Welcome to the Animal Learning and Behavior Laboratory. In Portugal, our lab has pioneered the investigation of Animal Cognition, including the senses of Time, Number, and Space. In our research, we often compare the performances of animals (pigeons, mostly, but also hamsters, and dogs) with humans (children and adults) in carefully controlled laboratory situations or in semi-naturalistic settings.
Specific research topics that excite us include the discrimination of time intervals, number of events, or spatial location of stimuli; the perception of complex relations among events such as causality (what leads to what); and individual and group decision making and choice (Am I more likely to win than to lose? What should I do? What should we do?).
Our most developed research area is Timing. In order to survive, many organisms need to learn to regulate their behavior in time. For example, a bird may travel between patches while foraging for food. It enters a patch, stays for a period of time exploiting it, and then leaves to another patch. In the absence of a sensory apparatus dedicated to the perception of time, how does it discriminate its residence time in the patch? What processes or mechanisms underlie the discrimination? What factors affect it? (e.g., Does subjective time fly while running?) Which models best describe it? These are some of the broad questions that inspire our research on Timing. A similar set of questions guide our research of other topics.
Be our guest. Visit our website and become acquainted with the research team, the facilities, specific research projects, and publications. Enjoy!