Cognitive Psychology Lab
Augustana College's Cognition Lab - Current Work
Psycholinguistics: Metaphors, Jokes, and Dirty Words
Meyers & Corts (2003) and Corts (2006) both describe how metaphor is produced in natural (ie, not laboratory-controlled) discourse by one person, specifically lecturers and other public speakers. More recently, Corts, Konfirst, Ferguson, and Nguyen (2006) have extended this line of work to examine metaphorical production in dialogs and small-group discourse.
Directed Forgetting
Directed forgetting is a model for studying memory updating, the process through which an individual forgets (hopefully) unimportant information to save room for more important things. There are two dominant lab procedures used to study directed forgetting: item method and list method. Our research group has developed a third technique-- the category method. We are currently exploring the implications of decision making on directed forgetting.
Statistical Consulting & Program Evaluation
Our consulting work focuses on the measurement of cognitive and behavioral outcomes, attitudes, and opinions. Our major project is with 21st Century Learning Centers throughout western Illinois. These are grant-funded, school-based programs designed to address community needs in nontraditional learning hours (before school, after school, and during summer or other extended breaks). We are also working on evaluating continuing education programs for teachers of math and science.
