ALEXANDRA SOFONEA
CONTACT
alexandra.sofonea@unatc.ro
Google scholar profile ALEXANDRA SOFONEA
ORCID identifier ALEXANDRA SOFONEA
POSITION WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT
Research Scientist
Department of Research, Development, and Innovation (DCDI)
“I.L. Caragiale” National University of Theatre and Film Arts (UNATC), Bucharest
EDUCATION
PhD in Theatre
Babeș-Bolyai University, Doctoral School in Theatre, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Masters in Theatre Directing
Babeș-Bolyai University, Theatre and Film Faculty, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Triple BA in Performing Arts, Psychology, and Business Management
Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
BIO
Alexandra Sofonea, PhD, is a researcher at the National University of Theatre and Film I.L. Caragiale (UNATC) and a member of interdisciplinary research teams within the CINETic Center. Her work bridges theatre, psychology, neuroscience, and education, investigating the psychological and neurophysiological mechanisms underlying theatrical experience, role-play, creativity, emotional regulation, social bonding, and well-being.
Her research combines experimental methods from psychology and cognitive neuroscience with art-based approaches, with a particular interest in the applications of theatre for mental health. She has participated in interdisciplinary projects exploring social interaction, resilience, role-play, affective processes, neurophysiological correlates of social experiences, theatre-based interventions, as well as projects that combine technology and performativity.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
- Performing arts and mental health
- Psychology of performing artists
- Role-play and social cognition
- EEG and psychophysiological correlates of social interaction
- Technology and performativity
- Adolescence and youth development
- Mental health and creative outlets
TEACHING
Psychology of Creativity
Theories of creativity, creative cognition, artistic creativity, creative processes, and psychological factors influencing innovation and artistic performance.
Psychopedagogy of Youth
Psychological and educational development during adolescence and emerging adulthood, identity formation, socio-emotional development, learning processes, and educational interventions.
Psychology of Personality
Classical and contemporary theories of personality, individual differences, personality assessment, temperament, traits, and personality development.
PROJECTS
MET – Developing a Methodology of Therapy Through Theatre with an Effect at the Neurochemical and Neurocognitive Levels
Interdisciplinary research project investigating the psychological, neurocognitive, and neurochemical effects of theatre-based interventions. The project integrates behavioural, physiological, hormonal, and neuroimaging measures to examine stress reduction, emotional regulation, empathy, social closeness, and therapeutic mechanisms of theatrical practice.
STAD – Social Transmission in Alzheimer’s Disease
Research project exploring the social transmission of cognitive and emotional states through interpersonal interaction, with particular emphasis on caregivers and individuals affected by Alzheimer’s disease. The project combines behavioural, psychophysiological, and neurocognitive methodologies to investigate mechanisms of social synchrony and emotional contagion.
NEURESIL
Interdisciplinary project focused on resilience and stress adaptation mechanisms through immersive technologies and experimental research paradigms. The project investigates psychological and physiological responses to challenging situations, integrating virtual reality and psychophysiological assessment methods.
RPB – Role Playing Brain
A project that aims to investigate the neural basis of role-playing, analyzing the impact of expertise and individual differences on this complex cognitive process.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
First-Author Publications
Sofonea, A., Boldașu, R., Papasteri, C. C., Benescu, V., Podina, I. R., Vasilescu, R. I., Carcea, I., & Berceanu, A. I. (2025). Decreased levels of stress and increased group closeness during theatre training exercises. Drama Therapy Review, 11(2), 157–187. https://doi.org/10.1386/dtr_00169_1
Sofonea, A. (2014). Mind and body in performance: Real or fake dualism? Performing arts in the last century correlated to the main philosophies of mind. Studia Universitatis Babeș-Bolyai Dramatica, 59(2), 111–132. https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=249599
Co-Authored Publications
Berceanu, A. I., Papasteri, C. C., Sofonea, A., Boldașu, R., Niță, D., Poalelungi, C., Froemke, R. C., & Carcea, I. (2024). Oxytocin predicts positive affect gains in a role-play interaction. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, 1258254. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1258254
Tomescu, M. I., Papasteri, C. C., Sofonea, A., et al. (2024). Personality moderates intra-individual variability in EEG microstates and spontaneous thoughts. Brain Topography.
Tomescu, M. I., Papasteri, C. C., Sofonea, A., et al. (2022). Spontaneous thought and microstate activity modulation by social imitation. NeuroImage.
Papasteri, C. C., Sofonea, A., et al. (2020). Social feedback during sensorimotor synchronization changes salivary oxytocin and behavioral states. Frontiers in Psychology.