your group.

Thinking of people only in terms of their relationship with specific social groups without giving any thought to them as individuals.

Understanding and overcoming ‘othering’ is crucial for building an inclusive and empathetic world. Education and policies play a vital role in dismantling the pervasive walls of prejudice and promoting a society where differences are not sources of division but are embraced as part of the human experience.

Unlearning ‘othering’ behaviours is basically a dual process of self-reflection and active change.

Here are some practical steps to help with this process:

Self-Reflection: Take time to reflect on your own beliefs and behaviours. Ask yourself where these beliefs come from and if they align with the inclusive values you want to uphold.

Educate Yourself: Learn about different cultures, identities, and experiences. This can be through books, documentaries, or engaging with content created by people from diverse backgrounds^.

Challenge Stereotypes: When you recognise a stereotype, question its validity and seek out counterexamples that disprove the generalised belief.

Listen and Empathize: Actively listen to the experiences of others, especially those who have been marginalised or ‘othered’. Try to understand their perspective and empathise with their situation.

Expand Your Social Circle: Make a conscious effort to build relationships with people who are different from you. This can help break down barriers and reduce ‘us vs. them’ thinking.

Speak Up: When you witness ‘othering’, whether in person or online, use your voice to challenge it. This can help create a more inclusive environment for everyone.

Mindfulness and Meditation: Practices like mindfulness and meditation can help you become more aware of your thoughts and biases, allowing you to actively work on changing them.

Seek Feedback: Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback on your behaviours and be open to constructive criticism. This can help you identify areas where you may be unintentionally ‘othering’ others.

Support Inclusive Policies: Advocate for and support policies and initiatives that promote equity for all.

Continuous Learning: Recognise that unlearning ‘othering’ is an ongoing process. Commit to continuous learning and growth to become more inclusive in your thoughts and actions.

Remember, unlearning is not a one-time event but a continuous journey of growth and understanding.

It makes me extremely uncomfortable to hear extreme discourse coming from the prime minister in the UK. It seems, however, that this kind of politics is the norm not the exception.

How extreme politics can affect our cognitive processes is quite complex. It’s not that it makes us “stupid,” but rather, it can influence the way we think and process information. Extreme political beliefs can lead to cognitive rigidity, where individuals may become more resistant to changing their views in the face of contradictory evidence. This rigidity can impair decision-making and lead to biases, such as rejecting information that doesn’t align with one’s political views^,

Moreover, extreme political action can be associated with certain cognitive and emotional traits. For example, traits like cognitive rigidity, slower perceptual strategies, and poorer executive functions are linked to heightened endorsement for ideological violence. Emotionally, characteristics like sensation-seeking and impulsivity, which are associated with emotional reactivity and impaired emotional regulation, can facilitate readiness for extreme political action.

It’s important to understand that these cognitive and emotional dynamics can have a significant impact on political behaviour and decision-making.

‘Othering’ is a definite strategy that should have no place in being used by leaders to cover up bad policy making.

It should also not be tolerated by us in the public domain as it is bad for our health, our wellbeing and our ability to be strong, coherent communities.

But we are strong, each in our purpose, and we are all more strong together