How social influence affects decision-making about effort in people with schizophrenia
Official title: The Effect of Social Influence on Effort-Cost Decision-Making in Schizophrenia: From Mechanisms to Real-World Associations
Funded at Washington University · NIH-10891426 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how friends and social situations affect the choices people with schizophrenia make about putting in effort for rewards, and it hopes to find out if support from others can help boost their motivation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | July 5, 2023 |
| Project end | July 4, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $48,974 |
| NIH project number | 5F31MH132276-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10891426 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia who experience difficulties in motivated behavior and decision-making.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have schizophrenia or related disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how social influences, such as peer decisions, impact the way individuals with schizophrenia make choices about expending effort for rewards. It aims to understand the mechanisms behind effort-cost decision-making (ECDM) deficits in schizophrenia and explore whether social encouragement can enhance motivation in these individuals. By using methods like functional MRI and ecological momentary assessments, the study will analyze how social context can potentially improve decision-making in real-world scenarios for those affected by this disorder.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for improving motivation and decision-making in individuals with schizophrenia.
How similar studies have gone: While there is limited literature on the role of social influence in effort decision-making for schizophrenia, some evidence suggests that social encouragement may enhance effort expenditure in these individuals.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Merchant, Jaisal Taara — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Merchant, Jaisal Taara
Related research
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Understanding how people with schizophrenia make decisions about effort and rewards
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.