Social perception refers to initial stages in the processing of information
that culminates in the accurate analysis of the dispositions and intention
s of other individuals. Single-cell recordings in monkeys, and neurophysiol
ogical and neuroimaging studies in humans, reveal that cerebral cortex in a
nd near the superior temporal sulcus (STS) region is an important component
of this perceptual system. In monkeys and humans, the STS region is activa
ted by movements of the eyes, mouth, hands and body, suggesting that it is
involved in analysis of biological motion. However, it is also activated by
static images of the face and body, suggesting that it is sensitive to imp
lied motion and more generally to stimuli that signal the actions of anothe
r individual. Subsequent analysis of socially relevant stimuli is carried o
ut in the amygdala and orbitofrontal cortex, which supports a three-structu
re model proposed by brothers. The homology of human and monkey areas invol
ved in social perception, and the functional interrelationships between the
STS region and the ventral face area. are unresolved issues.