Scientists built a new theoretical model that learns from interactions. Positive interactions strengthened connections, and negative interactions weakened connections. Model revealed that strong connections can lead to feedback loops and echo chambers. Findings extend to diverse spreading systems, from social ideas to infections to animal behavior to neural signals.

A new study is the first to show that two of our most sophisticated cognitive functions, using and understanding language and being able to sense how other people feel, have distinct origins in the brain in young children – matching what we know about the adult brain. The findings suggest that these separate but related ways of processing complex concepts, both uniquely human skills, do not originate from overlapping brain areas and grow more distinct as the mind matures, which challenges prior theories. Instead, our brains appear to have evolved with discrete architecture and wiring enabling these different kinds of thinking.