Social monitoring and neural attuning to social cues in loneliness

The project investigates processing of eye gaze and facial expressions in loneliness. The aim is to examine how self-related thoughts and sensitivity to social cues affect social interaction in loneliness. The research will seek to answer the following questions: 1) How self-reflection affects neuronal arousal for eye gaze in loneliness, 2) do lonely and non-lonely individuals differ in their evaluation of eye contact, 3) how neuronal arousal during interaction differs between lonely and non-lonely individuals? Brain responses, autonomic nervous system responses and behavioral responses are measured with tasks that include real-life interaction. The study will provide information of factors that affect social experience in loneliness. This information can be used to develop ways to reduce loneliness.