Psycholinguistics and Cognitive Modeling (ILP)

Our research group investigates the cognitive mechanisms underlying real-time language comprehension. We study how individuals process language incrementally –  integrating words and structures as sentences unfold – and how multiple sources of linguistic, pragmatic, and world knowledge are combined, particularly in situations of ambiguity or conflict.

Our empirical approach combines experimental techniques, such as eye-tracking during reading and large-scale online behavioral studies, with computational methods to analyze and model language processing.  We further explore the internal workings of large neural language models as potential models of human language comprehension.  Ongoing efforts are also directed towards statistical methodology and the development and critical evaluation of experimental research methods.

Specific research topics include:
- Ambiguity processing in language comprehension
- Individual differences in reading and reading ability assessment
- Morphosyntactic processing and the role of working memory
- Advanced eye-tracking and statistical methods
- Neural language models as cognitive models of language processing
- Limits of compositionality in sentence processing
- Cross-linguistic research on resumptive pronouns
- Implicit linguistic gender bias
- Cognitive constraints on word order across languages

For an accessible article about our work on gender bias in language, see: 
[New York Times: “She’s the next President. Wait, did you read that right?” (2020)](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/24/us/politics/woman-president-she-her.html)

Our courses introduce students to core questions in psycholinguistics and theories of language comprehension, with a strong emphasis on practical research skills.  Instruction is project-based and hands-on, preparing students to design and conduct experimental and computational studies.  Course content includes data analysis, basic scientific programming, and project management skills broadly applicable within and beyond academia.