Dr James Macdonald

My research aims to relate human EEG activity to both low-level sensory and high-level cognitive functions. In particular, I am interested in the ability of the human brain to manage the influx of external sensory information, and generate internal experiences in the absence of corresponding external sensory input, for example, memories, thoughts, and mental imagery. I am interested in the neural mechanisms underlying these two systems, and how they compliment and conflict with one another: how thought shapes or inhibits perception, and vice versa. I am also interested in the ways in which high-level goals and plans can influence perception and thought, and how these systems are managed appropriately in order to achieve such goals. In contrast, I also seek to uncover the influence of brain state and neural architecture on these systems. For example, do different patterns of neural activity within individuals, or differences in neural function between individuals, lead to differences in perceptual and cognitive function, or the effectiveness or manner in which these systems are managed?

Areas of Research

Conscious awareness and perception, particularly in vision, and their relationship with attention; neural correlates of consciousness; neural mechanisms of attention and cognitive control (e.g., inhibition); the role of oscillations (e.g., the alpha rhythm) in perception and cognition; computational modelling of EEG; perceptual decision making; paradigms such as inattentional blindness, change blindness, and response competition; the nature of 'the mind's eye', e.g., visual mental imagery, dreaming, visual short-term or working memory.

Publications

VanRullen, R. & Macdonald, J. S. P. (2012). Perceptual echoes at 10 Hz in the human brain. Current Biology, 22, 995-999. Click here for article .

Macdonald, J. S. P., Mathan, S., & Yeung, N. (2011). Trial-by-trial variations in subjective attentional state are reflected in ongoing prestimulus EEG alpha oscillations. Frontiers In Psychology, 2 (82). Click here for full article (Open Access).

Macdonald, J. S. P., & Lavie, N. (2011). Visual perceptual load induces inattentional deafness. Attention, Perception & Psychophysics, 73, 1780-1789. Click here for full article (Open Access) or click here for pdf.

Macdonald, J. S. P., & Lavie, N. (2008). Load induced blindness. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 34, 1078-1091. Click here for article.

Teaching

PS51006A Biological and Comparative Approaches to Psychology

PS51008B Design and Analysis of Psychological Investigations

PS51014A Career Development and Employability in Psychology

PS53012A Research Project

Selected publications