(formerly Combined Computational and Behavioral Approaches to the Study of Cognition).

This training program includes both predoctoral and postdoctoral components. The goal of the program is to give the trainees the skills needed to build computational models that can predict as well as account for behavioral and neuro-imaging data of various psychological phenomena. In addition, trainees will work on developing models that can account for performance differences between healthy controls and neuropsychological patients. In addition to developing computational models, trainees will also conduct empirical research and learn to skillfully incorporate neuroscience perspectives and methods into their programs of research.

Specific Training goals:
(1) Computer Simulation and Cognitive Modeling. An in-depth knowledge of and
fluency in the use of at least one of the simulation formalisms, and minimally a
working knowledge of at least one other formalism.
(2) Research methods and statistics. Training in the statistical procedures that enable
a comparison of the empirical data to the predictions generated by simulations
and assess the quality of the computational fits. Acquisition of basic skills
necessary for conducting empirical research and drawing valid inferences from
behavioral data. Then learning to use the computational model that was
developed to generate new predictions about what would have otherwise been a
verbal theory, test the theory and then use the results to modify the
theory and simulation.
(3) Appreciation of research on special populations and application of cognitive
modeling to advance our understanding of mental disorders. Trainees will be
exposed to research on special populations with mental disorders and will have
the opportunity to work in the lab of a practitioner of clinical research.


The training faculty include:

Howard Aizenstein / John Anderson / Marlene Behrmann / Raymond Cho
Cleotilde Gonzalez / Lori Holt / Marcel Just / Charles Kemp / Kenneth Koedinger
Christian Lebiere / Nancy Minshew / Tom Mitchell / Mary Phillips / David Plaut
Lynne Reder / Greg Siegle / Michael Tarr / Erik Thiessen / David Touretzky


The Training Grant is funded by NIMH.



To learn more about this training program, please contact Lynne Reder (reder@cmu.edu)