The Cognitive Neuroscience and Animal Behavior (CNAB) lab investigates mechanisms underlying cognition and behavior from both comparative and developmental perspectives. We investigate cognitive questions related to metacognition, self-control, prospective memory and choice behavior. These abilities are investigated comparatively by testing a variety of species, including human and nonhuman primates, to more fully understand the evolutionary trajectory and emergence of the basic mechanisms underlying more sophisticated cognitive skills. We also test children in an effort to understand how these skills, which are typically present in fully matured humans, develop in relation to biological development and the onset of certain cognitive skills such as executive function. Finally, a focus of the lab is to express these findings to the general public in the form of informal science communication. Undergraduate students have been involved in all phases of these research projects and gain valuable experience in formulating a research question and executing the process.
