I am a Professor in the Psychology and Philosophy Department at Sam Houston State University. The time I spent at Gombe National Park, Tanzania (Africa), observing chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) from the Kasekela community, shaped the way I view the primate mind, communication in human and non-human animals, and the methods we use to study social cognition. My current research project focuses on the effects that stress and personality type (i.e. individual behavioral differences that are relatively stable in time and across contexts) has on the cognitive performance of dogs (Canis familiaris). I am also interested exploring ways…
I am a Professor in the Psychology and Philosophy Department at Sam Houston State University. The time I spent at Gombe National Park, Tanzania (Africa), observing chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) from the Kasekela community, shaped the way I view the primate mind, communication in human and non-human animals, and the methods we use to study social cognition. My current research project focuses on the effects that stress and personality type (i.e. individual behavioral differences that are relatively stable in time and across contexts) has on the cognitive performance of dogs (Canis familiaris). I am also interested exploring ways in which we can prioritize the welfare of dogs as research participants by providing them with the opportunity to dissent (i.e. refusal to participate in research).
