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Department of Psychological Sciences

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Email
Lab Website
(615) 343-7900
507 Wilson Hall

Research Area

Education

B.S., Carnegie Mellon, 1987
Ph.D., Indiana University, 1995

Curriculum Vitae

Advising

Thomas Palmeri

Associate Professor of Psychology
Co-Director of Scientific Computing

Our laboratory studies how people visually categorize, identify, and recognize objects. We examine how objects are processed and represented by the visual system, how visual knowledge about objects is represented and learned, and how perceptual decisions about objects are made. We are particularly interested in the temporal dynamics of visual object recognition. That includes the short-term dynamics of an individual decision about an object’s category or identity and the long-term dynamics of how those decisions change with learning and perceptual expertise. We approaches these questions using a combination of behavioral experiments, cognitive neuroscience techniques, and computational and neural modeling.

Lab Website

Representative Publications

see http://catlab.psy.vanderbilt.edu/publications for links to PDF files

  • Ross, D.A., Deroche, M., & Palmeri, T.J. (in press). Not just the norm: Exemplar-based models also predict face aftereffects. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review. 
  • Palmeri, T.J., Schall, J.D. & Logan, G.D. (2013). Neurocognitive modelling of perceptual decision making. To appear in J.R. Busemeyer, J. Townsend, Z.J. Wang, & A. Eidels (Eds.), Mathematical and Computational Models of Cognition, Oxford University Press. 
  • Nosofsky, R.M., & Palmeri, T.J. (2013). Exemplar-based random walk model. To appear in J.R. Busemeyer, J. Townsend, Z.J. Wang, & A. Eidels (Eds.), Mathematical and Computational Models of Cognition, Oxford University Press. 
  • Richler, J.J., Palmeri, T.J., & Gauthier, I. (2013). How does using object names influence visual recognition memory? Journal of Memory and Language, 68, 10-25. 
  • Folstein, J., Palmeri, T.J., Gauthier, I (2013). Category learning increases discriminability of relevant object dimensions in visual cortex. Cerebral Cortex, 23(4), 814-823. 
  • Richler, J.J., Palmeri, T.J., & Gauthier, I. (2012). Meanings, mechanisms, and measures of holistic processing. Frontiers in Perception Science. 
  • Lewandowsky, S., Palmeri, T.J., & Waldmann, M.R. (2012). Introduction to special section on theory and data in categorization: Integrating computational, behavioral, and cognitive neuroscience approaches. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 38(4), 803-806. 
  • Folstein, J., Gauthier, I., & Palmeri, T.J. (2012). Not all morph spaces stretch alike: How category learning affects object perception. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition. 
  • Purcell, B.A., Schall, J.D., Logan, G.D., & Palmeri, T.J. (2012). From salience to saccades: multiple-alternative gated stochastic accumulator model of visual search. Journal of Neuroscience, 32(10), 3433-3446. 
  • Pouget, P., Logan, G.D., Palmeri, T.J., Boucher, L., & Schall, J.D. (2011). Neural basis of adaptive response time adjustment. The Journal of Neuroscience, 31 (35), 12604-12612. 
  • Richler, J.J., Gauthier, I., & Palmeri, T.J. (2011). Automaticity of basic-level categorization accounts for labeling effects in visual recognition memory. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 37, 1579-1587. 
  • Mack, M.L., & Palmeri, T.J. (2011). The timing of visual object categorization. Frontiers in Perception Science. 
  • Schall, J.D., Purcell, B.A., Heitz, R.P., Logan, G.D., & Palmeri, T.J. (2011). Neural mechanisms of saccade target selection: Gated accumulator model of visual-motor cascade. European Journal of Neuroscience. 
  • Richler, J.J., Mack, M.L., Palmeri, T.J., & Gauthier, I. (2011). Inverted faces are (eventually) processed holistically. Vision Research, 51, 333-342. 
  • Mack, M.L., Richler, J.J., Gauthier, I., & Palmeri, T.J. (2011). Indecision on decisional separability. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 18, 1-9. 
  • Folstein, J., Gauthier, I., & Palmeri, T.J. (2010). Mere exposure alters category learning of novel objects. Frontiers in Cognitive Science. 
