Research

The department’s research work falls into three lines:

I. Social cognition, emotion, and social ability

The research focuses on perception of socially relevant information and the neural bases of social information processing. More specifically, we investigate the perception of human faces and the effects of facial information on perceiver's attention and emotion. We are interested in these phenomena in typically developing individuals but also in individuals with neurobiological and mental disorders (e.g., autism spectrum disorders and depression). We investigate babies, children, and adults. Most of our research is basic research, but we also aim to develop methods for diagnostic and intervention purposes. This type of applied research is especially focused on the diagnosis and rehabilitation of the social handicaps and difficulties encountered in different neurodevelopmental disorders.

More information:
HIP-laboratory
Psychology Clinic Psyke

II. Work, environment, and well-being

The research has a focus on the questions related to individual well-being in both work environment and more broadly in physical and social environment. In the area of work and organizational psychology we approach well-being in working life from the frameworks of stress, burnout and recovery. In addition, we investigate job insecurity and temporary work as well as leadership behavior from the viewpoint of psychological well-being and health. In the area of environmental psychology we analyze the relationships between urban and natural environments and human well-being, emotional and cognitive processes. We also investigate self-regulation and experienced health in favorite, unpleasant and restorative environments.

More information:
http://www.aka.fi/Tiedostot/Tiedostot/VALTA/Hankekuvaus_Kinnunen4.pdf
http://www.uta.fi/laitokset/psyk/tutkimus/projektit/resulead/index.html
http://www.favoriteplace.info/Engl.htm

III. Mental health, clinical neuropsychology, and interventions

Our research in mental health focuses on preconditions for well-being, and healthy emotional development. It covers domains of developmental psychology, and basic processes concerning mental health. The aim of our research is to identify factors and processes underlying optimal psychosocial functioning, development and recovery from mental illness (depression, anxiety disorders) and psychological trauma. The research further focuses on child development in risky and dangerous environments (trauma, violence, drug addiction). We develop theory- and evidence- based interventions for adolescents, adults, children and early infant-parent -dyads.

The clinical neuropsychological research conducted in Psychology Clinic Psyke concentrates on neurocognitive disorders of adults (stroke and brain injury), adolescents and children (ADHD, epilepsy, autism). Sleep disorders is the focus of research both among children and adults. We are also interested in developing assessment and intervention methods. Group rehabilitation of ADHD- and autism spectrum children is the focus of intervention studies in child neuropsychology. In adult neuropsychological interventions we are interested in recovery and individual rehabilitation of stroke and brain injury patients.

More information:
http://www.raija-punamaki.net/
Psychology Clinic Psyke