What do we do in the Attention, Brain, and Behavior Lab?

The primary focus of the Attention, Brain, and Behavior Lab is research into the development and functioning of visual selective attention using event related potentials. However, we are also interested in the role of environment and individual differences in mental health as they relate to selective attention and other higher level cognitive processes.

To support the understanding of development, much of our research addresses basic questions regarding the functioning of visual selective attention in adults. This work is then used to inform the questions we ask about the development of visual selective attention. However, it is a feedback loop so the research on development then in turn impacts the questions we ask about adult visual selective attention. We are also interested in how individual differences such as differences in anxiety, depression, stress, socioeconomic status etc. impact higher cognitive processes such as selective attention. Our research takes place in the Event Related Potential Lab that is currently at Mt. Holyoke College.

While many labs are interested in early infancy, this lab is focused on both adults and children, specifically children in the middle childhood years from 5 to 12 years of age. Some questions addressed in this lab include:

• What are the neurological underpinnings of facilitation and suppression of processing that occur during visual selective attention?
• What does normal selective attention development look like across middle childhood?
• How does the environment impact visual selective attention? Specifically how does socioeconomic environment impact selective attention and its development?
• How do individual differences in mental health (e.g. anxiety, stress, etc.) impact higher cognitive processes?

How can I get involved?

If you are a students, please contact Dr. Couperus directly at Mt. Holyoke. If you are a parent, please email erpparticipant@gmail.com.