PhD Studentship Cognition and Emotion: intertwined or distinct abilities? University of Hull -Faculty of Science and Engineering A psychophysical and eye-tracking study. To celebrate the University's research successes, the University of Hull is offering 13 full-time UK/EU PhD Scholarship or International Fees Bursaries for candidates applying for the areas within the Faculty of Science and Engineering, including the one listed below. Closing date: - 3rd February 2014. Studentships will start on 29th September 2014 Supervisor: Dr Tjeerd Jellema, T.Jellema@hull.ac.uk<mailto:T.Jellema@hull.ac.uk>, 01482-466490, Department of Psychology Co-supervisor: Dr Jason Tipples, Department of Psychology This project investigates the intricate ways in which cognition and emotion relate to each other. To what extent can they operate separately and independently, to what extent do they enhance, compensate or cancel each other? These are fundamental questions psychologists only recently are starting to get a grasp of. For cognition to be fully effective, it is not enough that the agent is able to understand and predict developments in the environment, it must also care about them, it must desire certain types of outcomes and shun others. This would suggest that the capacities for cognition and emotion are closely intertwined, and that emotions are basically computational tags that subserve and facilitate cognitive processes like decision making. However, research using subliminal stimulus presentations suggested that affective values can get attached to a stimulus without recognition of that stimulus. This view is best exemplified by a study reported in Science by Kunst-Wilson and Zajonc (1980), which forms the starting point for the current project. The questions are in particular relevant for the study of autism, where the core deficits are of a cognitive-emotional nature. Therefore, individuals with autism will be compared with matched typically-developed individuals to investigate how the intertwinement of emotion and cognition is affected in autism. The participant's eye position will be tracked (EyeLink1000) as an indicator of unconscious learning effects (preferences). Experience with autism and/or eye-tracking is an advantage, but is no requirement as training will be provided. The Psychology department offers a vibrant and supportive research environment with excellent research facilities (including eye-trackers, EEG, TMS, and fMRI). To apply for this post please click on the 'Apply' button below In order to qualify for this scholarship you will require a 2.1 in a relevant subject. Full-time UK/EU PhD Scholarship will include fees at the 'home/EU' student rate and maintenance (£13,726 in 2013/14) for three years, depending on satisfactory progress. Full-time International Fee PhD Studentships will include full fees at the International student rate for three years, dependant on satisfactory progress. PhD students at the University of Hull follow modules for research and transferable skills development and gain a Masters level Certificate, or Diploma, in Research Training, in addition to their research degree. Dr Jason Tipples Department of Psychology The University of Hull Hull, HU6 7RX, UK T: +44 (0) 1482 466158 F: +44 (0) 1482 465400 J.Tipples(a)hull.ac.uk ***************************************************************************************** To view the terms under which this email is distributed, please go to http://www.hull.ac.uk/legal/email_disclaimer.html ***************************************************************************************** ************************************************** To view the terms under which this email is distributed, please go to http://www2.hull.ac.uk/legal/disclaimer.aspx **************************************************