We conduct research in the area of communication and cognition across the life span. More specifically, we are interested in understanding the cognitive processes such as theory of mind and working memory underlying language in children, normal adults, and adults with neurological impairment. We are also interested in investigating the psychological and cognitive bases of facial and vocal emotions. Recently, we completed a case study on the linguistic and cognitive aspects of lexical-gustatory synesthesia (people who associate words with tastes). Recent evidence from psychology and neuroscience (including our own collaborative work) suggests that such cross-modal associations are not unique to people with synesthesia. It appears to be operational in neurologically normal individuals. We are currently investigating the linguistic and cognitive factors associated with different types of synesthesia. Additionally, we are pursuing research on multisensory associations in neurologically normal and atypical individuals—both children and adults. Such investigations may have wider implications for understanding language acquisition, language-processing mechanisms, language evolution, and eventually will provide insights into language therapy.
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Recent Update: A study titled- Unmasking the Psychology of Recognizing Emotions of People Wearing Masks: The Role of Empathizing, Systemizing, and Autistic Traits was recently published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences.
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Current Projects
1. Role of Iconicity and Autistic Traits in Word Learning: A Comparative Study Across Four Countries
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The effects of iconicity and autistic traits on novel word learning were explored through online experiments which were conducted in the US, Japan, India, and Brazil. Healthy adult participants (18-40 years) were administered the Autism Quotient (AQ) questionnaire and an explicit word learning task. In the word learning task, images that either had iconic names (congruent condition) or non-iconic names (incongruent condition) were presented. Their comprehension was subsequently assessed using a three-alternative forced-choice paradigm. The findings will shed light on the interplay between iconicity and autistic traits in
novel word learning.
This study is being conducted in collaboration with researchers from Waseda University (Japan), Indian Institute of Technology (Kanpur, India). and Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (Brazil).
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Status: Data collection is complete in the US, Japan, and India. Data is still being collected in Brazil.
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2. The Benefits of Large Language Models in Speech Language Pathology
The potential benefits of using generative AI tools such as ChatGPT for practicing speech language pathologists and audiologists were investigated by asking 8 university-based speech-language pathologists and an audiologist to develop a dataset of questions in their areas of expertise. The responses generated by the generative AI models (ChatGPT 3.5 and 4) were rated by the experts who developed the questions for accuracy (6-point scale) and completeness (3-point scale). To avoid any bias, the investigators developing the questions did not enter their questions into any generative AI tools.
The findings of this study will reveal the potential benefits and pitfalls of using generative AI tools in
the field of communication sciences and disorders.
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This study is being conducted in collaboration with researchers from 5 different universities across the US.
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Status: Data collection in progress
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Past Research Projects:
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Theory of mind in aphasia
Novel word learning and working memory in aphasia
Relationship between musical training and working memory
Working memory and incidental word learning in children and adults
Psychophysiological responses to vocal emotions
Vocal pitch changes in response to facial emotions
Sound symbolism and emotions
Linguistic and cognitive aspects of lexical-gustatory synesthesia
Hemispheric Specialization for processing iconic words: A line bisection study
Crossmodal association in aphasia
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