The study of sensory, perceptual and cognitive processing and their development, leading to the perception, responding to and comprehension of visual, auditory and verbal stimuli. Research programs in perception include perception of motion, depth, texture and color, spatial vision, and visual search, with special emphasis given to the role of attention. Research programs in cognition include studies of attention, memory, reading, skill acquisition, second language skills, and musical performance skills. The developmental aspects of cognition currently investigated include the origins of a theory of mind in infancy and early lexical and conceptual development in monolingual and bilingual children. Research programs in neuropsychology give special emphasis to the role of attentional strategies, to auditory information in perceptual and cognitive processing, neuropsychological mechanisms and thought disorders, using neuropsychological methods such as brain wave recording and brain imaging.
Research is based on normal as well as clinical, neuropsychological and other special populations.
The study of the psychological processes important in developing and maintaining fitness and health. The role of stress and coping variables, as they influence health, illness and pain perception. The role of illness as a transition from healthy aging into frail old age. The experience, interpretation of and derived meaning of major illness by the elderly. The impact of various risk factors and disease states on cognitive function, and of cognition and suggestion on pain.