  • Purcell, B.A., Heitz, R.P., Cohen, J.Y., Schall, J.D., Logan, G.D., & Palmeri, T.J. (2010). Neurally-constrained modeling of perceptual decision making. Psychological Review, 117, 1113-1143. 
  • Mack, M.L., & Palmeri, T.J. (2010). Decoupling object detection and categorization. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 36, 1067-1079. 
  • Nelson, M.J., Boucher, L., Logan, G.D., Palmeri, T.J., Schall, J.D. (2010). Nonindependent and nonstationary response time in stopping and stepping saccade tasks. Attention, Perception, & Performance, 72, 1913-1929. 
  • Mack, M.L., Richler, J.J., Polyn, S., & Palmeri, T.J. (2010). Modeling effects of object naming on long-term object recognition memory. Visual Cognition, 18, 1526-1529. 
  • Mack, M.L., & Palmeri, T.J. (2010). Modeling categorization of scenes containing consistent versus inconsistent objects. Journal of Vision, 10(3), 1–11. 
  • Gauthier, I., Wong, A.C.-N., Palmeri, T.J. (2010). Manipulating visual experience: Comment on Op de Beeck and Baker. Trends in Cognitive Science, 14, 235-236. 
  • Wong, A.C.-N., Palmeri, T.J., Rogers, B.P., Gore, J.C., & Gauthier, I. (2009). Beyond shape: Experience can determine patterns of category selectivity in the visual system. PLoS One, 4(12), e8405. 
  • Richler, J.J., Mack, M.L., Gauthier, I., & Palmeri, T.J. (2009). Holistic processing of faces at a glance. Vision Research, 49, 2856-2861. 
  • Mack, M.L., Wong, A.C.-N., Gauthier, I., Tanaka, J.W., & Palmeri, T.J. (2009). Time-course of visual object categorization: Fastest does not necessarily mean first. Vision Research, 49, 1961-1968. 
  • Purcell, B.A., Schall, J.D., & Palmeri, T.J. (2009). Discrete versus continuous flow of information: Relating neural activity and the drift diffusion model. Proceedings of the Thirty-First Annual Meeting of the Cognitive Science Society (peer-reviewed proceedings paper), Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 
  • Mack, M.L., & Palmeri, T.J. (2009). Recognizing scenes containing consistent or inconsistent objects. Proceedings of the Thirty-First Annual Meeting of the Cognitive Science Society (peer-reviewed proceedings paper), Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 
  • Wong, A.C.-N., Palmeri, T.J., & Gauthier I. (2009). Conditions for face-like expertise with objects: Becoming a Ziggerin expert – but which type? Psychological Science, 20, 1108-1117. 
  • Mack, M.L., Richler, J.J., Palmeri, T.J., & Gauthier, I. (2009). Categorization. To appear in G.G Berntson & J.T. Cacioppo (Eds.), Handbook of Neuroscience for the Behavioral Sciences, Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons. 
  • Palmeri, T.J., & Cottrell, G. (2009). Modeling perceptual expertise. In I. Gauthier, M. Tarr, & D. Bub (Eds.), Perceptual Expertise: Bridging Brain and Behavior. Oxford University Press. 
  • Cheung, O.S., Richler, J.J., Palmeri, T.J., & Gauthier, I. (2008). Revisiting the role of spatial frequencies in the holistic processing of faces. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 34, 1327-1336. 
  • Mack, M.L., Gauthier, I., Sadr, J., & Palmeri, T.J. (2008). Object detection and basic-level categorization: Sometimes you know it is there before you know what it is. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 15, 28-35. 
  • Richler, J.J., Gauthier, I., Wenger, M., & Palmeri, T.J. (2008). Holistic processing of faces: Perceptual and decisional components. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 34, 328‐342. 
  • Palmeri, T.J., & Tarr, M. (2008). Visual object perception and long-term memory. In S. Luck & A. Hollingworth (Eds., pp. 163-207), Visual Memory. Oxford University Press. 
  • Richler, J.J., Mack, M.L., Gauthier, I., & Palmeri, T.J. (2007). Distinguishing between perceptual and decisional sources of holism in face processing. Proceedings of the Twenty-Ninth Annual Meeting of the Cognitive Science Society (peer-reviewed proceedings paper), Nashville, TN. 
  • Mack, M.L., Wong, A.C.-N., Gauthier, I., Tanaka, J.W., & Palmeri, T.J. (2007). Unraveling the time-course of perceptual categorization: Does fastest mean first? Proceedings of the Twenty-Ninth Annual Meeting of the Cognitive Science Society (peer-reviewed proceedings paper), Nashville, TN. 
