Preprint · Nov 2, 2023
New Directions for Studying the Aging Social-Cognitive Brain
By Ebner NC, Horta M, El-Shafie D
The study of social cognition has extended across the lifespan with a recent special focus on the impacts of aging on the social-cognitive brain. This review summarizes current knowledge on social perception, theory of mind, empathy, and social behavior from a social-cognitive neuroscience of aging perspective; and identifies new directions for studying the aging social-cognitive brain. These new directions highlight the need for (i) standardized operationalization and analysis of social-cognitive constructs; (ii) use of naturalistic paradigms to enhance ecological validity of social-cognitive measures; (iii) application of repeated assessments via single-N designs for robust delineation of social-cognitive processes in the aging brain; and (iv) increased representation of vulnerable aging populations in social-cognitive brain research to enhance diversity and generalizability.