Lower Gray Matter in Empathy Region Tied to Support for Group Hierarchy

October 8, 2026 - 19:59

New research suggests that a person's preference for social hierarchy may be reflected in both brain structure and motivation. Scientists found that individuals who score higher on social dominance orientation, a measure of support for group-based inequality, tend to have less gray matter in a brain region linked to empathy and emotional processing.

The study examined how people view relationships between social groups. Those with a stronger social dominance orientation are more likely to accept or favor hierarchies where some groups hold more power and status than others. The findings point to a connection between this worldview and physical differences in the brain.

The region in question plays a role in understanding the feelings of others and responding to emotional cues. A reduction in gray matter there could relate to how easily a person recognizes or shares another's emotional state. However, the researchers note that the relationship is not necessarily one of cause and effect. Brain structure can change over time based on experience, and it is possible that both biology and social environment shape each other.

The work adds to a growing body of research exploring how attitudes about inequality relate to neural and psychological factors. It also raises questions about whether empathy can be strengthened, and whether doing so might shift how people think about group differences. Further studies will be needed to clarify these links and to understand what they mean for society.