What is it about?
This study introduces a video-based fMRI task that allows dissociating the neural networks underlying our ability to feel with (empathy) and understand (Theory of Mind) others. Several validations were undertaken including the direct linking of brain activity in these networks to behavioral empathy and Theory of Mind. Additionally, the task measures the capacity to feel for others, that is, feelings of compassion and loving-kindness.
Featured Image
Why is it important?
The complex social lives of humans require that we understand what others think and feel. This study demonstrates that it is possible to (1) directly measure both, the affective and cognitive routes to representing others' states, and (2) dissociate them in a real-life-like communicative situation.
Perspectives
Constructing this task was tremendous fun (and work - thanks to all co-authors), because the recording of the video communications was an entirely new role for me, having mainly acted as psychologist before. It is also a very crucial study, because it will allow us to elucidate the specific deficits underlying people's problems in social interactions and thereby find specific interventions to ameliorate them.
Philipp Kanske
Technische Universitat Dresden
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Dissecting the social brain: Introducing the EmpaToM to reveal distinct neural networks and brain–behavior relations for empathy and Theory of Mind, NeuroImage, November 2015, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2015.07.082.
You can read the full text:
Resources
Contributors
The following have contributed to this page
