Why do groups of people inflict violence on unarmed neighbors (think Germany, Rwanda, Darfur, Nanking....)? How do ingroups and outgroups form, neurally-speaking?  How does social context and obedience to authority navigate mass behavior?  

Here's my take on these questions, through the lens of neuroscience.

1. Introducing social neuroscience

 2. Syndrome E - violence and group contagion

3. What makes us empathetic?

4. Peer pressure and obedience to authority

 5. Re-humanisation and how we can curb violence

6. Q&A: David Eagleman on the science of de- (and re-) humanisation