Understanding how people perceive social uncertainty and its effects on behavior.

Intersubject Synchrony in Neural and Behavioral Representations of Social Uncertainty Among Adults and Adolescents

NIH-funded research Temple Univ of the Commonwealth · NIH-10932272

This study is looking at how teenagers and adults think and feel when they're unsure about what others believe or intend, using brain scans while they watch videos, to help us understand how uncertainty impacts our emotions and thoughts, which could be useful for mental health.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionTemple Univ of the Commonwealth NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Philadelphia, United States)
Project IDNIH-10932272 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how individuals, both adolescents and adults, perceive and respond to social uncertainty, such as judging others' beliefs and intentions. By using innovative techniques to analyze brain activity while participants watch narrative videos, the study aims to uncover the neural mechanisms behind these judgments. Participants will continuously rate their certainty about social and non-social outcomes, providing valuable insights into how uncertainty affects emotional and cognitive processes. The findings could help improve our understanding of social cognition and its implications for mental health.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include adolescents and adults who experience social anxiety or have conditions like autism spectrum disorder.

Not a fit: Patients who do not experience social uncertainty or have no interest in social cognition may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better strategies for managing anxiety and improving social interactions for individuals facing uncertainty.

How similar studies have performed: While the approach of using intersubject correlations in neuroimaging is relatively novel, similar studies have shown promise in understanding social cognition.

Where this research is happening

Philadelphia, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Affective DisordersAnxiety Disorders
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.