Social Neuroscience: Volume 8 and beyond

Since its first volume in 2006, Social Neuroscience has blazed a novel path within the neuroscience literature, highlighting the particular importance of the brain as the organ of our social lives, societies, and even broader cultural, legal, and political institutions. This venture required a particularly able and forward thinking scientist and editor (Jean Decety) who saw the special value of social neuroscience research. In their opening commentary for the journal, Decety and Keenan (2006) recognized that social neuroscience was “broadly defined as the exploration of the neurological underpinnings of the processes traditionally examined by, but not limited to, social psychology. This broad description provides a starting point from which we may examine the neuroscience of social behavior and cognition” (p. 1). That starting point has given rise to 7 years of scholarly dissemination. This has taken the form of not only peer review articles, but also special issues that tackled key concepts and dilemmas in the field, including deception, mirror neurons, interpersonal sensitivity, developmental social issues, psychiatric disorders, theory of mind, and others. A special issue on violence and aggression is forthcoming and adds to the important topics that the journal has been able to address.

With the broad expanse of neuroscience and behavioral research at the human and broader mammalian levels, it is reassuring to know that one can find a concentrated source of high-quality research regarding the social brain in Social Neuroscience without having to comb through numerous journals or suffer the constraints of limited search terms. Furthermore, the depth with which important constructs can be addressed in the journal is an added benefit, particularly when combined with the novel collaborations and multi-level analyses.

GOING FORWARD

Social Neuroscience will continue to publish high-quality manuscripts that significantly advance understanding of social behavior and brain. These will take the form of original scientific articles, commentaries, review papers, mini-symposia, and hypotheses that clarify current ambiguities, stir the imagination, identify new methods, and link together previously unrelated ideas. The journal will continue to add special issue topics that deserve in-depth attention, emphasize the importance of preclinical animal models in understanding social impairments and symptoms, and feature clinical translational studies involving treatment modalities and empirical analyses of social outcomes in a variety of diseases and conditions. Moreover, the journal will continue to meet the need to solidify the foundation of social neuroscience with the many advances that have evolved from social psychology research, social sciences research, and clinical research.

CHANGES TO THE JOURNAL

There are several priorities and challenges for Social Neuroscience in Volume 8 and beyond. Related to the aims mentioned above, the editorial board is being revitalized and broadened to continue to serve as the scholarly backbone of the journal. We will welcome nearly a dozen new members in the coming months, many of whom are listed in this issue. Two action editors have been recruited and will be actively involved in managing the processing and peer review of manuscript submissions, special issues, and other journal activities. These are Dr. Larry Young of the Yerkes National Primate Center and Emory University as well as Dr. Jorge Moll of the Cognitive Neuroscience Unit at the LABS-D'Or Hospital Network. The journal will also seek to link with emerging professional activities and societies that are of note to the social neuroscience community, with the intent of providing the most up-to-date and comprehensive coverage of scientific advances and professional activities within the field.

In the editorial transition of the journal, the staff at Taylor and Francis has been exceptionally responsive and supportive of the new editorial team, the journal, and its mission. I am indebted to them, founding editor Jean Decety, and the editorial board for their encouragement, insight, and enthusiasm. Dr. Decety will be continuing on the journal editorial board and contribute to the further progress of the journal. As always, you are encouraged to send your very best scientific work to the journal and your ideas for novel contributions.