Cognitive Psychology

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 Carlos R. Salas
  Graduate Student
 
  Department of Psychology 
  University of Illinois at Chicago 
  1007 W Harrison St (MC 285) 
  Chicago IL 60607
  Office: BSB 1015
 

   E-Mail: salas5@uic.edu 
 

  Education:         
  • Currently pursuing PhD in Cognitive Psychology at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
  • B.A., Psychology, California State University, Long Beach 2009   

  Research Interests:

I am broadly interested in studying the cognitive, dispositional, and contextual factors that influence learning in science. More specifically, I am interested in examining the effects of epistemic rationality on belief formation and knowledge coherence in various scientific domains. A second area of interest investigates the self-regulatory role that metacognition plays in learning, reasoning, and problem solving. A few questions that motivate my current research projects include: 
  1. What factors contribute to successful understanding of the complex relationships found within scientific theories?
  2. What are the relationships between these factors, and how are they manifested in the learning process (e.g., variability in reading effort, use of critical thinking strategies, search for evidence, etc.)?
  3. In what manner does an individual’s metacognitive competence shape the nature of knowledge acquisition and problem solving in a given domain?
I approach these questions by using various methodologies and perspectives. Among these include the use of text manipulations, recall and verification tasks, as well as the measurement of response latencies, eyetracking patterns, and physiological reactions. By adopting an individual differences perspective, I seek to explain how variations in cognitive capacity, intellectual dispositions, and domain knowledge influence further learning.

  Fellowships:

2009-2012                 Abraham Lincoln Graduate Fellowship
                                  $40,000 stipend and full tuition remission.

2008-2009                Sally Casanova Pre-Doctoral Fellowship
                                  $3,000 Research Grant; $10,000 Summer
                                  Research Internship Funds.

2007-2009                The National Institute of Mental                                                      Health-Career and Opportunities in                                                  Research (NIHM-COR) Fellowship                                                  $20,000 stipend and full tuition remission.

  Academic Honors and Awards:

          2009                       Received Lucia Morales Award for Excellence in
                              Research and Academics.

     
2008                      Accepted into the Summer Research Opportunities
                              Program (SROP) 2008 at the University of Illinois at
                                        Chicago ($3,500)

2008                       Erica Wohldmann Poster Presentation Award ($500)

2008                       Western Psychological Association Regional Psi Chi
                               Research Poster Award ($500)

2007-2009              Received National Hispanic Fund Scholarship ($2,000)

2005                       Psi Beta Chapter Travel Award to the American
                               Pychological Association  Convention in Washington D.C.
                               ($1,600)

  Conference Presentations:

        Salas, C., & Griffin, T. (2009, July). Belief Basis Effects on text comprehension:     superior cognitive framework coherence or increased effortful reading             processes? Poster presented at the University of Illinois at Chicago SROP     Research Symposium.

        Salas, C., Minakata, K., & Kelemen, W.L. (2009, May). Walking Improves         Word Recall but does not influence Metamemory accuracy. Poster                 presented at the Association for Psychological Science in San Francisco,         CA.

        Salas, C., & Griffin, T. (2008, August). Understanding the Theory of Evolution:
    How Prior Beliefs, Belief Basis, Rationality, and Reading Behavior affect         one’s Comprehension. Paper presented at the University of Illinois at             Chicago SROP Research Symposium.

        Salas, C. (2008,April). The Effects of Personality and Exercise on                         Metacognitive Accuracy. Poster presented at the Psych Day Poster Fair at     California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, CA.

        Fulton, E.K., Salas, C., White, K.R., & Kelemen W.L. (2008, April). Nicotine     Withdrawal Impairs Memory, Confidence, and Metacognitive Accuracy.         Poster presented at the 88th Western Psychological Association Annual         Conference in Irvine, CA.

        Roberson, Richard & Salas, Carlos (2007, November). Ethnic Identity and                         Psychological Distress as Moderated by Ethnic Group Status. Poster
                presented at the National COR Colloquium in Albuquerque, NM

        Salas, C., Ojeda, D., Luna, A., Villapudua, A. (2006, March). Memory,                         conformity, and gender stereotypes. Paper presented at the Honors                             Transfer Council of California Conference hosted at the University of                         California Irvine, Irvine, CA. Poster presented at the 86th Western
                Psychological Association Annual Conference, Palm Springs, CA.

  Publications:

         Salas, C., Minakata, K., Kelemen, W.L. (under review).Walking Before Study
       Can Improve Memory and Absolute Metamemory Accuracy in 
       College  Students.  Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology.

  Academic Links:

   Full Curriculum Vita
    
  Lab and Project Links:
  
   Wiley Eyetracking Laboratory
   Metacomprehension Projects
   Griffin Faculty Page
   Wiley Faculty Page
  
  Society Links:
    Cognitive Science Society
    Psychonomic Society
    Association for Psychological Science
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