  • Camalier, C.R., Gotler, A., Murthy, A., Thompson, K.G., Logan, G.D., Palmeri, T.J., & Schall, J.D. (2007). Dynamics of saccade target selection: Race model analysis of double step and search step saccade production in human and macaque. Vision Research, 47, 2187-2211. 
  • Boucher, L., Palmeri, T.J., Logan, G.D., & Schall, J.D. (2007). Inhibitory control in mind and brain: An interactive race model of countermanding saccades. Psychological Review, 114, 376-397. 
  • Boucher, L., Stuphorn, V., Logan, G.D., Schall, J.D., & Palmeri, T.J. (2007). Stopping eye and hand movements: Are the processes independent? Perception & Psychophysics, 69, 785-801. 
  • Luhmann, C., Ahn, W.-K., & Palmeri, T.J. (2006). Theory-based categorization under speeded conditions. Memory & Cognition, 34, 1102-1111. 
  • Kim, C.-Y., Blake, R., & Palmeri, T.J. (2005). Perceptual interaction between real and synesthetic colors. Cortex. 
  • Palmeri, T.J., Wong, A.C.-N., & Gauthier, I. (2004). Computational approaches to the development of perceptual expertise. Trends in Cognitive Science, 8, 378-386. 
  • Palmeri, T.J., & Gauthier, I. (2004). Visual object understanding. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 5, 291-303. 
  • Blake, R.B., Palmeri, T.J., Marois, R., & Kim, C.-Y. (2003). On the perceptual reality of synesthetic color. In L. Robertson & N. Sagiv (Eds.), Attention on Synesthesia: Cognition, Development, and Neurobiology. 
  • Johansen, M.K., & Palmeri, T.J. (2002). Are there representational shifts during category learning? Cognitive Psychology, 45, 482-553. 
  • Viken, R.J., Treat, T.A., Nosofsky, R.M., McFall, R.M., & Palmeri, T.J. (2002). Modeling individual differences in perceptual and attentional processes related to bulimic symptoms. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 111, 598-609. 
  • Palmeri, T.J., & Noelle, D. (2002). Concept learning. In M.A. Arbib (Ed.), The Handbook of Brain Theory and Neural Networks, MIT Press. 
  • Palmeri, T.J. (2002). Automaticity. In L. Nadel et al. (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Cognitive Science (pp. 390-401), Nature Publishing Group, London. 
  • Luhmann, C.C., Ahn, W.-K., & Palmeri, T.J. (2002). Theories and similarity: Categorization under speeded conditions. Proceedings of the Twenty-Fourth Annual Meeting of the Cognitive Science Society (peer-reviewed proceedings paper), Chicago, IL. 
  • Palmeri, T.J., Blake, R.B., & Marois, R. (2002). What is synesthesia? Scientific American On-Line. 
  • Palmeri, T.J., & Flanery, M.A. (2002). Memory systems and perceptual categorization. In B.H. Ross (Ed.), The Psychology of Learning and Motivation (Volume 41), Academic Press. 
  • Gauthier, I., & Palmeri, T.J. (2002). Visual neurons: Categorization-based selectivity. Current Biology, 12, R282-R284. 
  • Palmeri, T.J., Blake, R.B., Marois, R., Flanery, M.A., & Whetsell, W.O. (2002). The perceptual reality of synesthetic color. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 99, 4127-4131. 
  • Flanery, M.A., Palmeri, T.J., & Schaper, B.L. (2001). Investigating dissociations between perceptual categorization and explicit memory. Proceedings of the Twenty-Third Annual Meeting of the Cognitive Science Society (peer-reviewed proceedings paper), Boston, MA. 
  • Palmeri, T.J. (2001). The time course of perceptual categorization. In M. Ramscar & U. Hahn (Eds.), Similarity and Categorization (pp. 193-224), Oxford University Press. 
  • Palmeri, T.J., & Flanery, M.A. (2001). Prototype abstraction in category learning? Proceedings of the Twenty-Third Annual Meeting of the Cognitive Science Society (peer-reviewed proceedings paper), Boston, MA. 
  • Palmeri, T.J., & Nosofsky, R.M. (2001). Central tendencies, extreme points, and prototype enhancement effects in ill-defined perceptual categorization. The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 54, 197-235. 
  • Palmeri, T.J., & Blalock, C. (2000). The role of background knowledge in speeded perceptual categorization. Cognition, 77, B45-B57. 
  • Palmeri, T.J. (1999). Learning hierarchically structured categories: A comparison of category learning models. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 6, 495-503. 
