Under the Cortex

Real-Time Research: How Experience Sampling Method is Changing Psychology

How do you design a study that captures human experience as it unfolds in real time? In this episode, Under the Cortex explores the Experience Sampling Method (ESM), a powerful approach for studying psychological processes. Host Özge Gürcanlı Fischer-Baum is joined by Jessica Fritz from Osnabruck University, and Marilyn Piccirillo from the Rutgers Addiction Research Center and Brain Health Institute, who are among the coauthors of a new article published in Advances in Methods and Practices in Psychological Science. The paper outlines ten key design and implementation considerations for ESM studies, helping researchers apply this method with clarity, rigor, and real-world relevance. 

 

If you're interested in learning more about this research, visit psychologicalscience.org. 

 

Send us your thoughts and questions at underthecortex@psychologicalscience.org. 

Why Do Emotions Hijack Our Decisions? The Neuroscience of Impulsivity

Why do some people struggle to control their actions when emotions run high? What happens in the brain when impulsive decisions take over? Why do some brains lose control under high arousal, while others stay composed? 

In this episode of Under the Cortex, host Özge Gürcanlı Fischer-Baum speaks with Matthew V. Elliott from the University of California at Berkeley. Elliott’s study published in APS’s journal Clinical Psychological Science explores the science of emotion-related impulsivity —a trait linked to psychiatric disorders, aggression, and even suicidality. Fischer Baum and Elliott discuss how a new model of brain function, the GANE model, helps explain why heightened physiological arousal makes it harder for some people to regulate their emotions, what norepinephrine does to “hotspot” brain regions, and what this means for mental health treatments. 

If you're interested in learning more about this research, visit psychologicalscience.org. 

 

Send us your thoughts and questions at  underthecortex@psychologicalscience.org 

 

Beyond Words: Why TalkBank is Crucial for Spoken Language Research

Most linguistic datasets focus on written text, but what about the way we actually speak? TalkBank, the world’s largest open-access repository of spoken language, is helping researchers understand everything from child development to dementia, bilingualism, and even classroom learning. 

In this episode of Under the Cortex, host Ozge Gurcanli Fischer Baum speaks with Brian MacWhinney from the Carnegie Mellon University, who recently published an article in APS’s journal Current Directions in Psychological Science. MacWhinney, the creator of TalkBank, highlights how spoken language research is transforming our understanding of psychology and communication. The conversation evolves into the discussion of the importance of open-access language databases, the role of AI in analyzing speech, and the future of spoken language research across cultures and disciplines. 

If you're interested in learning more about this research, visit psychologicalscience.org. 

Send us your thoughts and questions at  underthecortex@psychologicalscience.org 

Ensuring Research Validity: A Checklist for Stronger Science

Scientific credibility depends on valid research. But with growing concerns about replication failures and questionable research practices, how can scientists ensure their findings stand up to scrutiny? 

In this episode, Under the Cortex explores the VALID checklist, a newly developed tool that helps researchers systematically assess the quality of their studies. Özge Gürcanlı Fischer Baum speaks with Susanne Kerschbaumer from the University of Vienna and asks how the checklist offers tailored guidance for different types of research designs. Kerschbaumer explains how the study published in APS’s journal Advances in Methods and Practices in Psychological Science addresses this important issue. Together, they discuss why validity is more than just good methodology, how researchers can avoid common pitfalls, and what the future of scientific rigor looks like. 

You can access the checklist using the following link: www.validchecklist.com 

If you're interested in learning more about this research, visit psychologicalscience.org. 

Send us your thoughts and questions at  underthecortex@psychologicalscience.org 

Young Minds, Smart Strategies: How Children Decide When to Use External Memory Aids

Do young children prefer to rely on their memory, or do they take the easier route and use external aids like lists and reminders? How do they decide when to put in the mental effort and when to lean on available tools? 

In this episode of Under the Cortex, host Özge Gürcanlı Fischer Baum teams up with Zsuzsa Kaldy from the University of Massachusetts Boston. They discuss Kaldy’s study published in APS’s journal Psychological Science addressing how children balance memory with external help. The conversation evolves into what these findings reveal about cognitive development, and cultural differences in learning. 

