Faculty
Research Areas
Although not bound by any rigid structure, the research interests of the department members can be described by the following categories:
Behavior Analysis
The study of learning based on the principles of Pavlovian and operant conditioning, and other aspects of contemporary associative learning theory. Also includes application of reinforcement principles and other behavior modification techniques in applied settings (applied behavior analysis).
The study of how the nervous system mediates behavioral effects in the realms of motivation, perception, learning and memory, and attention and motor performance.
Cognitive Psychology
The study of reasoning, thinking, language use, judgment and decision-making in adults and children, (including attention, memory, and visual and auditory information processing).
Cognitive Neuropsychology
The study of cognitive processes and their implementation in the brain. Cognitive neuroscientists use methods drawn from brain damage, neuropsychology, cognitive psychology, functional neuroimaging, and computer modeling.
Developmental Psychology
All aspects of human development, with emphasis on social and personality development, perceptual development, and language acquisition. Also includes the study of developmental psychopathology.
Empirical Aesthetics
Emotion
Quantitative Methods
Involves all aspects of application of quantitative and data analytic methods to a wide variety of problems in psychology and the behavioral sciences, study of small samples, for dealing with problems of variability, and for understanding growth and change.
Sensation and Perception
Investigates how our sense organs and brain make it possible for us to construct our consciously experienced representation of the environment. Experiments using stimuli under computer control can be used to test models of sensory or perceptual processes. Processes of particular interest include color vision, motion perception, and auditory illusions and paradox.
Social Psychology
Human behavior in social situations, with specialization in such topics as emotion, aggression, social cognition, and aesthetics. Also encompasses applied social psychology, including psychology and the law and behavioral medicine.
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