How Social Signals Shape Learning

Imagine an infant who is carefully observing his mother eating a piece of apple. S/he observes her facial expression, analyses her reaction to the fruit, and learns that apples are a delicacy. An infant, who is just 12 months old, has this power because of the phenomenon called ‘social cognition’. Social cognition is the neural processes involved in social processing, which drive both automatic and voluntary actions and modulate behavioural responses. In this case, the sensations (e.g., light of a certain wavelength) turn into perceptions (e.g., the colour of the fruit) based on prior knowledge and current context. 

Then, decisions are made about what should best be done in response to these perceptions (e.g., How did my mother react to it? Should I eat it?). Actions are planned and finally output is initiated in the form of motor movements (e.g., grasping the fruit).  This learning phenomenon is not just limited to humans but extends to other non-human species. Does your dog react differently to what you’re trying to say by reading your facial expression, tone, and hand gestures? This is also the wonder of social cognition. 

Social signals are observable cues – like facial expressions, gestures and vocal intonations – that act as critical inputs for learning by reducing distractions within the environment and complementing personal experience. They facilitate the extraction of information about the state of the environment by providing indirect evidence about underlying variables. They are processed in specialised neural circuits that enable observational learning and the acquisition of information without direct experience. For example, research has shown that in rodents, neural pathways from the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) to the basolateral amygdala (BLA) mediate the transfer of social information, so that observing distress in fellow rodents can induce fear learning in the observer. 

In various other species, including primates and birds, mirror neurons and related circuits underpin the ability to imitate actions by mapping observed behaviours onto one’s motor repertoire. This imitation process is mediated by social signals that provide real-time feedback about the success or failure of particular actions, facilitating the updating of internal models and adaptive decision-making. Moreover, mathematical models developed in the animal behaviour literature illustrate that social information enhances the precision of environmental assessment even in variable ecological conditions that allow animals to optimise foraging, mating, migration, and other survival activities.

In humans, too, this phenomenon of observational learning is evident where the detection of social cues such as gaze direction or emotional expressions rapidly modulates neural activity in regions associated with attention and impact. Computational frameworks based on reinforcement learning, such as Rescorla-Wagner and Q-learning, have successfully modeled how the observation of others’ choices and rewards contributes to value updating and subjective decision-making in humans. These findings suggest that social signals not only trigger emotional responses but also contribute to forming longeraterm memory traces that guide future behaviour.

During infancy and childhood, social signals play a crucial role in cognitive and socio-cultural development. Infants are intrinsically sensitive to cues such as eye gaze, facial expressions, and prosody, which signal that accompanying information is meant to be learned. When infants observe the actions of caregivers, these social signals stimulate the refinement of neural models that facilitate the emergence of imitation, goal-directed behaviour, and even pro-social behaviours such as helping. Hence, it’s crucial to realise that every action taken around infants, even the ones that might seem trivial to the adults, is subconsciously shaping them to imitate, learn, and form habits and behaviours. 

Social signals are critical in shaping consumer behaviour through a process referred to as multidimensional observational learning, wherein potential buyers infer product qualities and suitability by observing the purchase decisions and endorsements of others.  On social networks, where users share their experiences with various products, the strength of social ties — measured by direct interactions like tagged photos and shared wall posts — can significantly enhance the reliability of these signals. 

Cultural transmission

The role of social signals extends beyond individual learning to encompass the broader process of cultural transmission. When individuals share information through social signaling — whether by speaking, gesturing, or transmitting digital content — they actively participate in the construction and dissemination of collective knowledge. In culturally complex societies, such signals are instrumental in forming and reinforcing social categories, group identities, and even shared belief systems that facilitate cooperation and coordination. Social signals are central to the emergence and maintenance of cultural norms and traditions, serving as the substrate upon which collective memory and identity are built.

Being aware of social signals allows us to regulate the kind of activities and behaviours we give more attention to. It also makes us informed about the types of leaders we select during elections, political propaganda, and the products we consume based on our favourite celebrities’ endorsement. Consequently, it allows us to make informed decisions about our activities that not only have impacts on the personal level but also shape our societal philosophies. It helps us build an informed community where everyone is aware of what they’re paying the most attention to.

(The writer is a freelancer. chiraagtimilsina@gmail.com)