Welcome to the Ecological Neuroscience Lab!

Research in the Ecological Neuroscience Laboratory uses an interdisciplinary approach to study the interface between emotion and decision making. There are currently two main lines of research:

1) How do affective processes like emotion, motivation, empathy, and caregiving influence our response to need…in other people and the natural environment?
2) How do people make decisions about allocating resources like food, money, and material goods?

In both of these lines, we assume that our behavior is continuous with other species. We examine the proximate (How do the central and peripheral nervous systems manifest the behavior?) and ultimate bases of the behavior (Why does this behavior exist? How did it evolve?). In order to study these complex behaviors at multiple levels, we use a variety of methods. Some examples include measuring:

  • overt behavior (via computer responses or video coding)
  • personality (via scales or questionnaires)
  • emotion (via self-report and psychophysiology)
  • brain activity (via PET and fMRI)

We are committed to a culture of inclusivity. We welcome people from all backgrounds, nationalities, races, ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, and lifestyles. Our science depends upon it!

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