Joseph Orr

Dr. Orr directs the Cognitive Neuroscience of Goals and Actions Laboratory (CONGAlab). Research in the CONGAlab examines the psychological and neural mechanisms underlying executive functions. Specifically, we are interested in the mechanisms that enable us to flexibly adapt to changes in the environment or changes in our internal goals. These mechanisms enable us to multitask or switch quickly from one task to another. Work from the lab has demonstrated that while people tend to avoid switching tasks when given the choice, they are more efficient at switching when the choice is driven by internal goals rather than external cues. We are investigating the factors that maximize these abilities-such as reward, as well as factors that interfere with these abilities-such as fatigue. Work in the lab involves behavioral approaches, computational modeling, non-invasive brain stimulation, pupillometry, and neuroimaging (MRI, EEG/ERP). Dr. Orr's work is currently funded by the National Science Foundation. Recent Grants NSF 1928695, "Augmenting Spatial Cognition Capabilities of Future Workforce for Enhanced Human Performance in Altered Gravitational Environments Using Virtual Reality Technologies." Affiliated Research Cluster Neuroscience & Affective Science. Voluntary task selection behavior; prefrontal cortex; neuroimaging; addiction and psychosis in humans.