09-04-2026

IMG_5316 Francisco de Vitoria University is launching an institute dedicated to applying neuroscience and psychology to social challenges and mental health Study at the Universidad Privada Madrid

Presentation of the new center

Francisco de Vitoria University (UFV) has launched the Institute of Neuroscience and Applied Social Psychology (https://www.ufv.es/), a new center within the School of Education and Psychology (SINAPSICO) established with the goal of translating research in neuroscience and psychology into social intervention.

The institute, led by Román Darío Moreno Fernández, aims to generate rigorous knowledge about the biological and psychological mechanisms of human behavior from a multidisciplinary perspective, with a clear commitment to serving society. “Its goal is to connect knowledge from basic sciences such as biology and neuroscience with social realities,” explained the director during the launch event.

In this vein, María Lacalle, Vice Provost for Faculty and Educational Models, highlighted the track record of the School of Education and Psychology as the foundation for this new project: “They excel at combining academic excellence, a commitment to research, and a clear focus on knowledge transfer and service to society.”

A holistic approach to the individual

SINAPSICO is based on an anthropological approach that views the individual as a bio-psycho-social and spiritual being. From this perspective, the Institute for Neuroscience and Applied Social Psychology will focus on research, teaching, and outreach, with a special emphasis on the practical application of knowledge in real-world contexts.

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María Lacalle, Vice President for Faculty and Educational Programs at UFV

Virtual Reality and Physical Exercise: New Intervention Tools

To mark its launch, the UFV organized its first roundtable discussion titled “From Evidence to Practice: Virtual Reality and Physical Exercise as Intervention Tools for Young People,” focusing on innovation in mental health.

Dr. Lucía Halty Barrutieta, director of the Chair of Innovation and Digital Mental Health at Comillas Pontifical University, explained how virtual reality is being incorporated into psychological diagnosis: “Virtual reality is used as an emotional stimulus to create standardized scenarios that support a diagnosis.”

For her part, Dr. Patricia Sampedro, director of the Cognitive and Psychophysiological Studies in Addiction Group at the Autonomous University of Madrid, discussed the benefits of physical exercise for young people with problematic alcohol use: “Using a bicycle ergometer, we were already able to observe cognitive improvements related to frontal lobe functions such as sustained attention and verbal fluency.”

Dr. Carlos Benedicto (Asociación GINSO), technical coordinator of the centers, discussed the use of these tools in interventions with minors exhibiting aggressive behavior, highlighting progress in emotional recognition and self-regulation: “We’re seeing results; for me, the most heartwarming part is that the minors themselves are asking us for the devices.”

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Dr. Patricia Sampedro, Dr. Carlos Benedicto, Dr. Lucía Halty, and Román Darío Moreno Fernández, director of SINAPSICO

Artificial Intelligence and Mental Health: A New Field of Study

The second panel discussion, titled “New Challenges for Mental Health: The Use of Social Media and Conversational Artificial Intelligence”, examined the impact of these technologies on human behavior.

Dr. Inés Abalo Rodríguez, a professor inBachelor's Degree UFVBachelor's Degree Psychology, explained the institute’s approach, which centers on science grounded in values: “To make science rigorous, the goal is to place values at the center so that it is clear which values are guiding our work.” Among these principles, she highlighted epistemic justice and attention to underrepresented groups: “This institute is characterized by its focus on groups that are often overlooked.”

IMG_9186 Francisco de Vitoria University is launching an institute dedicated to applying neuroscience and psychology to social challenges and mental health Study at the Universidad Privada Madrid

Dr. Inés Abalo Rodríguez and Dr. Rebeca Pardo

The Risks of Using AI in Conversations

In this context, Dr. Rebeca Pardo Cebrián (UNED), a health psychologist and co-founder of ITEC Psychology, analyzed the factors behind the widespread use of conversational tools: “It’s great at making you feel valued, loved, validated, and heard. And it’s available 24/7. And you don’t have to make the effort to listen back.”

For his part, Dr. José María Ruiz Sánchez de León, director of LOGICORTEX® and the Laboratory of Translational Neuropsychology at the Complutense University of Madrid, warned of the parallels with behavioral addictions: “The problem isn’t chatting with AI for a while about how I’m making decisions regarding my professional career; the problem is when not consulting AI about something causes distress, because that behavior has become compulsive.”

IMG_9185-Editarr Francisco de Vitoria University is launching an institute dedicated to applying neuroscience and psychology to social challenges and mental health Study at the Universidad Privada Madrid

Vice Dean Elena Bernabéu Brotóns, Dr. José María Ruiz Sánchez de León, Dr. Inés Abalo Rodríguez, and Dr. Rebeca Pardo

An unprecedented historic moment

As a final thought, Dr. Abalo Rodríguez put the impact of current technological developments into context: “We are living in a historic moment that is unprecedented in human history. Throughout human history, there have been revolutionary technological changes, there have been paradigm shifts in the structure of scientific communities, and there have been social changes, but never before have they all occurred simultaneously at a speed that exceeds our ability to comprehend—which is precisely what is happening with artificial intelligence.”

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Participants in the roundtable discussions

A high school dedicated to serving the community

With the creation of the Institute of Neuroscience and Applied Social Psychology (SINAPSICO), Francisco de Vitoria University reinforces its commitment to research that not only generates knowledge but also applies it to society. The new institute aims to become a leading center for understanding human behavior from a comprehensive perspective and for developing solutions that effectively address contemporary social challenges.