Research

Our working group is concerned with motivation, learning and decision-making in the course of development. A particular focus is on social development in childhood and adolescence, but also through adulthood into old age. How do these cognitive processes change over the course of a lifetime? Which social factors play a role in which age group? In addition to typical developmental processes, we are also interested in changes in psychiatric illnesses and their risk factors.

In cross-sectional and longitudinal studies, we carry out behavioural measurements using cognitive experiments (which look like computer games) and questionnaires. In some cases, these are combined with neuronal measurements such as (f)MRI or EEG in order to map developmental processes at a neuronal level. When analysing this data, computational models are also used that promise a mechanistically informed understanding of the underlying cognitive processes, i.e. that provide information on how a cognitive process changes and how this can be recognised.

Our overriding aim is to gain a deeper understanding of the development of psychological problems. Many develop in childhood and adolescence, which is why these developmental phases are particularly important. Our working group is particularly interested in the question of whether markers can be found from the findings that could provide us with information on the effectiveness of learning-based interventions - such as cognitive behavioural therapy - and prevention programmes for children, adolescents and adults. A long-term goal is to gain insights that improve psychotherapeutic treatment, for example by helping to decide which treatment module is particularly helpful for a particular patient. Another overarching aim of this research is to gain a better understanding of how psychotherapy works.

Our research is funded by the German Research Foundation, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the Brain and Behaviour Research Foundation.