Matt Lieberman: The neuroscientist mapping our 'social brains'

WISE NEWS PRESS / LOS ANGELES, USA — JAN. 4, 2026

Matthew D. Lieberman, a distinguished professor of Psychology, Psychiatry, and Biobehavioral Sciences at UCLA, is revolutionizing our understanding of human nature through the lens of "Social Neuroscience." As the founder of the UCLA Social Cognitive Neuroscience Lab (SCN Lab), Lieberman's groundbreaking research argues that the human brain is fundamentally wired to connect with others.

Often referred to by his handle @social_brains, Lieberman has spent decades providing scientific evidence that our social needs are as primary as our need for food and shelter. His work challenges the traditional view of the self as an independent entity, suggesting instead that we are built to be social creatures first and foremost.

The 'default' social network

One of Lieberman's key findings centers on the brain's "default mode network." His research demonstrates that when the brain is at rest and not focused on a specific task, it automatically switches to a neural network dedicated to thinking about other people and social relationships.

This implies that our brain's "factory setting" is social. "We are wired to be social," Lieberman asserts in his book Social: Why Our Brains Are Wired to Connect. This evolutionary adaptation likely ensured survival by keeping early humans connected to their groups.

Social pain is real pain

Perhaps Lieberman's most famous contribution is the discovery that the brain processes social pain—such as rejection, heartbreak, or exclusion—using the same neural circuits as physical pain.

Using fMRI technology, Lieberman and his team showed that the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, a region associated with the distress of physical injury, also lights up during episodes of social rejection. This finding explains why being "hurt" by words or actions feels so visceral and real.

Innovation and future work

Beyond academia, Lieberman is the co-founder of Resonance.info, a venture that likely applies his insights on social connection to technology and artificial intelligence. He continues to share his expertise on human behavior through his Substack, bridging the gap between complex neuroscience and the general public.

Lieberman’s work serves as a powerful reminder that in an increasingly digital and isolated world, our biological imperative remains clear: we are designed to connect.

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