My research examines the roles of basic cognitive and motivational processes—especially attention, working memory, executive functions, and self-control—in various complex psychological phenomena that are important in our everyday lives. My current research focuses on laboratory and classroom studies of student learning. Specific research projects that I am currently undertaking include: (a) Laboratory and classroom studies of the effects of mind-wandering in the learning and retention of math and science lectures; (b) Laboratory and classroom studies of self-regulatory behaviors (e.g., procrastination); (c) Individual differences and experimental analyses of self-control processes; and (d) Individual differences analyses of mind-wandering and repetitive negative thinking (e.g., worry, rumination)
keywords
cognitive psychology, executive functions and working memory, learning and memory in educational settings, individual differences in cognitive and social processes, self-regulation of attention, self-regulation of thought, self-regulation of behavior, mind-wandering, repetitive negative thinking (e.g., worry, rumination), procrastination
PSYC 2145 - Introductory Cognitive Psychology
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2019 / Fall 2019 / Fall 2020 / Fall 2021 / Fall 2022 / Fall 2023 / Fall 2024
Introduces the study of human cognitive processes and covers perception, attention, memory, language, problem solving, reasoning, and decision making. Focuses on basic research and theory in cognitive psychology but also considers their implications for everyday applications such as effective learning and retention, multitasking, and eyewitness testimony.
PSYC 4011 - Senior Thesis
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Spring 2019 / Fall 2019 / Spring 2021
Critically reviews some aspect of psychological literature, scholarly analysis of a major psychological issue, and/or empirical research project. See the psychology honors director for further information.
PSYC 5685 - Research Methods Proseminar
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2018
Main topic is research methods in cognitive psychology, with an emphasis on experimental methods. Skills and knowledge will be gained that are necessary to A) critically evaluate existing research and B) design, conduct, analyze and write up experimental studies. Required for graduate students in Cognitive Psychology. May be repeated up to 4 total credit hours.
PSYC 5695 - Memory Proseminar
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2023
Provides beginning Ph.D. students with a basic introduction to (primarily human) memory research. One of the six required proseminar for students in the Cognitive Psychology Ph.D. program. Includes consideration of experimental, theoretical, behavioral and cognitive neuroscience perspectives on memory. Instructor consent required for students outside of the department.
PSYC 5825 - Executive Function Proseminar
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2021
Provides beginning Ph.D. students with an introduction to the study of executive functions. Required proseminar for students in the Cognitive Psychology Ph.D. program. Includes consideration of working memory, inhibition, multi-tasking, monitoring, selection, lifespan changes and social/clinical applications at the cognitive, neural and computational levels.
PSYC 7215 - Seminar: Experimental Psychology
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2020
Advanced seminar dealing with different specialized topics, at the discretion of the instructor, in different years. Topics chosen are within the broad range of experimental psychology. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours.