  • Palmeri, T.J. (1999). Theories of automaticity and the power law of practice. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 25, 543–551. 
  • Palmeri, T.J., & Flanery, M.A. (1999). Learning about categories in the absence of training: Profound amnesia and the relationship between perceptual categorization and recognition memory. Psychological Science, 10, 526-530. 
  • Palmeri, T.J., & Flanery, M.A. (1999). Investigating the relationship between perceptual categorization and recognition memory through induced profound amnesia. Proceedings of the Twenty-First Annual Meeting of the Cognitive Science Society (peer-reviewed proceedings paper), Edinburgh, Scotland. 
  • Nosofsky, R.M., & Palmeri, T.J. (1998). A rule-plus-exception model for classifying objects in continuous-dimension spaces. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 5, 345-369. 
  • Palmeri, T.J. (1998). Formal models and feature creation. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 21, 33-34. 
  • Nosofsky, R.M., & Palmeri, T.J. (1997). An exemplar-based random walk model of speeded classification. Psychological Review, 104, 266-300. 
  • Nosofsky, R.M., & Palmeri, T.J. (1997). Comparing exemplar-retrieval and decision-bound models of speeded perceptual classification. Perception & Psychophysics, 59, 1027-1048. 
  • Palmeri, T.J. (1997). Exemplar similarity and the development of automaticity. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 23, 324-354. 
  • Palmeri, T.J. (1997). An exemplar-based random walk model of perceptual categorization. In M. Ramscar, U. Hahn, E. Cambouropolos, & H. Pain (Eds.), Proceedings of the Interdisciplinary Workshop On Similarity And Categorisation (pp. 181-187), Edinburgh, Scotland: University of Edinburgh. 
  • Nosofsky, R.M., & Palmeri, T.J. (1996). Learning to classify integral-dimension stimuli. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 3, 222-226. 
  • Palmeri, T.J., & Nosofsky, R.M. (1995). Recognition memory for exceptions to the category rule. Journal of Experiment Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 21, 548-568. 
  • Nosofsky, R.M., Palmeri, T.J., & McKinley, S.C. (1994). Rule-plus-exception model of classification learning. Psychological Review, 101, 53-79. 
  • Nosofsky, R.M., Gluck, M., Palmeri, T.J., McKinley, S.C., & Glauthier, P. (1994). Comparing models of rule-based classification learning: A replication and extension of Shepard, Hovland, and Jenkins (1961). Memory & Cognition, 22, 352-369. 
  • Palmeri, T.J., & Nosofsky, R.M. (1993). Generalizations by rule models and exemplar models of category learning. Proceedings of the Fifteenth Annual Meeting of the Cognitive Science Society (peer-reviewed proceedings paper), Boulder, CO. 
  • Palmeri, T.J., Goldinger, S.D., & Pisoni, D.B. (1993). Episodic encoding of voice attributes and recognition memory for spoken words. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 19, 309-328. 
  • Goldinger, S.D., Palmeri, T.J., & Pisoni, D.B. (1992). Words and voices: Perceptual details are preserved in lexical representations. In J. Ohala, T. Neary, B. Derwing, M. Hodge, & G. Wiebe (Eds.), Proceedings of the International Conference on Spoken Language Processing (pp. 591-594), Banff, Alberta, Canada: University of Alberta Press. 

Honors

  • The Chancellor's Award for Research, 2009
  • APA Division of Experimental Psychology New Investigator Award, 1998
  • Irving J. Saltzman Award for Outstanding
  • Graduate Achievement, Indiana University, 1996
  • J.R. Kantor Fellow Graduate Award, Indiana University, 1995
  • Indiana University Cognitive Science Fellowship, 1990
  • B.S. with University Honors, Carnegie Mellon University, 1987
  • Senior University Scholar, Carnegie Mellon University, 1987
  • Wayne Rawley Merit Scholarship (2 years), Carnegie Mellon University, 1985
  • Carnegie Institute of Technology College Scholar, Carnegie Mellon University, 1984
  • University President's Award for Top 100 Student, Carnegie Mellon University, 1984
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5/22/2013 at 4:10 pm
Neuroscience Graduate Seminar Series

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Randy Buckner, Ph.D.
Harvard University
Cognitive Neuroscience Lab

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