We are a research lab at ASU dedicated to the understanding of basic cognitive and social processes, with the explicit goal of extending this knowledge to real-world problems.

Our guiding theoretical frameworks revolve around behavioral dynamics and cognition as embedded and extended to complex environments. Be it in how we comprehend language, take another’s perspective to solve problems, or even in how we deceive, we believe real insights can be had by examining cognition as expressed within patterns of behavior over time – and importantly – as a process that is deeply influenced by socially-rich and communicative contexts.

The lab makes use of a variety of laboratory-based and online experimental methods, and applies advanced computational modeling to support theory. We also collect data that is multimodal, multi-feature, and temporally extended (“biggish data”), sourced from the direct capture of motion, speech, physiology, and language, as well as collected from large-scale naturally-occurring datasets.

In being serious about interdisciplinary research, and eager to explore new approaches, there really are no areas that are off limits. If it brings us closer to understanding the mysteries of the mind, as embedded in a social world, then bring it on! Please go to the Projects page to learn more, and also check out the latest Publications.

The lab is currently accepting applications from undergraduate research assistants and masters students who might be interested in learning more what we’re doing. Go to the Get Involved page to sign up.