Human Performance and Objects Processing Laboratory

Scientific director: Prof. Dr. Antonello Pellicano

The Human Performance and Objects Processing Laboratory of University of Catania was established in 2022 to conduct experimental investigations in the fields of cognitive psychology and cognitive neurosciences. The facility is located in the Department of Educational Sciences, room 10, third floor, Turrisi-Colonna building, and is set up for research and teaching purposes.

Our research focuses on fundamental aspects of cognition and human performance, including action selection and stimulus-response compatibility, as well as the cognitive-motor representations of tool-objects. Specifically, we aim to identify a clear dividing line between affordance activation and location coding, which have been identified as two distinct mechanisms in object processing.

Further research interests include Mirror Neuron System (MNS), fronto-striatal plasticity and connectivity.

Research activities are conducted in continuity with the CCS Behavioral Laboratory at RWTH Aachen University https://www.ccs.rwth-aachen.de/index.php/en/research/behavioural-laboratory, previously directed by Prof. Pellicano.

The facility can be light-attenuated and is equipped with high-performance PCs, LCD monitors, and loudspeakers with E-Prime Professional v2.0 and v3.0 software for experiment design, stimulus presentation (visual and auditory), response timing with millisecond temporal precision, and data collection (http://www.pstnet.com).

Hardware and software are interfaced with a PST serial response-box for button press and voice key response collection, as well as with custom button boxes and foot pedals. Other equipment is: occlusion spectacles and a virtual/mixed reality headset interfaced with the PCs for tachistoscopic presentation of real and virtual objects, respectively.