Training socio-affective and -cognitive processes

The potential to train social capacities could have wide-ranging positive effects for society, and may be particularly relevant to clinical conditions in which social challenges impact on wellbeing and quality of life. Yet, the study of whether and how social skills can be trained has been neglected until recently. This chapter provides an overview of the most recent studies which have sought to train social abilities across different developmental populations. An overview is first provided of socio-cognitive (Theory of Mind) and socio-affective (Empathy, Compassion) processes, after which studies seeking to enhance these skills are reviewed. Studies are divided into those that directly target the particular skill, or seek to enhance it by targeting an associated function. The neural mechanisms associated with training and impact on prosocial behaviours are highlighted, and methodological implications are discussed throughout. Overall, studies suggest training social capacities may be effective, however further research will be needed to clarify the precise methodological features that lead to training success.