Cognition, Theory of Mind, and Social Cue Decoding Across the Lifespan

· This series of research studies examines the relationship between aging, cognition (in particular working memory and executive functioning), and the understanding of social cues and Theory of Mind.

· One approach we have taken to address this is to use dual-task methodology. Using dual-task methodology, a series of experiments has been conducted to pinpoint the specific executive processes involved in a range of adult theory of mind tasks. From this, we hope to understand more fully the nature of the relationship between social and cognitive functioning. This work is being conducted in collaboration with Dr. Louise Phillips and was funded by the ESRC.

· We are continuing this work by looking at the possible dissociation of emotional versus non-emotional theory of mind in young and elderly adults, and their ability to detect subtle social and emotional cues. Gillian Slessor is currently conducting her PhD research on this topic (funded by the Carnegie Trust), and we (Louise Phillips and I) have just received funding for a three year programme of research from the Leverhulme Trust. Dr. Roy Allen is the research fellow on this project.

· PhD students (current and previous): Gillian Slessor, Emma Brown

· Funding: ESRC, Leverhulme Trust, Carnegie Trust

· Associated publications:

Slessor, G., Phillips, L. H., & Bull, R. (2008). Age-related declines in basic social perception: Evidence from tasks assessing eye-gaze processing. Psychology and Aging, 23, 812-822.

Bull, R., Phillips, L. H., & Conway, C. (2008). The role of control functions in mentalizing: Dual task studies of Theory of Mind and executive functioning. Cognition, 107, 663-672.

Slessor, G., Phillips, L. H., & Bull, R. (2007). Exploring the specificity of age-related differences in Theory of Mind tasks. Psychology and Aging, 22, 639-643.

Brown, E. L., & Bull, R. (2007). Can task modifications influence children’s performance on the false belief task? European Journal of Developmental Psychology, 4, 273-292

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Phillips, L. H., Bull, R., Adams, E., & Fraser, L. (2002). Positive mood and executive function: Evidence from Stroop and fluency tasks. Emotion, 2, 12-22.