Understanding how social status affects behavior and success in groups
Official title: Bayesian updating as a framework to predict the cognitive, neural and physiological mechanisms underlying social status
Funded at University of California at Davis · NIH-11064845 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how our past experiences shape our social standing in groups and why some people seem to do better than others in social situations, using a special method to understand these changes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $396,590 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM153309-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11064845 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would include individuals interested in the psychological and behavioral aspects of social interactions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not engaged in social behavior research or do not have an interest in social dynamics may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms that determine an individual's social status within group hierarchies, focusing on how past experiences influence current interactions. By employing a method called Bayesian updating, the study aims to model how individuals adjust their expectations based on previous outcomes in social contests. This approach will help clarify why some individuals consistently succeed while others do not, providing insights into the dynamics of social behavior. The findings could have implications for understanding social interactions in both animal and human contexts.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of social dynamics, potentially informing interventions for improving social interactions and mental health.
How similar studies have gone: While the application of Bayesian updating in social behavior research is relatively novel, similar approaches have shown promise in understanding decision-making processes in other contexts.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California at Davis
Davis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Laskowski, Kate — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Laskowski, Kate
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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.