Labs

Departmental Research Facilities

• Psychophysiology and EEG Labs

  

   Psychophysiological Lab

  This Lab supports experimental studies of cognitive function using EEG and other psychophysiological parameters.

  Technical Equipment:

  • 64-channel Neuroscan Synamps DC amplifier system (EEG)
  • eleoctrooculogram (EOG)
  • skin conductance responses (SCR)

  Room: 101-102, Am Steiger 3/1
  Principal investigators: Dr. Jürgen Kaufmann / Prof. Dr. Stefan R. Schweinberger
  Technical assistance: Bettina Kamchen

  High-resolution EEG Lab 1

  This Lab is designated to study neural correlates of cognitive function, as well as their brain sources using high-resolution EEG.

  Technical Equipment:

  • 152-channel BioSemi ActiveTwo DC amplifier system (EEG)

  Room: K008- K010, Am Steiger 3/1
  Principal investigators: Prof. Dr. Stefan R. Schweinberger / Dr. Jürgen M. Kaufmann
  Technical assistance: Kathrin Rauscher

  High-resolution EEG Lab 2

  Our newest EEG Lab is designated to study neural correlates of cognitive function, as well as their brain sources, using high-resolution EEG.

  Technical Equipment:

  • electrically shelded, sound-attenuated cabin
  • 64-channel BioSemi ActiveTwo recording system (DC, 512 Hz)
  • active electrodes (sintered Ag-AgCl)
  • no skin preparation necessary

  Room: 18S03, Jentower, Leutragraben 1
  Principal investigators: Prof. Dr. Gyula Kovács / Prof. Dr. Stefan R. Schweinberger
  Technical assistance: Bettina Kamchen

• Neurofeedback Lab

  

  The Neurofeedback Lab allows to study effects of neurofeedback training (based on operant conditioning of EEG signals) which provides an alternative treatment option for various neurobiological dysfunctions. While well-known examples include ADHD and learning difficulties, neurofeedback is currently being tested as a promising approach for individuals with autism spectrum disorders.

  Technical Equipment:

  • 22-channel NeuroConn Theraprax Q-EEG DC-System
  • 4-channel Biofeedback Option including Skin Conductance Measurement

  Room: 18S07, Jentower, Leutragraben 1
  Principal investigators: Prof. Dr. Stefan R. Schweinberger / Dr. Samaneh S. Dastgheib
  Technical assistance: Bettina Kamchen / Kathrin Rauscher
  Alumna: Dr. Stella J. Wuttke

• 3D-Camera Lab

  

  This Lab is designated to capture three-dimensional photographs of faces.

  Technical Equipment:

  • DI3D™ – 3D Capture Systems
  • Standard Systems: 10MP – 21MP+
  • Custom Systems: Muliple Pods
  • Extremely High Resolution Textures
  • Instantaneous Capture

  Room: 106, Am Steiger 3/1
  Principal investigator: Dr. Jürgen Kaufmann

• Audio-Visual Lab

  

  This Lab is designated to record hiqh-quality voice recordings and capture simultaneously video material of the speaker

  Technical Equipment:

  • sound-attenuated room
  • Zoom H4n audio interface
  • Beyerdynamic MC-930 condenser microphone with pop-protector
  • Sony Video Camera
  • 3 point lighting system

  Room: 113, Am Steiger 3/1
  Principal investigator: Dr. Romi Zäske, Dr. Verena G. Skuk

• Eye-Tracking Lab

  

  Our eyetracking lab allows us to measure participants’ fixation patterns and pupil dilation while they look at and respond to materials such as images, spoken words and sentences, videos, or written text.

  Technical Equipment:

  • monocular iViewX Hi-Speed 1250 eyetracker (SMI)
  • video-based dark-pupil and corneal reflection tracking
  • head-stabilisation through integrated chin rest
  • sampling rate 1250 Hz/ 500 Hz
  • high spatial (< 0.5°) and temporal accuracy
  • stimulus presentation using E-Prime 2.0 (PST) on Windows XP

  Room: 18S02, JenTower, Leutragraben 1
  Principal investigator: Dr. Helene Kreysa

• Virtual Reality Lab

  

  Virtual reality (VR) technology is increasingly used to study human social interaction, as well as human-machine or human-robot interaction. This Lab still requires designated lab space and we are currently seeking a solution, but the basic equipment is already being used in VR experiments. In those, we can display experimental stimuli in VR, and record both behavioral and physiological responses. Designated VR labspace and state-of-the-art equipment for more extensive experiments will hopefully become available in the near future. When the institute moves to a new building (planned for late 2024), there is designated space for a large Virtual Reality lab that will be used by multiple groups. Our aim is to ensure that psychological science in Jena has access to current methods to assess behavior in complex, dynamic, and realistic social situations, with a maximum of experimental control.

  Room: K008- K010, Am Steiger 3/1
  Principal investigator: Prof. Dr. Stefan R. Schweinberger
  Technical support: Kathrin Rauscher

  Alumnus: Paul Winkler, M.Sc.

• DogStudies

  

  At the DogStudies Lab, we investigate the cognitive abilities of domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) to gain insight into the evolution of cognition and the process of domestication. We are interested in the communication and cooperation abilities of dogs, as well as the link between smell perception and cognition. We also study the relationship between dogs and humans, as well as how dogs are kept, used, and perceived in different cultures around the world. Our research with dogs involves only observing their behaviour and is never invasive. We set the dogs various tasks and observe how they interact with their environment, with other dogs, and with humans.
  These studies are conducted either in one of our three testing rooms or outside in a fenced lawn area. All studies are video recorded and then the recordings are coded. As our methods and study aims vary greatly, so does our test equipment, which is adapted to fit ongoing projects. For example, we use various barriers made from different materials, as well as fences, tables and cups. We use treats or toys as rewards for the dogs.

  Learn more on their website here

  Room: E015- E020 at Humboldtstraße 11, 07743 
  Principal investigator: Dr. habil. Juliane Bräuer