3.1 Overview

3.2 Neural Substrates for Prosocial Behavior

3.3 Development of a Collective Brain Imaging Technique

In order to create and verify reliable process models of social skills development, the comprehensive study design approach (experiment/observation → model formulation → experiment/observation → model verification) should be consistently implemented not only to research using functional brain imaging techniques but also to longitudinal analysis of behavior during the developmental period. To this end, models of development should focus on a specific target phenomenon (e.g., prosocial behavior) for verification. Application of functional imaging methods to individuals with developmental impairment is also important. Other needs include the following: technological improvements and elaboration of experimental designs with the purpose of applying functional brain imaging methods to subjects in specific developmental periods; collaboration with experimental child psychologists; and further advances in statistical analysis of time-series data. With respect to technological advancements, we need to create robust quantification methods for the interaction between multiple subjects as mentioned in 2.2.2. We realized that accurate measurement of eye gaze movement is indispensable in this regard. As a practical step to implement these ideas, the programs described below will be launched.