Mapping social closeness

This study explores how the brain processes feelings of emotional closeness in everyday relationships. Volunteers will attend a 2-hour EEG lab session at the University of Auckland.

• Beforehand, participants will complete a short online questionnaire and provide photos of two people they know (one close, one less close)
• In the session, they will answer simple questions about these photos while wearing a safe, non-invasive EEG cap that records brain activity
• Regular breaks are provided, and the procedure is painless
• Participants will also receive a $20 voucher for taking part

For more information, please download the participant information
sheet.

Volunteer requirements:

• Age 18–65
• Normal or corrected-to-normal vision
• No history of epilepsy or migraine
• No internal electrical medical devices or metal in the head
• No diagnosed neurological or psychological condition

If you have any questions, please contact:

Student researcher

Alicja Nowacka
PhD student at Cognitive Psychophysiology Lab
School of Psychology, University of Auckland
alicja.nowacka@auckland.ac.nz

Supervisors

Paul Corballis
School of Psychology, University of Auckland
Phone 373 7599 Ext 88562
p.corballis@auckland.ac.nz

Eileen Lueders
School of Psychology, University of Auckland
e.lueders@auckland.ac.nz

Katie Douglas
Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago
katie.douglas@otago.ac.nz

Approved by the Auckland Health Research Ethics Committee (AHREC) on 3 June 2025 for three years. Reference Number AH29384.