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Free keywords:
Social brain, art, iconoclasm, terrorism, oxytocin, aggression
Abstract:
Destruction of cultural heritage and art works by terrorist groups has significant psychological effects for individuals and communities. This article outlines how the negative psychological effects of iconoclasm and arts destruction might be rooted in the human social brain. The proposed neurocognitive mechanisms include: (i) associative learning mechanisms (memory-reward links), (ii) neuroendocrine mechanisms (oxytocin and prolactin-reward links), and (iii) social touch mechanisms (C-t cutaneous mechanoreceptor-reward links). Iconoclasm and arts destruction are a threat to the stability of human psychological systems.
