ABSTRACT
Social cognition is complex and multifactorial. While the concept that the abilities that support social interactions are unique has historical roots, research investigating social cognition has mostly lagged behind other traditional cognition domains, such as language and memory. This chapter considers the most common research techniques employed when investigating social cognition in clinical syndromes. We consider some of the limitations of existing tasks and study designs, and highlight emerging paradigms which aim to address some of these criticisms. Next, we discuss the considerable impact neuroimaging has had on the field. We outline the most common techniques used and their pros and cons, and also explain how case studies are complementary to more advanced neuroimaging approaches. Finally, we contemplate how culture impacts social cognition performance, with a particular emphasis on the need to account for cultural differences in the research setting. Together, this chapter aims to provide clinicians and researchers with a snapshot of some of the key current themes in the research domain and considers the next steps for this rapidly developing field.
