#129 - Notes on Learning, Interactions and Relationships
Education Coffee is a 2xWeekly Newsletter on People, Ideas and Culture.
Why #LearningResearch?
My thinking on learning has evolved considerably over time. I have built on the work of so many educators and researchers. I am grateful to them for the work they do and the time they took from their schedules to document what they saw and observed in a variety of learning environments. In education like in every other field we must build on the work of others. There are teachers, principals and researchers across the world that may have faced the same problems you face today. In this series of #EducationCoffee newsletters I aim to summarize the work of these thinkers in the most accessible way possible. I will add links to help you with further research.
Kay Tye on Social Interactions
Dr. Kay Tye is a neuroscientist known for her groundbreaking research on the brain circuits that regulate social interactions, emotions, and motivation. Her work focuses on identifying the neural mechanisms underlying anxiety, depression, addiction, and social behaviors, particularly in relation to psychiatric disorders.
Key Findings from her Research
Neural Circuits of Social Behavior
Dr. Tye’s lab has identified specific brain circuits in the amygdala and prefrontal cortex that influence social interaction, particularly in conditions like social anxiety and autism.
She discovered that dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) play a role in social motivation.
Fear and Anxiety Mechanisms
Her research on the amygdala revealed how different neural populations regulate fear and anxiety, showing that distinct circuits can either promote fear responses or suppress them.
Brain Circuits of Reward and Motivation
She has studied how the mesolimbic dopamine system regulates reward-seeking and motivation, particularly in relation to addiction and depression.
Social Homeostasis Hypothesis
One of her major contributions is the idea that the brain maintains a set point for social interaction, similar to homeostasis for food and sleep. If social needs aren’t met, the brain triggers craving-like behavior for social contact, explaining why loneliness can have such strong psychological effects.
Optogenetics and Circuit Manipulation
Using optogenetics (a technique that uses light to control neurons), her lab has been able to precisely activate or inhibit neural circuits, providing causal evidence for how different parts of the brain regulate social and emotional behaviors.
Implications of her Work
Dr. Tye’s research has major implications for understanding and treating mental health disorders, including depression, social anxiety, autism spectrum disorders, and addiction. By identifying specific neural circuits involved in positive and negative emotional states, her work is paving the way for targeted interventions in psychiatry and neuroscience.
Here is video presentation where Dr. Tye talks about some of these ideas.
Allan Schore on Early Relationships
Dr. Allan Schore is the author of eight seminal volumes, including Affect Regulation and the Origin of the Self, Affect Dysregulation and Disorders of the Self, Affect Regulation and the Repair of the Self, The Science of the Art of Psychotherapy, Right Brain Psychotherapy, and The Development of the Unconscious Mind as well as numerous articles and chapters. His Regulation Theory, grounded in developmental neuroscience and developmental psychoanalysis, focuses on the origin, psychopathogenesis, and psychotherapeutic treatment of the early forming subjective implicit self.
His work integrates psychology, neuroscience, and developmental science to explain how early life experiences shape emotional development and relational patterns.
Key Insights from his Research
Right Brain and Emotion Regulation – Schore emphasizes that the right hemisphere of the brain, which develops earlier than the left, plays a crucial role in processing emotions and forming secure relationships. It governs nonverbal communication, emotional intuition, and social bonding.
Attachment and Brain Development – Secure attachment in early childhood fosters healthy brain development, particularly in areas responsible for emotional regulation and resilience. In contrast, neglect or trauma can lead to dysregulation and difficulties in forming stable relationships.
The Role of Caregivers – A caregiver’s ability to attune to an infant’s emotional needs shapes the child’s capacity to regulate stress, develop empathy, and engage in healthy relationships later in life.
Affect Regulation and Mental Health – The ability to manage emotions (affect regulation) is central to psychological well-being. Early relational experiences influence whether an individual develops adaptive or maladaptive ways of handling stress and interpersonal challenges.
Implicit Communication in Relationships – Much of human bonding occurs at a subconscious level through facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language. Emotional connection is deeply rooted in nonverbal cues rather than just verbal interactions.
Trauma and Relational Patterns – Early trauma or attachment disruptions can lead to difficulties in forming secure relationships, often manifesting as anxiety, avoidance, or emotional dysregulation in adulthood. Healing often requires relational experiences that promote safety and co-regulation.
Impact of his Work - Schore’s research has had a profound impact on fields like psychotherapy, attachment theory, trauma treatment, and developmental psychology. His insights emphasize that relationships are not just psychological but deeply biological, shaped by early emotional experiences and brain development.
Here is video interview with Dr. Schore talking about some of these ideas.
Notes and Links
Dr. Kay Tye Profile – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kay_Tye
Dr. Kat Tye Research – https://www.salk.edu/scientist/kay-tye/
Image Credit – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kay_tye.jpg
Dr. Schore Work – https://www.allanschore.com/
Abhishek Shetty