Synchronous EEG and Motion Capturing - Potentials for (Deferred) Imitation and Eye-Tracking Studies

• Applicant: Thorsten Kolling
• Subject Area: Developmental and Educational Psychology
• Term: from 2011 to 2012
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 206469451

Against the theoretical background of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, the present international cooperation project focuses on a (deferred) imitation study in 36-month-old children with both synchronous EEG and Motion Capturing acquisition. The study will allow, for the first time, a combined examination of the brain activity of child and caregiver in a moment-bymoment analysis within (deferred) imitation paradigms. Movement information (MoCap) of specific actions (head turns, arm movements) during the parent-child interaction will be intertwined with EEG information (cortical source analyses; independent component analysis), resulting in qualitatively new evidence within (deferred) imitation research. Next to the proposed study, the training on synchronous EEG and MoCap will enable me to critically evaluate the benefits of jointly using EEG and MoCap in imitation research from a state-ofthe- art point of view. On the basis of this knowledge, I am planning to apply for a German Research Foundation grant combining synchronous EEG/MoCap technologies with current Eye-Tracking and (Deferred) Imitation studies within the Cognitive Development Lab at my home institution.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: USA
• Host: Dr. Gedeon Déak