Research
The Cognition & Affect Lab intersects decision-making, self-regulation, emotions, and individual differences to understand the choices we make in different contexts.
The lab is an undergraduate-focus team with an open membership policy. We focus on inclusivity and flexibility to help students develop basic research skills and confidence.
Current Projects:
The Student Experience Surevey
In this longitudinal survey, students are asked to report on psychosocial variables across the semester to determine which factors impact student retention.
Risky Decisions in Social Situations
This study ivestigates how repeated decisions are impacted by experienced affect from a previous social decision. It is implemented like a repeated-gambling paradigm but with social vignettes and fixed choices with associated risks.
Publications:
- Pashak, T. J., Percy, C. S., Trierweiler, E. J., Bradley, S. M., Conley, M. A., & Weaver, J. S. (2022). Awareness isn't saving lives: An experimental exploration of suicide risk reduction methods for emerging adults. Suicide & life-threatening behavior. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/sltb.12857
- Dutta, R., Pashak, T. J., McCullough, J. D., Weaver, J. S., & Heron, M. R. (2019). From consumers to producers: Three phases in the research journey with undergraduates at a regional university. Frontiers in Psychology, 9:2770. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02770
- Juergensen, J., Weaver, J. S., May, C. N., & Demaree, H. A. (2018). More Than Money: Experienced Positive Affect Reduces Risk-Taking Behavior on a Real-World Gambling Task. Frontiers in Psychology, 9:2116. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02116
- Demaree, H. A., Weaver, J. S., & Juergensen, J. (2015). A Fallacious “Gambler’s Fallacy”? Commentary on Xu and Harvey (2014). Cognition, 139, 168-170.
- Juergensen, J., Weaver, J. S., Burns, K. J., Knutson, P. E., Butler, J. L., & Demaree, H. A. (2014). Surprise is predicted by event probability, outcome valence, outcome meaningfulness, and gender. Motivation and Emotion, 38(2), 297-304.
- Corvi, A. P., Juergensen, J., Weaver, J. S., & Demaree, H. A. (2012). Subjective time perception and behavioral activation strength predict delay of gratification ability. Motivation and Emotion, 36(4), 483-490.
- Lawrence, B. M., & Weaver, J. S. (2011). Manipulations of the relationship between response alternatives and exogenous saccade latencies. Experimental Brain Research, 214(2), 241-247.