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The Social Mind and Body group (SOMBY), led by Natalie Sebanz and Günther Knoblich, investigates the perceptual, cognitive, and motor processes that underlie social cognition and social interaction. Our take is that individual minds are geared towards understanding others and interacting with others. This is why we study perception, cognition, and action in a social context. As a tribute to good old solitary thinking, we also study the processes underlying insight in problem-solving.

Joint planning, coordination, and commitment

Communication and teaching in joint action

Joint attention, perspective taking, and mindreading

Self and other in perception and action

Insight and innovation
 

Funding

2022-2023 ERC Proof of Concept: Making music together while being physically apart, led by Natalie Sebanz

2015-2022 ERC Synergy grant Constructing social minds: Coordination, communication, and cultural transmission (SOMICS) led by Günther Knoblich

2016-2022 ERC Starting Grant The Sense of Commitment: An Integrative Framework for Modeling the Sense of Commitment (SENSE OF COMMITMENT) led by John Michael

News

February 8, 2022

Making music together while being apart

Natalie Sebanz and Thomas Wolf have been awarded an ERC Proof of Concept grant for their project Training Alone to Play Together App (TAPTAPP). They are developing an app that will allow musicians to improve their coordination with others while being physically apart. 

The ERC Funding will be 150.000€ over 18 months. 

January 3, 2022

We'd like to let you know that on January 1st the Somby Lab in Budapest has closed down for good, and we will continue our operations in Vienna. 

December 1, 2020

We are happy to share that the NY Times has interviewed Prof. Natalie Sebanz about the findings of one of our studies. Click here to read the interview and learn more about how to get in sync with someone.

The interview was based on this publication:

October 28, 2020

The SOMBY Lab has opened laboratories at CEU's new Vienna location (Quellenstrasse 51, Wien AT 1100).

September 23, 2020

We are currently recruiting participants in Vienna to take part in our studies. Click here to learn more