Understanding how we interpret social cues from faces
Official title: Neural Mechanisms of Social Attribution from Faces
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11001189 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how our brains help us understand people based on their facial expressions, and it's for anyone interested in how we make social judgments from what we see on faces.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | December 15, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $656,642 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH134990-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11001189 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with autism spectrum disorder or those experiencing challenges in social interactions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have social perception difficulties or those without autism spectrum disorder may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the brain mechanisms that allow us to make social judgments based on facial cues. By using advanced recording techniques, the study aims to identify how visual features of faces are linked to our social knowledge over time. Participants may undergo various experimental manipulations to explore how these processes can be affected. The goal is to provide insights into the neural pathways that connect what we see with how we understand social interactions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of social cognition, potentially leading to better interventions for individuals with social perception difficulties, such as those with autism spectrum disorder.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding social cognition through neural mechanisms, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Parvizi, Josef — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Parvizi, Josef
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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.