Lab Projects  

Investigating the Role of Attentional Bias in Anxiety: 

A Multifactorial Approach Using Behavioral & Online Measures (2015 – present) - We are trying to investigate the role of attentional bias in anxiety. The approach seeks to test the Attentional Control Theory (Eyesenck et al., 2007), which proposes that anxiety impairs attentional control, and seeks to examine the role of anxiety in a variety of attentional & executive control processes. We are using  behavioral (Reaction time, Accuracy) based measures on a large number of subjects to uncover the relationship between the said factors on a range of experimental tasks. 

Investigating the Self – Perception Bias: 

We are investigating whether the preference for perceiving information relevant to the self – concept is a property of the perceptual – attentional system or more of a cultural artifact motivated by cultural values of individualism vs. collectivism. 

Investigating the Perception of Symmetry across the two Cerebral Hemispheres: We are currently interested in figuring out whether the perception of symmetry is mediated by right or the left cerebral hemisphere preferentially. 

  Sponsored Projects  

Investigating Visual Word Processing in Hindi (2017 – present):

In this DST – Sponsored Research project we are investigating the visual processing of Hindi words. Visual processing used to read Hindi words is special because of the unique characteristics of the Devanagari Script, in that it has non – linear markings in addition to larger grain size of letters, better known as ‘aksharas’ in Hindi. 

Investigating the Lateralization of Attentional Processes (2016 – present): 

In this project funded by DST – INSPIRE Faculty Award, we are investigating whether various processes in attention (orienting, alerting, inhibition; attentional blink; & space vs. object based attention) are preferentially processed by either of the two cerebral hemispheres. At present the first phase of behavioral experiments is completed. We are now looking for more tasks to examine the effects. The research is motivated by findings of weak lateralization of attention & executive control processes in patents of alzheimer’s disease and fronto– temporal dementias and we are looking to develop a battery of tasks to examine & diagnose the same. The findings may be relevant for developing rehab methods for such patients.