Animal Behavior and Cognition Lab
The University of Puget Sound's Animal Behavior and Cognition Lab focuses on a variety of psychological research questions which can be investigated through the study of nonhuman animals. The lab studies behavior from social, comparative, developmental, and animal welfare perspectives.
Dr. Colbert-White will not be taking any research students for fall 2019.
Dr. Colbert-White will not be taking any research students for fall 2019.
Lab Members
Due to the global pandemic, all active research projects are on pause.
Current and Recent Projects
- The effects of reward on dogs' choice behavior (collaboration with Dr. Alexa Tullis, Biology, and Maxx King, '19)
- Comparative cognition literature review (Anna Marchand, '19; Dylan Richmond, '15)
- Standardizing methods for assessing the uncanny valley (André Zamani, '19)
- The effects of animal presence on feelings of social exclusion (Alissa Charvonia, '17)
- Dogs' use of intonation as a social referencing cue (collaboration with Dr. Alexa Tullis, Biology)
- The effects of predator stress on empathy-like helping behavior by Norway rats (Eden Ehrmann, '17)
- Assessment of the role of previous experience as a motivator of empathy-like helping behavior by Norway rats (Dylan Richmond '15)
- Assessment of validity and reliability of temperament (i.e., behavioral syndromes) measurements in Norway rats (Jennifer Onaga '15)
- Paired sleeping behavior and its correlates to exploratory behavior in Norway rats (Allison Winzenried, '16)
Lab Alumni
- Andee Rorabaugh ('20)
- Gordon Zhang ('20)
- Anna Marchand ('19)
- André Zamani ('19)
- Lilly Bengtson ('18)
- Erin Cummiskey ('18)
- Eden Ehrmann ('17)
- Kaylana Patterson ('17)
- Kiona Parker ('17)
- Alissa Charvonia ('17)
- Allison Winzenried ('16)
- Jennifer Onaga ('15)
- Dylan Richmond ('15)
Research Assistant Application
Students who are interested in joining the lab as a research assistant are encouraged to email Dr. Colbert-White first to express their interest prior to filling out an application.

Research Assistant Application.doc | |
File Size: | 49 kb |
File Type: | doc |