Un agente conversazionale per guarire le ferite del dolore sociale | A conversational agent for healing the wounds of social pain.

Rejection, devaluation, and social exclusion in social contexts activate neural mechanisms analogous to those involved in physical pain, with significant consequences for emotional well-being, learning processes, and the development of life skills. Neuroscientific research indicates that repeated experiences of social pain can induce states of hypervigilance, emotional dysregulation, and reduced cognitive plasticity, thereby hindering students’ learning and active participation. In school settings characterized by competitive dynamics, these conditions pose particular challenges to the creation of inclusive and empathetic educational environments. In light of the widespread adoption of contemporary technologies, the present study investigates the pedagogical potential of conversational agents as tools for educational mediation, aimed at counteracting antisocial behaviors, repairing the effects of social pain, and promoting inclusion. The research is part of the PEDI-CAM research-formation project and employs a collaborative research-formation approach, informed by phenomenological self-study and reflective analysis of teaching practices. Utilizing a mixed-methods design, the study involved students from three lower secondary school classes and positively evaluated the impact of conversational agents on peer interactions, mentoring processes, personalized learning, as well as student engagement and motivation within inclusive educational contexts.