Ben Becker
@bn_becker
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Professor (Full) of Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience at The University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Joined August 2017
Humans aren’t just rational “Homo economicus.” In #UltimatumGame , unfairness sparks #anger #disgust. Our 25-yr #fMRI #metaanalysis maps the brain circuits - negative #emotions drive punishment of unfairness. In NBR Congrats Xianyang Gan! https://t.co/LAqlQU8LlA
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How our #brain shapes and is shaped by interactions with #AI #chatbots #ChatGPT #MentalHealth #neuroscience #psychology thanks for featuring our work
Did you know your brain treats conversations with AI chatbots almost like talking to real people? 🚀🧠🤖 HKU's Professor @bn_becker explores the benefits and risks of constant engagement with digital agents for Gen Z and Gen Alpha. Learn more at https://t.co/UHu185Nma3
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Did you know your brain treats conversations with AI chatbots almost like talking to real people? 🚀🧠🤖 HKU's Professor @bn_becker explores the benefits and risks of constant engagement with digital agents for Gen Z and Gen Alpha. Learn more at https://t.co/UHu185Nma3
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Opportunity: work with us at @HKUniversity as young talent (research assistant professor) in #psychology #AI #neuroscience #computational #cognition #RAP #assistantprofessor
https://t.co/x932H8ce2p
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Nature The brain fires up immune cells when sick people are nearby When people viewed virtual avatars with coughs or rashes, their brains triggered an immune response. https://t.co/EEZtPSjoro
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Your Profile - strong academic background: psychology, neuroscience, biomed engineering, computer science, AI , etc - Programming fMRI, AI, machine learning, or experimental design experience - High levels of motivation, independence, and collaborative spirit
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Why Join Us? Top-ranked university: #11 globally, #2 in Asia Interdisciplinary and international team ( https://t.co/VT7A7gqWnh ) Experienced mentor: Dynamic environment in Hong Kong:
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Research: brain imaging (fMRI), neural decoding, machine learning, and cognitive-affective neuroscience to investigate how the human brain constructs emotion and motivation, how they relate to mental health and can be modulated by AI, neurostimulation, pharmaco enhancement
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Call for PhD Applications 2026: Brain Imaging, Psychology, Mental Health and AI Prof. Benjamin Becker, The University of Hong Kong We invite highly motivated candidates to apply for PhD positions starting in 2026, supervisor, Professor Dr. rer nat. Benjamin Becker
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Summary: social and network-level mechanisms of oxytocin’s fear-reducing effects in naturalistic settings, step toward precision neurotherapeutics for #social #anxiety #fear Congrats to Fu Kun, splending collaboration with Liang Zhen and Zhao Weihua link https://t.co/tbCA7mJcik
advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
This double-blind, placebo-controlled study demonstrates that intranasal oxytocin reduces subjective fear in immersive, naturalistic social (but not non-social) contexts. Concomitant fMRI reveals...
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In Nature Comm: #brain #fMRI marker of emotional intensity #arousal that distinguishes conscious feelings from automatic reactions, even in imagination. Insights for #AI, #BCI,mental health. Congrats to Ran Zhang and Zhou Feng #emotion
nature.com
Nature Communications - Using fMRI, this study developed a brain signature for affective arousal that demonstrates high sensitivity across valence while remaining distinct from autonomic arousal...
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Our new paper on Maslow's need theory in the age of AI is out! Thanks to my colleagues A. Mehdi Riazi, George Mikros, @bn_becker & Raian Ali for their support. Read here:
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Big congrats to all newly minted PhD and MSc students from our lab in summer 2025, Xianyang Gan and Mercy C. Bore (PhD), Xi Yang (PhD, Maastricht University); Jingxian He, Kun Fu, Dan Liu (MSc). Well done and wishing you all the best for the future!
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I wish people would stop sharing this article without evaluating it. One might not like AI but that doesn't make a paper critical of it of value because of that. That's not how science works.
BREAKING: MIT just completed the first brain scan study of ChatGPT users & the results are terrifying. Turns out, AI isn't making us more productive. It's making us cognitively bankrupt. Here's what 4 months of data revealed: (hint: we've been measuring productivity all wrong)
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HKU has reached an unprecedented milestone, climbing to 11th place in the 2026 #QS World University Rankings @worlduniranking. This achievement marks the second consecutive year of record-breaking, following its rise to 17th globally in 2025. HKU has also solidified its position
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Sometimes you need to be told to shut the fuck up, Donny. My story of moderating psychology's civil war, complete with sock puppets, drama, and the naive belief that academics could discuss their crumbling field civilly. Spoiler: they couldn't. New post.
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Prof Edmund Sonuga-Barke spoke with the @BBCOne Show [segment 11:42-16:14] on how many parents struggle to support their children with #ADHD, especially if they also have the condition. https://t.co/adWB4nuJOy
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