The heat map shows how our faculty self-affiliate.
Our faculty conduct cutting-edge, award-winning research in these areas using a range of approaches and methods, and we are highly collaborative both inside and outside of Brown. Explore this page to learn more about CoPsy's research interests!
Our Behavioral Neuroscience research delves into the neural foundations and computational models that drive critical processes, such as interval timing, emotional development, and auditory perception. We explore the complexities of memory, and higher cognitive functions. Our work also extends to understanding the intricacies of canine communication and social cognition, offering insights that bridge human and animal behavior.
Recent Example Publication: Felsche, E., Völter, C. J., Herrmann, E., Seed, A. M., & Buchsbaum, D. (2024). How can I find what I want? Can children, chimpanzees and capuchin monkeys form abstract representations to guide their behavior in a sampling task?. Cognition, 245, 105721.
Image taken from original article and available for use under a Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0); no changes were made.
Our Cognitive Neuroscience research uncovers the neural mechanisms underlying essential cognitive functions like attention, perception, and learning. We investigate how the brain manages memory, regulates emotions, and exercises executive control, all of which are crucial for decision-making. This work provides a deeper understanding of the intricate processes that shape our thoughts and behaviors.
Recent Example Publication: Kikumoto, A., Bhandari, A., Shibata, K., & Badre, D. (in press at Nature Communications). A transient high-dimensional geometry affords stable conjunctive subspaces for efficient action election.
Image taken from original article and available for use under a Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0); the orientation of the figure was adjusted to be horizontal rather then vertical.
Our Development research explores the foundations of cognition in both human and animal models. We delve into how visual attention, learning, and memory evolve, alongside the development of causal reasoning, pretend play, social behavior, language, and perception. This research provides valuable insights into the processes that shape cognitive development across species.
Recent Example Publication: Gin, S., Yin, H., Boykin, C. M., & Sobel, D. M. (2025). Examining Baseline Relations Between Parent–Child Interactions and STEM Engagement and Learning. Developmental Science, 28(2), e13611.
Copyright belongs to David Sobel.
Our Higher-Level Cognition research delves into the complexities of human memory, learning, and cognitive control. We explore how people make inductive inferences, reason causally, and navigate decision-making. Our work also examines the development of moral reasoning, social cognition, and theory of mind, shedding light on the intricate processes that underpin human thought and social interactions.
Recent Example Publication: Phillips, E. K., & Malle, B. F. (2025). The power of justifications to repair human-robot trust, even under moral disagreement. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 34706.
Image taken from original article and available for use under a Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0); no changes were made.
Our research in Computational Models focuses on creating neural and computational frameworks to understand key processes like motor control, vision, categorization, learning, reasoning, and language. These models provide powerful insights into the mechanisms driving human cognition, enabling us to simulate and predict complex mental functions with precision.
Recent Example Publication: Russin, J., Pavlick, E., & Frank, M. J. (2025). Parallel trade-offs in human cognition and neural networks: The dynamic interplay between in-context and in-weight learning. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 122(35), e2510270122.
Image taken from original article and available for use under a Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0); no changes were made.
Our Perception and Action research combines computational, psychophysical, and ecological approaches to unravel how we perceive shape and motion, recognize objects and scenes, and process auditory events. We also investigate the mechanisms behind attention, perceptual learning, and the control of action, offering comprehensive insights into how we interact with and interpret the world around us.
Recent Example Publication: Cheng, Y. A., Sanayei, M., Chen, X., Jia, K., Li, S., Fang, F., ... & Zhang, R. Y. (2025). A neural geometry approach comprehensively explains apparently conflicting models of visual perceptual learning. Nature Human Behaviour, 1-18.
Image taken from original article and available for use under a Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0); no changes were made.
Our Social Psychology research delves into how we understand and navigate the social world. We explore social cognition, theory of mind, and moral judgment, as well as how we perceive personality and interact with different situations. Our work also examines self-image, social projection, intergroup perception, and strategic behavior, providing deep insights into the complexities of human social behavior.
Recent Example Publication: Xia, A., Teoh, Y. Y., Nassar, M. R., Bhandari, A., & FeldmanHall, O. (2025). Knowledge of information cascades through social networks facilitates strategic gossip. Nature Human Behaviour, 1-14.
Copyright belongs to Oriel FeldmanHall.