<\/p>\n
The Cognitive Control & EEG lab conducts research at the intersection of cognitive psychology, the study of mind and behavior from an information processing perspective, and cognitive neuroscience, the study of how the brain implements information processes.\u00a0 The 2 main methodologies used to conduct research in the lab are the measurement of response time to perform cognitive tasks, and measurement of patterns of electrical voltages on the surface of the scalp (due to electrical activity of the brain, electroencephalography, EEG).\u00a0 The lab has computer testing stations for collecting response time data, and has amplifiers and 64-channel electrode caps for conducting EEG studies.<\/p>\n
Cognitive Control<\/strong><\/p>\n Cognitive control (also called executive function) refers to the processes that regulate selection of perceptual inputs and pre-learned information as well as selection of actions and thoughts that are appropriate for our current goals and situational context.\u00a0 Cognitive control processes operate in a wide range of cognitive domains (e.g., language comprehension, speech production, long-term & working memory, attention, and action, to name a few).\u00a0 For example, many tasks, e.g., texting\u00a0 on a phone require responding in pre-learned ways to various perceptual inputs.\u00a0 Switching between texting and talking on a phone requires reconfiguration of a new set of stimulus-response parings that are task (goal) appropriate.\u00a0 Switching who is being communicated with is likely to trigger a reconfiguration of active task-related information in working memory.<\/p>\n We have developed a cognitive task that allows for assessment of the influence of task-relevant and task-irrelevant (potentially distracting) information on attention to external sensory and internal working memory events.\u00a0 By alternating the role a stimulus event or an active representation in working memory takes, between task-relevant and task-irrelevant, we can get a better idea of cognitive control works to facilitate cognition both for externally-directed and internally-directed attention.<\/p>\n Cognitive Aging<\/strong><\/p>\n The lab also collaborates with the Memory & Aging lab (Dr. Kristi Multhaup) at Davidson College in studying how cognitive processes change with age.\u00a0 We have completed a series of studies on how the ability to regulate task-relevant vs task-irrelevant information, for both externally-directed and internally-directed attention, changes with healthy (typical) aging.\u00a0 We have also completed a project looking at whether or not specialized computer game training can slow or reverse typical cognitive declines during aging.<\/p>\n Cognitive Neuroscience of Health Psychology<\/strong><\/p>\n The lab also acts as a resource for graduate students in the health psychology program who want to explore issues in health psychology from a cognitive neuroscience perspective by using EEG methodology.\u00a0 Past projects have included studies of EEG measures of brain activity associated with the ability to halt memory retrieval in the presence of a stimulus event (e.g., a picture) that automatically initiates memory retrieval processes, and a study of the ability of individuals with mindfulness meditation training to suppress the mental response to sensation of pain.<\/p>\n Move Toward More Naturalistic Stimuli for Cognitive EEG Testing<\/strong><\/p>\n The lab closed down during the Covid period and has reopened with a focus on new lines of research.\u00a0 We are now focused on the use of technologies (e.g. virtual reality headsets, headphones), combined with computer software, to provide more naturalistic stimuli (e.g., full music recordings, virtual visual environments) that can be presented to participants in the context of a controlled experiment conducted within the lab, all while we measure EEG.\u00a0 Thus far we have conducted a study looking EEG brain responses associated with the immersiveness of a virtual world, that participants experience and driving simulator while wearing a VR headset.\u00a0 We have also designed an underwater virtual environment that participants view with a VR headset.\u00a0 We assess brain networks supporting attention by measuring EEG while participants passively look around vs. actively search for a particular fish as it swims by.\u00a0 Another recent example is a study of the EEG brain responses while listening to music clips of EDM (electronic dance music).\u00a0 EDM includes an extended complex musical progression called a break sequence that includes a precisely timed event called a bass drop.\u00a0 Our goal was to test the neural basis of anticipation of a bass drop.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Cognitive Control & EEG Lab (4118 Colvard) Mark Faust, Ph.D., Lab Director 4041 Colvard mefaust@charlotte.edu The Cognitive Control & EEG lab conducts research at the intersection of cognitive psychology, the study of mind and behavior from an information processing perspective, and cognitive neuroscience, the study of how the brain implements information processes.\u00a0 The 2 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