Cognitive Psychology

In the cognitive area, our labs focus on understanding the basic processes giving rise to cognition, and investigating applied questions that bridge practical problems with cognitive theory.

We primarily focus on memory, attention, executive functioning, language, and creative cognition, using a variety of methods including eyetracking, EEG, VR, computational modeling, fMRI, and novel task design. We are primarily funded by NSF, NIH, and DoD.

The cognitive area hosts a reading group where we meet every other week to discuss papers, and we host cognitive colloquia with visiting speakers every semester.

We also attend conferences together, including Psychonomics, CNS, ARMADILLO, Math Psych, and more.

Core Faculty

  • Bill Levine: Cognitive and affective processes involved in language comprehension
  • Darya Zabelina: Neural and cognitive mechanisms of attention, Executive function, Creativity, Imagination, Mindfulness
  • Jim Lampinen: Memory, Dual Process Models, Memory Editing, Face Perception, False Memories, Eyewitness Memory, Prospective Person Memory, Psychology and the Law
  • Michelle Ramey: Memory, Eyetracking, Visual attention, Aging, Computational modeling, Semantic knowledge, Recognition processes, Unconscious memory

Affiliate Faculty

  • Denise Beike: Functions of autobiographical memory
  • Doug Behrend: Cognitive and developmental origins of conspiracy beliefs, Intellectual humility, Language and Cognitive development
  • Grant Shields: Biological bases of cognition, Cognition in context (e.g., under stress)
  • Matt Judah: Attention, Anxiety, EEG
  • Pia Pennekamp: Eyewitness memory, Confidence and decision making, Face recognition, Psychology and law, Juror decision making, Applied cognitive psychology
  • Yanli Lin: Mindfulness, EEG, Cognitive control, Emotion regulation