The goal of computational modeling in behavioral and psychological science is using mathematical models to characterize behavioral (or neural) data. Over the past decade, this practice has revolutionized social psychological science (and neuroscience) by allowing researchers to formalize theories as constrained mathematical models and test specific hypotheses to explain unobservable aspects of complex social cognitive processes and behaviors. This course is composed of 4 modules in the format of Jupyter Notebooks. This course comprises lecture-based, discussion-based, and lab-based instruction. At least one-third of class sessions will be hands-on. We will discuss relevant book chapters and journal articles, and work with simulated and real data using the Python programming language (no prior programming experience necessary) as we survey some selected areas of research at the intersection of computational modeling and social behavior. These selected topics will span a broad set of social psychological abilities including (1) learning from and for others, (2) learning about others, and (3) social influence on decision-making and mental states. Rhoads, S. A. & Gan, L. (2022). Computational models of human social behavior and neuroscience - An open educational course and Jupyter Book to advance computational training.  ​​​Journal of Open Source Education, 5(47), 146. https://doi.org/10.21105/jose.00146

This lesson breaks down the principles of Bayesian inference and how it relates to cognitive processes and functions like learning and perception. It is then explained how cognitive models can be built using Bayesian statistics in order to investigate how our brains interface with their environment. 

This lesson corresponds to slides 1-64 in the PDF below. 

This is a tutorial on designing a Bayesian inference model to map belief trajectories, with emphasis on gaining familiarity with Hierarchical Gaussian Filters (HGFs).

This lesson corresponds to slides 65-90 of the PDF below. 

This lecture covers a lot of post-war developments in the science of the mind, focusing first on the cognitive revolution, and concluding with living machines.

This lecture provides an overview of depression (epidemiology and course of the disorder), clinical presentation, somatic co-morbidity, and treatment options.

This lesson is part 1 of 2 of a tutorial on statistical models for neural data.

What is the difference between attention and consciousness? This lecture describes the scientific meaning of consciousness, journeys on the search for neural correlates of visual consciousness, and explores the possibility of consciousness in other beings and even non-biological structures.

This lesson provides an overview of the current status in the field of neuroscientific ontologies, presenting examples of data organization and standards, particularly from neuroimaging and electrophysiology. 

Following the previous lesson on neuronal structure, this lesson discusses neuronal function, particularly focusing on spike triggering and propogation. 

This lesson introduces the practical exercises which accompany the previous lessons on animal and human connectomes in the brain and nervous system. 

This lesson discusses a gripping neuroscientific question: why have neurons developed the discrete action potential, or spike, as a principle method of communication? 

This lesson provides an introduction to the myriad forms of cellular mechanisms whicn underpin healthy brain function and communication. 

This lesson provides an introduction to the course Cellular Mechanisms of Brain Function.

In this lesson you will learn about ion channels and the movement of ions across the cell membrane, one of the key mechanisms underlying neuronal communication. 

This lesson presents the typical setup, equipment, and solutions used in whole-cell recording of neurons. 

This lesson provides an introductory overview to synaptic transmission and associated neurotransmitters. 

This lecture covers NeuronUnit, a library that builds upon SciUnit and integrates with several existing neuroinformatics resources to support validating single-neuron models using data gathered by neurophysiologists.

This lesson provides an introduction to the NeuroElectro project, which aims to organize information on cellular neurophysiology.

This lesson covers simultaneously recorded neurons in non-human primates coordinate their spiking activity in a sequential manner that mirrors the dominant wave propagation directions of the local field potentials.

This talk covers statistical analysis of spike train data, the modeling approach GLM, and the problem of assessing neural synchrony.