Language and Learning Lab
What: The language and learning lab is a place to explore interdisciplinary methods for understanding language, language learning and cognition in general.
We use a variety of methods, but the primary one is artificial grammar learning. In this paradigm, participants (adults and kids) 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.
Where: We are located at PLU in Ramstad 106F. We hope to have online experiments up soon to reach out to more students.
Who:
PI: Dr. Sara Finley
Undergraduates: Abby Stringer (working on the ERP/time course of language project), Michael Medina (working on cross-situational learning and morphological classes), Nicole Wirth (working on metathesis project, current recording star)
YOU? If you're interested in working in the lab as a research assistant, email Dr. Finley (finley@plu.edu). There are openings for next semester!
When:
Studies are typically run during the academic year through the SONA system for research familiarization.
However, we have some funding for paid studies during J-term and summer. Email finley@plu.edu if you're interested in participating.
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.