Research Topics
■ The psychophysical study of visual cognition and the experimental psychological study of cognition
■ Physiological psychology of sensibility, emotion, and motivation

The research track in Fundamental Psychology experimentally investigates human information processing and behaviors in order to uncover and empirically prove their mechanisms and general laws. This research track is characterized by sophisticated methodologies that incorporate scientific objectivity, rigor, and reproducibility.
This research track specifically studies visual information processing such as optical illusions, face perception, makeup perception, object recognition, mental imagery, and spatial cognition, as well as the cognitive processes involved in memories, thoughts, judgments, decision-making, facial impressions, and sensitivity. This research area is located between the natural and social sciences. We collaborate with the industry and are actively conducting practical research projects.
Another area of study we are engaged in is physiological psychology, that is the multi-dimensional examination of the human mind based on three dimensions: subjectivity, behavior, and physiology. Through the measurement of electroencephalography, the autonomic nervous system, and mimetic muscle activities, our research targets psychological processes that are difficult to observe in survey responses or overt behavior, such as sensibility, emotion, and motivation. In addition, through this research we endeavor to contribute to the industrial and engineering sectors.
Graduate students pursue research topics that interest them and develop the necessary skills to succeed as professional researchers and corporate counselors. Students learn various research methods, construct research questions, logically organize ideas, acquire presentation techniques including oral presentation skills in Japanese and English, write papers in English, and so on.