Language and Cognition
Language and cognition research examines how the mind processes, produces, and comprehends language and its relationship to thought. Our renowned faculty study speech perception, word recognition, sentence processing, and the neural basis of communication. Working across this interdisciplinary field that integrates linguistics, psychology, and neuroscience, they advance our understanding of how language shapes cognition, memory, and human understanding.
Members
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Dr. Barrett develops systems-level brain and body models unifying human affect, emotion, cognition, and action, drawing on psychology, neuroscience, physiology, philosophy, linguistics, biology, computer science, and engineering.
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Iris Berent’s research explores human nature through the capacity for language, using phonology as a case study to examine whether it is constrained by abstract universal principles shared across speech and sign modalities.
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Dr. Coley studies the basic cognitive processes underlying how people organize and use knowledge, how these processes develop over time, and how culture and experience shape knowledge organization and use.
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Dr. Davidow’s research bridges psychology, neuroscience, and computer science to investigate how different types of learning change across development in children, adolescents, and adults, influencing memory, decision-making, and goals.
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Dr. Gabard-Durnam studies how environments and neuroplasticity interact to shape brain and behavior development, aiming to understand the mechanisms driving healthy, resilient, or maladaptive outcomes.
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Dr. Peelle’s research is centered on the psychological and neural basis for human communication, particularly in the interaction between sensory and cognitive, and social factors.
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Dr. Qi studies the neurobiological organization of language in the brain, how it develops and is disrupted in neurodevelopmental disorders, and how this knowledge can enhance language learning and intervention.
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Dr. Seitz studies perception, learning, and multisensory processing using diverse methodologies to create accessible tools and personalized training that improve cognitive performance in underserved populations.
Related Institutes and Centers
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The Brain Game Center for Mental Fitness and Well-being designs interactive experiences for diverse populations to transform how we think about mental fitness and well-being.
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In the news
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Research
Nature report links wildlife trends to human well-being
Professor Brian Helmuth and Professor John Coley lead research chapter on the human connection to nature and its importance for the future of the planet. -
Our brains trick us into thinking consciousness can reside outside the body, new Northeastern research says
The origins of consciousness have been debated by philosophers for centuries. Each conscious person has a sense of “being me,” which invariably gives rise to the question of where that sense originated — from within or outside the body, says Northeastern University psychology professor Iris Berent. “How do human brains give rise to this experience?… -
Women more likely to perceive thoughts separate from the brain
New research by a Northeastern scientist says men and women differ in how they perceive bodies and minds, with women being more likely to see the mind as operating independently of body systems. -
Research
Does an infant’s body fat relate to cognitive and motor development?
Researchers include assistant professor Laurel Gabard-Durnam are looking beyond a weight and length to inform an infant’s neurological development. -
Research
Millions of people have macular degeneration. Could this training model help restore their sight?
Psychology professor Aaron Seitz says training people on how to use their peripheral vision can compensate for central vision problems.