Iris Berent’s research seeks to unveil human nature and our intuitive understanding of it. To shed light on human nature, she explores the human capacity for language using phonology as a case study. Adopting a programmatic interdisciplinary approach, Dr. Berent examines whether phonology is constrained by abstract universal principles, and whether these principles are shared across language modalities—speech and sign. A second line of research investigates how laypeople reason about human nature. Of particular interest is whether our inborn cognitive capacities bias our understanding of what we know and who we think we are.
Publications
In The News
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Babies respond to sign language. What does that tell us about human nature?
Iris Berent's new research uncovers that infants are born with the ability to learn language, speech and sign. -
Research shows idea that mind and body are separate is natural — for neurotypical people
A new research paper by Northeastern professor Iris Berent demonstrates that the idea that the mind and body are separate and distinct rises naturally in people who are neurotypical and is not just the result of culture or environment. -
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. -
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? […]