Cognition Lab

Dr. Mary Harmon-Vukic, Principal Investigator

In my lab I investigate memory processes during reading. Specifically, I am interested in factors that influence memory retrieval.

Areas of interest:

• Inferences during Reading
• Negation and Memory
• The Minimally Counterintuitiveness Effect
• Cognitive Load during Reading

Recent Publications:

• Harmon-Vuki, M. E. (2013).  Navigating the tenure process. In J. Keely, S.E. Afful, J. J.
• Stiegler-Balfour, J. Good, & S. Leder (Eds.). So you landed a job – What’s next? Advice for early career psychologists from early career psychologists. Retrieved from the Society for the Teaching of Psychology web site.
• Harmon-Vuki, M. E., Upal, M. A., & Sheehan, K. J. (2012). Understanding the memory
• advantage of counterintuitive concepts.  Religion, Brain, and Behavior, 2(2), 121-139.
• Harmon-Vuki, M. E., & Schanz, K. (2012). A cultural immersion course in psychology.
• Teaching of Psychology, 39(2), 42-45.
• Harmon-Vuki, M. E., Guéraud, S., Lassonde, K. A., & O’Brien, E. J. (2009). The activation and instantiation of instrumental inferences. Discourse Processes, 46, 467-490.
• Harmon-Vuki, M. E., & Slone, D. J. (2009). The effect of integration on recall of
• counterintuitive stories. Journal of Cognition and Culture, 9(1-2), 57-68.
• Manuscripts Under Review:
• Harmon-Vuki, M. E. (under review). Teaching culture to privileged students: An analysis.
• Harmon-Vuki, M. E., Upal, M. A., & Trainor, C. (under review).  Understanding the role of
• context in memory for maximally counterintuitive concepts.

People

Current Research Assistants:

• Caitlin Trainor (Lab Manager)
• Mia Kruzel
• Emily Mercer

Independent Study

I encourage you to consider doing an independent study in the Cognition Lab. Below is some information.

Prerequisites:

• PSY 201/202—Research Design and Statistical Analysis I and II
• PSY 316—Cognitive Psychology
• PSY 416—Experimental Cognitive Psychology Or Permission from Dr. Harmon-Vukic

Projects:

Typical independent study projects build on experiments from PSY 316 and/or PSY 416. Most independent studies involve empirical work investigating memory.

How to apply

You must submit a research proposal including an introduction, methods section, and hypotheses.

Please contact me if you are considering an independent study or if you have any questions.