Kent psychologists are embarking on research that will explore how people’s social interaction skills are linked to their cognitive function.
As part of the project – which aims to explore how ageing might affect social interaction – the researchers are inviting volunteers aged from 9-91 to participate in the study.
A vital part of everyday social interaction is the ability to infer information about others, for instance their emotions, visual perspective and language. Development of these social skills, known as Theory of Mind (ToM), has been linked to improvements in more general cognitive skills, called Executive Functions (EF).
However, to date very little is known about how this link varies with advancing age, and no model exists to explain the relationship. The research project will systematically explore the cognitive basis of social communication and how this changes across the life-span.
The researchers, led by Dr Heather Ferguson of the University’s School of Psychology, are seeking male and female participants who are aged anywhere between 9 and 91 years old.
To take part in the study, participants must additionally be native English-speakers, have normal vision (or corrected-to normal vision using glasses or contact lenses), no learning disabilities, no current mental health diagnosis, and no diagnosis of autism, epilepsy, dementia or history of stroke.
Participants will fill out a questionnaire about themselves, including how they’re feeling, companionship, their physical activity and social life. They will also complete a series of computer tasks and listen to stories that assess social skills and other cognitive abilities, such as memory. Participants will be rewarded with £30 cash and reimbursement of travel expenses.
Further details are available here or by emailing CogSoCoAGE@kent.ac.uk with your name, age and contact details.