Understanding how people perceive social uncertainty and its effects on behavior.
Official title: Intersubject Synchrony in Neural and Behavioral Representations of Social Uncertainty Among Adults and Adolescents
Funded at Temple Univ of the Commonwealth · NIH-10932272 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Temple Univ of the Commonwealth NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2023 |
| Project end | September 19, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $35,681 |
| NIH project number | 5F99NS134208-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10932272 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include adolescents and adults who experience social anxiety or have conditions like autism spectrum disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not experience social uncertainty or have no interest in social cognition may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
Temple Univ of the Commonwealth
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mitchell, William John — Temple Univ of the Commonwealth
- Study coordinator: Mitchell, William John
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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.