Hanse Lecture Nova - Prof. Dr. Andrea Hildebrandt, University of Oldenburg

'On the behavioral neuroscience of individual differences in (social) cognitive abilities'

The neural, hormonal genetic correlates of individual differences in cognitive abilities across the lifespan have been widely studied during the last decades. However, some of the relevant human traits, such as social abilities and creativity were arguably somewhat neglected because their study is cimbered by measurement challenges. Furthermore, it still remains to be concluded upon the convergence of findings with respect to the large number of hitherto discovered neural correlates of individual differenced accumulated on the basis of different neuroscience methods.

In this presentation, I will aim to concisely summarize the current state of knowledge on the neuro-biological correlates specific aspects of human cognitive abilities, with a special focus on the modelliing of individual differences at the neural (EEG and fMRI) as well as behavioral level. I will emphasize how modern psychometrics can contribute to systematizing the current state of knowledge. Theoretical implications, but mainly consequences for biomarker research, will be discussed.