Aims and mission

SPECOLA, established at the Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova in 1999, hosts a variety of research projects, that focus primarily on the role of cognition, motivation and communication in the regulation of social behavior and that investigate the thoughts and behaviors of individuals in social context. SPECOLA investigates diverse social-cognitive phenomena, including prejudice, stereotyping, social and self-perception, and problem social behaviors, with a broad vision that cuts across disciplinary boundaries. For this reason, our work is informed and shaped by recent insights in cognitive science, communication, language and neuroscience. Mission of SPECOLA is to promote the scientific interaction between its members and with colleagues in the rest of the world who share similar interests.

Methods

The work of SPECOLA consists of experimental research as well as correlational and longitudinal field research. The research includes a wide range of measures such as behavioral, self-report, reaction time and electro-physiological measures.
Please visit the on-line laboratory to grasp an idea of some of the instrument we currently use (in Italian language).

Facilities

The SPECOLA group has at its disposal 4 laboratories. Three of them are equipped with computers for the collection of experimental data using different software (e.g., Inquisit, E-Prime, Superlab). One lab is equipped with cubicles that enable the collection of data from up to 4 participants simultaneously. One lab is used for running small group experiments and interactions can be recorded through a NV-GS-150 video camera.