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.
Lab Members
Colby Smith ('23)
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Skyler Dela Cruz ('23)
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Tia-Jane Fowler ('23)
Current and Recent Projects
- Social learning and oxytocin levels in dogs (Dr. Alexa Tullis, Biology; Skyler Dela Cruz, '23)
- Assessing raptor cognition via the string-pull test (Colby Smith, '23)
- Quantity discrimination by dogs (Devin Anderson, '22)
- 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
- Devin Anderson ('22)
- 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 |