Combined Computational and Empirical approaches to the study of Cognitive Neuroscience

(formerly Combined Computational and Behavioral Approaches to  
the Study of Cognition).

 

This training program includes both predoctoral and postdoctoral components. The 
goal of the program is to give the trainees the skills needed to build computational 
models that can predict as well as account for behavioral and neuro-imaging data 
of various psychological phenomena.  In addition, trainees will work on developing 
models that can account for performance differences between healthy controls and 
neuropsychological patients. In addition to developing computational models, 
trainees will also conduct empirical research and learn to skillfully incorporate 
neuroscience perspectives and methods into their programs of research.

 

Specific Training goals:

 

(1) Computer Simulation and Cognitive Modeling. An in-depth knowledge of 
and fluency in the use of at least one of the simulation formalisms, and minimally a 
working knowledge of at least one other formalism.

 

(2) Research methods and statistics. Training in the statistical procedures that 
enable a comparison of the empirical data to the predictions generated by simulations 
and assess the quality of the computational fits. 
Acquisition of basic skills necessary for conducting empirical research and 
drawing valid inferences from behavioral data.  Then learning to use the computational 
model that was developed to generate new predictions about what would have 
otherwise been a verbal theory, test the theory and then use the results to modify the 
theory and simulation.

 

(3) Appreciation of research on special populations and application of cognitive 
modeling to advance our understanding of mental disorders. Trainees will be exposed to research on special populations with mental 
disorders and will have the opportunity to work in the lab of a practitioner of clinical 
research.

 

The training faculty include:

 

Howard Aizenstein, John Anderson, Marlene Behrmann, Raymond Cho,
Cleotilde Gonzalez, Lori Holt, Marcel Just, Charles Kemp, Kenneth Koedinger,
Christian Lebiere, Michael Lewicki, Nancy Minshew, Tom Mitchell, Kevin Pelphrey,
Mary Phillips, David Plaut, Lynne Reder, Niels Taatgen, Erik Thiessen and
David Touretzky.


The Training Grant is funded by NIMH.


To learn more about this training program, please contact Lynne Reder