Cognitive Science at Oswego

Leigh F. Bacher, Ph.D. Department of Psychology 455 Mahar Hall (Lab 113 Mahar Hall) leigh.bacher@oswego.edu 315.312.3475

Current research in the cognitive sciences

1. Face recognition memory: investigations of the roles of dopamine and personality (with Dr. Bernadette Sibuma, HCI/PSY).

This work seeks to examine mechanisms of memory in young adults. We are measuring performance on face recognition memory and working memory tasks and are using spontaneous eye blinking as an index of dopamine function. The inclusion of a personality measure (and other measures) will help us account for more of the variability in cognitive performance. An important aspect of this work is the use of an eye tracker to enable us to investigate whether patterns of attention play a role in memory performance. The project has implications for insights into the biological mechanisms of different memory systems and for better understanding of the interactions between cognitive processes and dimensions of personality.

Both graduate and undergraduate students can join this project. Please contact either Dr. Bacher or Dr. Sibuma for an interview.

2. Factors contributing to scientific thinking in college students (with Dr. Brad Wray, Philosophy).

We are investigating the contributions of a wide range of factors to the performance of scientific thinking. These factors include: demographic variables, coursework, aptitude, research experiences, and the role of a partner. Participants solve a set of problems alone and also a set when working with a partner. This project has implications for understanding the formation/development of scientific thinking in young adults as well as the educational aspects of teaching college students to use scientific thinking.

Both graduate and undergraduate students can join this project. Please contact either Dr. Bacher or Dr. Wray for an interview.

Other interests:

I am a developmental psychologist and my primary area of research relates to mechanisms of behavioral development in infants. I have completed an NIH funded project on the development of spontaneous eye blinking as well as projects on the development of reaching. I am particularly interested in attention – at any point across the life span.