Psychological Sciences

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Attention and Perception Lab

 

Dr. Baylis has currently two main research programs

 

Co-Attention

Typically, if you see someone looking at something, you will automatically look in the same direction; this attending-with-another is called co-attention. Many questions remain to be answered about this – for example, does it matter to me that you and I are in the same emotional state? So, if you are happy, and looking at something, will I follow your attention if I am depressed.

 

Another question concerns persons on the Autism spectrum: they are known to show poor co-attention. On the other hand there are some persons without an ASD diagnosis who apparently may show poor co-attention. Are these persons un-diagnosed, and “should” be on the spectrum? Or is there another explanation?

Transcranial Focused Ultrasound (tFUS)

The latest technique to temporarily disrupt brain activity is tFUS. I am currently working with a long-time collaborator (who happened to be the world authority on all brain stimulation techniques) – at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC. Opportunities exist for students to travel to MUSC and enjoy free accommodation while working on this cutting-edge project. Our current project involves sending ultrasound into primary visual cortex, leading to temporary disruption, and a temporary scotoma. Simply speaking, object disappear!