Psychology

A new study led by Andre Bastos, assistant professor of psychology, found that animal subjects under general anesthesia were unable to detect moderate and complex surprises. This discovery deepens the understanding about the nature of consciousness and how it arises. Read More

Vanderbilt University has named Timothy P. McNamara, a visionary leader, trusted peer and mentor, as Ginny and Conner Searcy Dean of the College of Arts and Science for a two-year term beginning July 1. Read More

Randolph Blake, Centennial Professor of Psychology, won the 2024 Ken Nakayama Medal for Excellence in Vision Science Award for lasting, high-impact contributions to vision science. Isabel Gauthier, David K. Wilson Professor of Psychology, won the 2024 Davida Teller Award for exceptional scientific achievements, commitment to equity, and a strong history of mentoring. Read More

New research from Jessica Kennedy explores the relationship between deception in negotiations and negotiators’ satisfaction with their deals. Read More

Experts from the Institute for Scientific Information identified 13 faculty at Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center as among the top one percent of cited researchers worldwide. Read More

Hoffman will use new immersion and brain recording technology to test memory circuits in the brain that are known to play a role in healthy aging, neurodegenerative disease, brain trauma and the most common type of seizures. Read More

A Thursday, Aug. 25, discussion will connect how childhood trauma impacts brain development and behavior, its intersection with the justice system, and how we can integrate this understanding in prevention, diversion and restorative efforts.   Read More

A team comprising Assistant Professor of Psychology André Bastos, Associate Professor of Psychology and Associate Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Alexander Maier and Ph.D. candidate Jacob A. Westerberg is among three international research teams that have won the opportunity to pursue their exploration of brain function at the Allen Brain Observatory. Read More

The integration of cinema and science is at the foundation of Vanderbilt University professor Daniel Levin’s research. Levin teaches Film and Psychology in addition to other classes that examine how cognitive science and the arts collide.  Read More

The National Institute of Mental Health has awarded a $3.4 million grant to professor Thilo Womelsdorf to study the underlying mechanisms of action for potential drugs to regulate cognitive function and brain network activity affected in schizophrenia without debilitating side effects. Read More

Mikail Rubinov, assistant professor of biomedical engineering, computer science, psychiatry and psychology, has been awarded a four-year, $1.1 million grant from the National Institute of Mental Health to better understand the development and organization of brain networks, as well as their change in development and aging. Read More

Distinguished psychology professor Jon Kaas has received the Ralph W. Gerard Prize in Neuroscience, the highest recognition from the Society for Neuroscience, for his pathbreaking work in illuminating the structure and function of the cerebral cortex and plasticity in the developing and adult brain. Read More

Eating a larger, protein-filled breakfast is one of the best ways to maintain a healthy weight. A smaller but still significant change would be to avoid late-night snacking. Est. reading time: 3.5 mins. Read More

Eight-week mindfulness programs improve brain health in people over 60. Read More

Using NASA data on solar insolation, Sandra Rosenthal has postulated that seasonal rate of change in daylight has the greatest effect on illnesses with seasonal patterns, not average levels of sunlight. (Est. reading time: 3 mins.) Read More

Behavioral science identifies best way to convince people to get vaccinated. Read More

Psychology researchers develop new methodologies and representations of how people react to incoming information to better understand complex decision-making. Read More

Lisa Fazio, assistant professor of psychology and human development at Peabody College, shares a few tips on how to avoid knowledge neglect and spreading misinformation. Read More

According to new research by Associate Professor of Psychology Jennifer Trueblood, the development of an effective vaccine is only the first part of a solution to developing herd immunity against COVID-19. Read More

New research on cognitive flexibility points to a small class of brain cells that support switching attention strategies when old strategies fail. Read More