Projects
Reinforcement learning and emotional lability in ADHD KU Leuven
ADHD is very prevalent and impairing. Amongst others reinforcement learning [in partial reinforcement and extinction] deficits and emotional lability are considered core to ADHD. Behavioural interventions for ADHD are based on reinforcement learning mechanisms i.e. changing behaviour through manipulating reinforcement or punishment. However, three important factors have largely been ignored in ADHD treatment studies: first; the fact that ...
EAGER: Extinction, Avoidance and Generalization in Emotional disoRders. KU Leuven
Counterproductive behavior in the workplace: The detrimental effects of negative performance feedback Ghent University
This research project will look at the potential negative effects of organizational performance feedback. First, we will examine whether negative performance feedback leads to counterproductive work behavior. Second, we will look into the mediating effects of negative emotions on this relationship. Finally, we will investigate whether situational and individual difference variables moderate this relationship.
New words, new questions. Construction of a conceptual model to broaden the philosophical discussion of the psychology of moral behavior Ghent University
Since the end of the twentieth century, moral psychology and moral philosophy have taken a sentimental turn: the emphasis lies on emotions as motivating factors for moral behavior. However, what role do U+2018rationalU+2019 cognitive factors play in the production of moral behavior? This research approaches this question by using insights from evolutionary sciences and neurosciences.
Toward improved translatability of animal research: Developing advanced social behavior tests in rats to assess microRNA depletion as a novel treatment target for the core social symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder. KU Leuven
Rodents emit distinct types of ultrasonic vocalizations. These ultrasonic vocalizations have been shown to serve important socio-affective communicative functions in regulating social interactions. For instance, 50-kHz calls help to maintain social contact and promote play behavior and are associated with activity in brain reward centers, as shown in playback experiments (The Journal of Neuroscience, 2014). Their production can be provoked by ...
Time-In: promoting positive behavior and school readiness Ghent University
The main goal is to evaluate Time-In as an example of ‘good care’ protocol for Flemish education. Five research questions are formulated. First, two studies evaluated the basic assumptions of Time-In: emotion regulation and social-emotional have an impact on school readiness. Next, Time-In was implemented in an during 2014 – 2015 and evaluated in a pre-test post-test design.
Toward an increased understanding of suboptimal behavior from a goal-directed perspective KU Leuven
People often engage in suboptimal behaviors that do not align with their explicit goals. Examples are action slips, impulsive behaviors, and behavioral reluctances. These types of behavior are especially likely when a behavior has been selected frequently in the past and when individuals face poor operating conditions (e.g., a lack of time, attention, or motivation) due to fatigue, stress, or cognitive load.
Traditional dual-process ...
The role of goal-directed processes in the causation of seemingly habitual behavior KU Leuven
People sometimes do not behave in line with their explicit goals or not in their best interest. Examples of such suboptimal behaviors are action slips (e.g., entering an old password), impulsive behaviors (e.g., unhealthy eating), and behaviors in psychopathological disorders (e.g., substance use and compulsions). Suboptimal behaviors frequently occur under conditions such as stress or time pressure. The research questions addressed in this ...
Green efforts: Assessing pro-environmental behavior in the lab and real-life through the lens of cognitive effort Ghent University
Despite being aware of the pressing threats related to global warming, shrinking biodiversity, and exhaustion of natural resources, we observe a gap between this awareness and commensurate changes in individuals’ behavior. The present proposal aims to explore the role of cognitive effort in pro-environmental behavior as a potential common denominator of the knowledge-behavior gap, and may in turn help to overcome it. Although humans typically ...