John Jonides, Ph.D.

Resolving interference in perception, memory, and action: A case study of imaged cognition

In the past 14 years, there has been an explosion of research using fMRI as a measurement technique. In this talk, I review the uses to which fMRI has been put and conclude that these fall into five classes of studies: Ones concerned with localization, documentation of dissociations, documentation of assocations, measurement of individual differences, and testing of psychological models. I review examples of studies of each type to make clear how fMRI can lead to the development both of increased knowledge of brain-behavioral correlations and of psychological theory. I also include relevant results from studies of interference-resolution at various stages of processing as a case study of the use of fMRI to further psychological theory.