Feindel Brain and Mind Seminar Series: Predicting Interaction Success

Professor of Psychology, University of Maryland

Predicting Interaction Success Among Autistic and Nonautistic Adolescents and Young Adults: A Naturalistic Imaging Approach

Abstract: Successful social interaction is critical to development, well-being, and mental health. This lecture explores studies employing naturalistic neuroimaging and behavioral approaches to examine factors that predict social interaction success in typically developing youth and adults, as well as youth on the autism spectrum. The findings highlight that individual neural and cognitive factors, such as social-cognitive and social reward systems, are not sufficient on their own. Instead, the dyadic context, including factors like neurotype match and synchrony, also plays a crucial role in effectively predicting communication and social interaction success.

Bio: Elizabeth Redcay is currently a Professor of Psychology and member of the Neuroscience and Cognitive Science (NACS) program at the University of Maryland. Her research examines the development of social interactions and well-being from neural, cognitive, behavioral, and environmental perspectives in youth and adults with and without autism. Dr. Redcay's research has been funded by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the National Institute of Mental Health, and the Department of Defense.

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