Project description
The social side of our mind
The ability to understand the thoughts or feelings of other people is a basic aspect of social learning. It’s depicted by the Theory of Mind (ToM), which holds that specific areas of our brain are responsible for inferring mental states. Developmental disorders in these areas can cause disturbances in communication as seen in autistic disorders but there are significant knowledge gaps. The EU-funded ToMComputations project will research ToM mechanisms in collaboration with a leading cognitive neuroscience centre. A first, computational approaches will be combined with functional magnetic resonance imagining, creating a comprehensive picture of our cognitive processes. The result will have important value for clinical research.
Objective
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.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences neurobiology cognitive neuroscience
- social sciences psychology cognitive psychology
You need to log in or register to use this function
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
-
H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme -
H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
See all projects funded under this programme
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2018
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
6525 XZ Nijmegen
Netherlands
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.