EEG Lab

EEG enables the measuring of electrical brain activity that occurs during all kinds of cognitive processes such as language, face perception, learning etc. 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. The main focus of research done with EEG in our laboratory 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.

Eyetracking Laboratory

In the Eyetracking laboratory, we can measure the eye movements a person makes as they engage in a wide range of visual perception tasks. These include reading a passage of text, studying images (such as faces), or watching a video clip. Such information is incredibly useful in helping us to understand how people process visual information. 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 1750 & Tobii X50 and a Cambridge Research Systems Video Eyetracker.

Psychoneuroimmunology laboratory

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!

Experimental Testing Suite

Designed exclusively for use by psychology students, the suite consists of 10 sound attenuated, air-conditioned multi-purpose laboratories with networked PCs. Two larger testing rooms in this area are the psychometrics laboratory, which provides a quiet and pleasant space in which people can be interviewed and/or complete psychometric questionnaires and the meeting room, which can be used for group studies and for conducting focus group discussions, this room also has a one-way observation mirror. A wide range of specialist equipment and software is available for use in the experimental testing suite depending on student project requirements, including video recording and editing facilities, physiological recording and analysis equipment, experimental generation software etc.

Psychophysiology Laboratory

The Psychophysiology lab contains a variety of specialist equipment enabling us to examine how the body responds to a variety of stimuli or tasks. We recently acquired Nexus, a portable device that allows us to record a variety of physiological data such as pulse, skin conductance, ECG and respiration during real-world tasks outside of the laboratory.

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?

Therapy and neurorehabilitation laboratory

In this lab, research is currently being conducted into the treatment of stroke patients who suffer from chronic aphasia, a condition that causes long-term speech and language problems. The research is currently focusing on further treatment methods and investigating the effects of short-term intensive aphasia therapy on cortical reorganization.

Consumer Laboratory

In this lab we investigate tactile and visual influences on product evaluation and consumer choice. To help with this research the department has recently acquired a 3-D printer, which enables us to design our own prototype products.

Developmental Laboratory

In this lab, we investigate a variety of developmental disorders in infants and children. We use a wide range of psychometric test batteries that help us to assess reading and language development, intelligence and other psychometric skills.