Research Projects & Grants
At the Department of Cognitive Science at NCU, we strive for a profound understanding of the mechanisms shaping human cognition and well-being. Our grant portfolio reflects the team’s commitment to addressing pressing contemporary issues—ranging from research on the role of reading in preventing social isolation to the analysis of cultural determinants of mindreading and social cognition. By collaborating with both national and international research centers, we combine advanced experimental tools with deep philosophical inquiry. We invite you to explore our list of ongoing and completed research projects, conducted under prestigious funding schemes
Philosophical Inquiry with Children as a Path to Emotional Understanding: On the Significance of the „Philosophy for Children” Program
Jakub Janczura has been awarded a grant from the National Science Centre under the PRELUDIUM 24 competition for a project dedicated to philosophical inquiry with children. The research aims to identify the extent to which participation in philosophical discussions about emotions contributes to the development of children’s emotional knowledge and skills. Based on the „Philosophy for Children” program, the project assumes that philosophizing fosters abstract thinking, argumentation, and the creation of alternative concepts. Through these discussions, children learn to better understand their own and others’ emotions, as well as the nature of mixed emotions and self-regulation. By combining logical analysis with active communication, the project supports the holistic emotional, intellectual, and social development of young participants.
The Impact of Chronic Anger Suppression on the Development of Autoimmune and Psychosomatic Diseases
The project is conducted by Bogna Bylicka as part of a grant from the Center of Excellence „Interactions – mind, society, environment” (IMSErt) for the years 2025–2026. The research focuses on the role of self-silencing in response to boundary violations and the obstruction of personal goals. By combining linguistic analysis with psychophysiological measurements, the researcher examines the cognitive and behavioral processes underlying anger suppression. The primary objective is to investigate the link between chronic emotional suppression and the development of autoimmune and psychosomatic diseases. Comparative studies of healthy and chronically ill individuals aim to provide deeper insight into the relationship between emotional regulation, social interactions, and overall health.
Reading & Mind-reading
The Department of Cognitive Science team, consisting of Anna Karczmarczyk (PI), Arkadiusz Gut, Andrzej Zykubek, Jakub Janczura has been awarded a grant for the „Reading & Mind-reading” project under the „Science for Society” program (Minister of Education and Science, 2024). The research focuses on the link between reading and social competencies, such as empathy and the ability to infer the mental states of others. The researchers are investigating whether a decline in reading activity can lead to a „domino effect,” resulting in a weakened ability to understand emotions and gradual social isolation. Particular attention is paid to the aging process, with studies conducted among seniors from the „Niezapominajka” Senior+ Club in Ciechocinek. The project aims to demonstrate that engaging with literature is an essential mental workout that helps maintain cognitive and relational health in later life.
The involvement of language, culture-specific factors and folk intuitions in mindreading activity and social cognition
Prof. Arkadiusz Gut was awarded a grant from the National Science Centre under the HARMONIA 6 competition for the project titled „The involvement of language, culture-specific factors and folk intuitions in mindreading activity and social cognition,” conducted between 2015 and 2018. This interdisciplinary endeavor integrates philosophical inquiry with psychological and linguistic insights to explore the core of social knowledge. The project aims to determine the extent to which cognitive abilities, such as mental state attribution and perspective-taking, are shaped by specific linguistic and cultural dependencies. Conducted as an international collaboration with researchers in Beijing and Hong Kong, the study provides a unique comparative analysis of diverse cultural systems. Employing the methodology of experimental philosophy, the project provides essential evidence in the debate on whether cognitive structures are innate and universal or determined by cultural influence.
