Psychology Labs
Behavioral Neuroscience Lab
The behavioral neuroscience laboratory and attached wet lab feature light microscopy and a histology station with a cryostat, along with analog and digital channel EEG, Biopac, acoustic startle, Colbourn classical conditioning, and numerous other physiological assay apparati. Behavioral observation in water maze, elevated plus maze, and numerous other maze environments is aided by overhead video cameras which can be routed to Videomex image tracking equipment.
Cognition Lab
The cognitive psychology lab is located in a suite of rooms just down the hall from faculty offices. Each lab room is equipped with computers running E-Prime 2.0 software and response boxes with built in voice keys and microphones that allow us to measure millisecond-accurate responses from participants reading text, watching videos, or listening to stimuli through headphones. A larger main room provides ample space for lab meetings and research presentations.
Cognitive Neuroscience Lab
Darcy Burgund’s Cognitive Neuroscience lab examines visual object recognition, hemisphere asymmetries, and memory, with a particular focus on face processing. The lab contains equipment for tests of visual hemisphere asymmetries, including a haploscope, chin rests, Apple LED Cinema Display, and MacBook Pro computers.
https://sites.google.com/macalester.edu/burgundlab
Computer Lab
The Psychology Department has a computer lab with twelve Windows and five MacOS computers. The computers are equipped with specialized statistical analysis software such as IBM SPSS Statistics and R+.
Development of Social Identities Lab
For children to thrive in our increasingly diverse society, they must be prepared to engage with issues of race and racism. Research suggests that two of the best places for children to learn about race and racism are from their teachers and parents (through processes known as ethnic-racial socialization). Currently, the “DSI Lab” is examining how elementary school teachers address race and racism with their students and how elementary-age children, themselves, say they learn about race.
https://www.carigillenoneel.com/research
iLab
The iLab is a joint Augsburg/Macalester research and teaching eye-tracking lab funded by National Science Foundation (NSF) Transforming Undergraduate Education in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (TUES) Grant #1044006. The primary goals of this research lab are to introduce state-of-the-art eye movement research techniques to a broad range of students and faculty, and to expand methodological possibilities and tools in psychology courses, class-associated laboratory sections, and student and faculty research. The Macalester/Augsburg iLab was instituted in 2011.
Learning Lab
The learning/behavior analysis laboratory contains a number of small animal operant chambers which can be outfitted with a variety of manipulanda, exteroceptive stimuli, and reinforcement delivery devices, all controlled by Med Associates interfacing. Specialized mazes, running wheels, and other devices are also available.
Morality and Social Cognition Lab
The Morality and Social Cognition lab investigates the social and cognitive processes that underlie moral judgment, including questions about how people make inferences about others’ minds, how these inferences shape moral judgments, and how negative moral judgments like blame may differ from positive ones like praise.
Study and Social Spaces
The Department has several dedicated spaces for students to gather, relax, and study. The Student Lounge features comfy furniture and is equipped with a microwave.