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How other minds are represented in the human brain: Neural computations underlying Theory of Mind

Descrizione del progetto

Il lato sociale della nostra mente

La capacità di comprendere i pensieri o i sentimenti di altre persone è un aspetto fondamentale dell’apprendimento sociale. È spiegato dalla Teoria della Mente (ToM), che sostiene che specifiche aree del nostro cervello sono responsabili dell’inferenza degli stati mentali. I disturbi dello sviluppo in queste aree possono causare disturbi della comunicazione come si è visto per i disturbi autistici, ma ci sono significative lacune nella conoscenza. Il progetto ToMComputations, finanziato dall’UE, ricercherà i meccanismi ToM in collaborazione con un importante centro di neuroscienze cognitive. Un primo approccio computazionale sarà combinato con la risonanza magnetica funzionale, creando un quadro completo dei nostri processi cognitivi. Il risultato avrà una grande valenza per la ricerca clinica.

Obiettivo

Successful human social behaviour relies on an ability called Theory of Mind (ToM) – the ability to infer the mental states (beliefs, desires) of other people. ToM is the basis of human cooperation and prosocial behaviour, and its importance is dramatically demonstrated when it breaks down in various ways such as in autism or psychopathy. Unfortunately, ToM is often defined rather broadly, and little is known about the exact computations that are carried out in the brain when we think about other minds.
This project aims to provide a solid, formal understanding of the computations undertaken by our cognitive system during ToM, and their implementation in the brain. Two complementary approaches will be taken in separate brain imaging experiments using fMRI. First, a top-down approach will be employed, that uses complex verbal stimuli to study ToM in its widest variety. Second, a computationally well understood task paradigm will be adapted to a social setting, presenting quantitative stimuli that can be exactly captured by a formal model. Overlap in brain activation found by the two approaches will establish a comprehensive account of how the brain achieves this remarkable human ability.
The project will be carried out at one of Europe’s leading cognitive neuroscience centres under supervision of a research group that has recently pioneered the use of computational approaches to investigate higher-level human cognitive processes. This is an ideal set-up for transfer of knowledge from the host to the applicant (computational modeling) and vice-versa (applicant's anatomical knowledge gathered in Oxford). The project's interdisciplinary approach combines formal computational models with neuroimaging data, and will be one of the first to employ this technique to ask specific questions about Theory of Mind. Its implications can be directly translated to clinical research, and are also relevant for educational research.

Campo scientifico (EuroSciVoc)

Parole chiave

Programma(i)

Argomento(i)

Meccanismo di finanziamento

MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)

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Invito a presentare proposte

(si apre in una nuova finestra) H2020-MSCA-IF-2018

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Coordinatore

STICHTING RADBOUD UNIVERSITEIT
Contributo netto dell'UE
€ 187 572,48
Indirizzo
HOUTLAAN 4
6525 XZ Nijmegen
Paesi Bassi
Regione
Oost-Nederland Gelderland Arnhem/Nijmegen
Tipo di attività
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Collegamenti
Costo totale
€ 187 572,48