Language and Learning Lab

What:

The language and learning lab is a place to explore interdisciplinary methods for understanding language, language learning and general cognition.
We use a variety of methods, but the primary one is artificial grammar learning. In this paradigm, participants (primarily adults) are exposed to a miniature version of a novel, made up language (but based on real languages). By seeing what and how speakers learn new languages, we can better understand both the learning process, as well as the representations that speakers use to learn these new languages. The goal is to get a better understanding of cognitive biases in relation to the set of languages found across the world.
We are currently working to develop a paradigm to measure brain activity (using an average of EEG, ERPs) to understand the time course of language learning, and how exceptions to language patterns are processed.

Where:

We are located at PLU in Ramstad 106F. We are also set up to run experiments online. We use the FindingFive platform for designing and running our experiments.

Who:

PI: Dr. Sara Finley
Undergraduates (Spring 2024): Mason McFarland, Amy Ruiz
YOU? If you're interested in working in the lab as a research assistant, email Dr. Finley (finley@plu.edu).

When:

Studies are typically run during the academic year through the SONA system for research familiarization.

Why:

One of the important goals of psychology and cognitive science is to understand what makes us human. At the language and learning lab, language and learning are two of the most interesting things that make us who we are. Humans have an amazing ability to find patterns and structure in seemingly arbitrary spaces. Our ability to communicate with complex language may be one of the most important innovations in all of human history.

Lab Alumni (I don't always update this regularly, so if a name is missing please let me know!):