Affiliative Behaviour and Physiology Group

Research in ABP Group focuses on the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying interpersonal social relationships. Its work addresses a broad range of social interactions, including early caregiver–infant relationships as well as peer interactions in later stages of life, such as those between young adults and romantic partners. The goal is to understand how these relationships are shaped and regulated at the biological and neural level. 

The lab adopts a multimethod approach, integrating behavioral, genetic, physiological, and neuroimaging techniques to study social processes in a comprehensive way. In addition, it incorporates a comparative perspective by examining animal models, allowing for a deeper understanding of the evolutionary and biological bases of social behavior.

Research activities also address both typical and atypical social functioning, with particular attention to conditions such as autism. The lab is interested in social interactions across different contexts, including both offline and online environments, and explores emerging phenomena such as new forms of behavioral addiction linked to digital technologies.

Alongside these lines of research, the lab is also engaged in methodological development, especially in optimizing fNIRS signal analysis and advancing methods for quantifying interpersonal synchrony. These efforts often involve the application of artificial intelligence to improve data analysis and interpretation.