Research Topics
Welcome to the website of the Neurocognition of Emotion and Motivation (NEM) Lab at the
Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri - St. Louis, directed by Dr. Sandra Langeslag. We study the interaction between cognition and emotion. While some of our studies are about emotions in general, most of our studies concern romantic love.
Specifically, we study the neurocognition of romantic love, using event-related potentials (ERP), cognitive tasks, and self-report measures. This research is extremely relevant and important because virtually everyone falls in love at least once and falling in love has major impact on people's lives.
We study real-life love, parasocial love (i.e., romantic feelings for media figures, such as celebrities and fictional characters), and love for artificial intelligence (AI) companions.
Our research on romantic love spans four research lines:
- Romantic love improves cognition: People have more attention and better memory for their beloved.
- Romantic love impairs cognition: Love distracts people from doing other tasks.
- Love regulation: Even though people think that love is uncontrollable, it is possible to increase and decrease their love feelings by using strategies such as cognitive reappraisal, distraction, and fantasizing.
- Love and addiction: People who are in love seem addicted to their beloved, but what are the differences and similarities between love and addiction?
Contact
Sandra J.E. Langeslag, Ph.D.
Department of Psychological Sciences
University of Missouri - St. Louis
417 Stadler Hall
One University Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63121-4499
USA
Email: langeslags@umsl.edu
Phone: +1-314-516-5395
Facebook: NEM Lab at UMSL
