While watching the video, were you thinking about the intentions and feelings of the geometric shapes as if they were real beings?

This form of thinking happens automatically, without conscious effort on your part. Verbal and nonverbal cues help us infer the intentions, thoughts, and feelings of others.

This ability to make meaning is known as Social Intelligence and gives the human species its unique position in the animal kingdom.

Are we hardwired to infer thoughts and feelings from what might be subtle cues?

Where does Social Intelligence come from?

Is meaning making our default mode?

These brain areas together form an important network of the brain–Default Mode Network (DMN).

When we are not engaged in any EXTERNAL task, sitting alone lost in our thoughts, the DMN lights up like this:

DMN is involved when we consciously process information about others’ thoughts, intentions and feelings.

DMN is also involved in other functions like recalling personal memories and envisioning the future.

Do all humans have a similar ability for social information processing than others?

Do some have a better social information processing than others?

Schizophrenia is a disease where patients have reduced social information processing.