Please use the links below to find out more about our research groups:

• Applied, Social and Health Psychology Research Group
• Brain and Cognition Research Group

Laboratory Facilities

Psychological research encompasses a very wide range of techniques and this is reflected in the Department's commitment to developing an extensive range of research tools and facilities. These laboratories support students conducting research for their final year projects, and also allow staff to remain at the cutting edge of their chosen area of the discipline, which feeds into our teaching.

EEG Lab

The EEG lab is a recently built unit in the department. EEG enables the measuring of electrical brain activity occurring during all kinds of cognitive processes such as language, face perception, learning etc. The main focus of research done with EEG is exploring the human brain mechanisms responsible for language functions and learning as well as the involvement of the right and left cerebral hemisphere in various cognitive and perceptual tasks. Our experiments mainly use ERP (event-related potential) techniques and include both visual and auditory ERP recordings as well as behavioural tests. We employ a 64-channel EEG setup and all recordings are performed in an acoustically and electrically shielded chamber.

Eyetracking Lab

In the Eyetracking laboratory, we can measure the eye movements a person makes as they read a passage of text, study a picture (such as faces), or watch a video. Such information is incredibly useful in helping us to understand how people approach the task of perception. So, whether it is true that 'the eyes are the windows of the soul', it is certainly the case that they can tell us a lot about the workings of the mind. We have three eye-trackers in our laboratory: Tobii T60 & Tobii X60 and a Cambridge Research Systems Video Eyetracker. These have a spatial resolution of about 0.5 degrees.

Experimental Laboratory

The Experimental Laboratory is used for general experimentation with video recording and editing facilities, comprising: Two 3-5 person interview rooms, and three individual testing cubicles, each containing networked G3 Macintosh computers.

Psychoneuroimmunology lab

The Psychoneuroimmunology lab allows for the analysis of samples for immune system indicators. Among other things, this allows us to investigate the fascinating and complex relationship between psychological well-being and physical health. If you have ever wondered why you always seem to catch a cold just when you are at your most stressed, research in this laboratory may be able to provide the answer!

Psychometrics Laboratory

The Psychometrics Laboratory provides a quiet and pleasant space in which people can be interviewed and/or complete psychometric questionnaires.

Emotion and Communication Laboratory

Situated within the Experimental Laboratory and comprised of specialised equipment for the analysis of interpersonal interaction: video-recording facilities (digital and analogue), one-way observation and control room with video and sound mixers.

Project Laboratory

The Department's Project Laboratory provides a range of networked PC's for the exclusive use of Psychology students to use in carrying out literature searches, preparing coursework, or for conducting experimental research.

Behavioural Analysis Laboratory

The Behavioural Analysis Laboratory is a sound- and light-attenuated, air-conditioned environment in which to study the behavioural and physiological bases of complex, learned and derived behavioural processes. Equipped with touch-sensitive screens, computerised physiological recording devices, stimulators, and specialist computers, the Behavioural Analysis lab is currently the context for research on derived human autonomic conditioned responding and semantic priming effects in arbitrary relational networks.

Psycholinguistics Laboratory

The Psycholinguistics Laboratory is a sound-proofed lab containing specialist equipment to assess the cognitive processes involved in language. Among other things, in this laboratory we can investigate the processes underlying reading - for example, what makes some people better readers than others? How can we help dyslexic readers to improve their reading skills?