If you're interested in learning more about this research, visit psychologicalscience.org. 

Send us your thoughts and questions at  underthecortex@psychologicalscience.org 

Understanding Addiction: A General Liability or Unique Disorders?

Is there a single explanation that accounts for all addictive behaviors, or is the reality more complex? How can quantitative classification methods help uncover the nuances of substance dependence? 

In this episode, APS's Özge Gürcanlı Fischer Baum speaks with Ashley Watts from Vanderbilt University about her recent research article in Clinical Psychological Science. They discuss how simple explanations to addictive behavior – like the General Addiction Liability theory – may be appealing for a unified treatment approach, but a deeper, more quantitively rich dive into the data draws a more heterogenous picture. The paper argues that addiction follows a more diverse pattern, and the conversation highlights what this approach to addiction means for future research and for treatment strategies. 

If you're interested in learning more about this research, visit psychologicalscience.org. 

Send us your thoughts and questions at  underthecortex@psychologicalscience.org 

Addressing Selection Bias in Disparities Research

Psychological research often focuses on disparities, but how do the populations studied impact the reliability of findings? 

In this episode of Under the Cortex, Özge Gürcanlı Fischer Baum hosts Wen Wei Loh and Dongning Ren who recently published an article on this topic in APS’s journal Advances in Methods and Practices in Psychological Science. They discuss how non-representative samples can influence study conclusions and highlight solutions for strengthening study validity. 

If you're interested in learning more about this research, visit psychologicalscience.org. 

Send us your thoughts and questions at  underthecortex@psychologicalscience.org 

Beyond Focus: How Attention Shapes Learning Differently for Children and Adults

Children often surprise us with the details they remember—sometimes even better than adults! But what if their ability to learn comes not from focus, but from a broader, less selective attention? This episode unpacks research showing that while adults learn best when paying attention, children (ages 7-9) absorb information just as well, even when it’s irrelevant to their task. Could this be the secret behind their incredible learning abilities?  

In this episode of Under the Cortex, host Özge Gürcanlı Fischer Baum speaks with Marlie Tandoc from the University of Pennsylvania who recently published an article on learning and attention in APS’s journal Psychological Science. Together they discuss whether children’s weaker selective attention is a hidden strength by addressing findings on attention, memory, and childhood learning. 

If you're interested in learning more about this research, visit psychologicalscience.org. 

Send us your thoughts and questions at underthecortex@psychologicalscience.org 

Dosage Dilemma: Unpacking Meditation App Science

Although meditation apps are gaining popularity, a clear link between usage dosage and intervention outcomes has yet to be established. 

In this episode of Under the Cortex, host Özge Gürcanlı Fischer Baum teams up with Simon Goldberg from the University of Wisconsin to explore a critical question: “How does the “dosage” of meditation app use impact mental health outcomes? Drawing from a randomized controlled trial with 662 participants published in APS’s journal Clinical Psychological Science, the conversation examines various ways to measure dosage and how these metrics relate to changes in psychological distress. 

If you're interested in learning more about this research, visit psychologicalscience.org. 

Send us your thoughts and questions at  underthecortex@psychologicalscience.org.

The Hidden Cost of Caregiving: Stress, Anxiety and Coping Mechanisms

As populations age, the need for informal caregivers is increasing. As individuals step up to provide care for loved ones in need, they face their own mental health challenges. 

In this episode, Under the Cortex features Michael Kramer from the University of Zurich who recently published an article on this topic in APS’s journal Psychological Science. Özge Gürcanlı Fischer Baum starts the conversation with questions on the mental health decline of caregivers. Kramer highlights that caregiving doesn’t happen in isolation and discusses how contextual factors such as family conflicts and economic struggles play a significant role in the decline of overall well-being. 

If you're interested in learning more about this research, visit psychologicalscience.org. 

Send us your thoughts and questions at underthecortex@psychologicalscience.org.