Department of Psychology

Our research into cognition and developmental processes delivers impacts in education, mental health and the workplace.

We explore the nature of cognitive processes – such as attention, perception, language, learning, memory and reasoning – across the lifespan. We investigate how cognitive processes develop in children, how these processes work in adults and the decline of mental processes in old age.

We research how cognition might be affected by mental health problems and neurological conditions. We also investigate whether similar processes can be observed in non-human species.

Our behavioural studies are conducted with children, young adults and elderly adults, as well as non-human species such as dogs and primates. These studies take place in our dedicated psychology research laboratories and in external environments including schools, the workplace, dog rescue centres and wildlife reserves.

Featured project.

Cognition and Development

With a focus on cognitive and clinical neuroscience, our aim is to understand the biological processes underlying cognition and perception.

We explore how these processes are established, how they differ in (a-)typically developing populations and whether they are critically linked to particular brain areas. We also investigate the potential benefits of brain stimulation methods to mitigate disease-related symptoms and improve cognition.

Our researchers utilise electrophysiological (EEG), neuroimaging (fMRI/fNIRS) as well as neuromodulatory methods (TMS/tDCS). These studies take place in our psychology research laboratories and in the field through our collaborations with the Hull and East Riding Hospitals NHS Trust.

Featured project.

Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience

Our research explores how psychological factors affect and interact with health, wellbeing and a range of physical and mental health problems. The results are used to improve interventions and services – and to help health services become more psychologically-minded.

Our work incorporates expertise from a range of disciplines and often involves practitioners. We simultaneously work ‘bottom up’ (being informed by the realities of clinical and other practice) and ‘top down’ (being informed by psychological research and theory).

An integral part of our work is educating patients and non-psychological colleagues about the role of psychological factors in health and health behaviours – including topics such as diabetes or recycling that do not seem, on the surface, 'psychological’.

We advance psychology theory and improve the psychological content of interventions and services. From improving assessment of workplace stress in demanding jobs such as policing to using memory techniques to reduce depression, examples of our work are wide-ranging.

Featured project.

Psychology of Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing

Our Centre for Human Factors aims to make work healthier, drawing in expertise from across the University.

We address psychosocial risks to health and safety in the workplace, tackling issues such as risk management and stress and fatigue through proactive and preventative approaches.

Our experienced team offers a range of consultancy and applied research services with knowledge gained across a range of industries including oil and gas, offshore wind, local government and emergency services.

Featured project.

Centre for Human Factors