CARS – Cognitive and Affective Research Studies

CARS group’s research activity focuses on:

  • the cognitive and neurocognitive correlates of creative processes;
  • the relationship between emotion and cognition (with particular reference to decision-making processes);
  • learning processes (functional and dysfunctional) in various contexts;
  • the cognitive bases of communication, negotiation and deception;
  • the neuro-cognitive correlates of maladaptive behaviors, with particular reference; to additive behaviors and conflict management. 

The neuro-cognitive approach of the research group represents the conceptual and methodological background on which interdisciplinary research lines are developed, addressed both to basic research (e.g., the analysis of neurophysiological correlates of conflicting decisions), and to applied research (e.g. the development and testing of creative trainings). The methodologies used include the classic behavioral and cognitive methodologies (neuropsychological batteries; response times; analysis of mimicry and communicative gestures), the analysis of correlated EEGs, analysis of localized cortical activations using fNIRS, bio- and neuro-feedback, cortical stimulation studies (tDCS) and psychometric analysis.

Other collaborators include: Giovanni Molinari: Trainee (Department of Philosophy, UNIMI); Isabella Nardon (external collaborator); Paola Maria Sala (external collaborator) and Francesca Meroni (external collaborator).

Read about our current projects: THE NEURO-COGNITIVE CORRELATES OF CREATIVITY

Claudio Lucchiari is an Assistant Professor in Cognitive Psychology. His research activities focus on neuro-cognitive and psycho-physiological aspects of creativity, with a focus on the neuro-cognitive methods aimed at empowering divergent thinking. He also focuses on negotiation, communication and decision making in different domains.  He is developing a line of research regarding aimed to develop innovative tools, for both educational and professional contexts, to help people change unhealthy behaviors and empowering cognitive abilities. 

Expertise: creativity, decision making, negotiation, neuro-cognitive methods, health psychology, communication.

Contact: claudio.lucchiari@unimi.it

Maria Elide Vanutelli is a Post-Doc Research Fellow working on a project aimed at developing innovative methods and techniques to enhance learning processes. Her main research interests are the affective, cognitive, and social processes related to interpersonal coordination, as well as the ways to enhance it, such as cooperation and creativity. 

Expertise: joint-actions, hyperscanning research, emotions and empathy, cooperation and competition, creativity, fNIRS, EEG, neurofeedback.

Contact: maria.vanutelli@unimi.it