Our Integrative Program of Research and Training
“One cannot explain a psychology with a physiology until one has a psychology to explain”
— Edward C. Tolman (1932)
While it is important to identify and describe the functional relationships among the structures, circuits, and pathways that comprise the brain and nervous system, a complete understanding of behavior and its disorders will also require detailed knowledge of the psychological processes that the brain and nervous system have evolved to perform. To achieve this level of understanding, the Center for Behavioral Neuroscience promotes research by, and communication among, scientists who work at many different levels of analysis. In this way, knowledge obtained by scientists who study psychological processes (e.g., cognitive, emotional, associative, perceptual) that underlie behavior can be used to guide the work of researchers who study the biological mechanisms (e.g., molecular, neuroanatomical, hormonal, physiological) that underlie those processes.
By developing and promoting the research capabilities of American University, the Center for Behavioral Neuroscience supports the training goals of faculty and students in a number of graduate programs. These programs include behavior, cognition, and neuroscience (BCaN), biology, chemistry, and clinical psychology. Faculty and graduate student members of the center from each of these disciplines participate in a wide range of projects aimed at understanding the interrelationships between the brain and behavior. In addition, while not a degree-granting entity, the Center for Behavioral Neuroscience sponsors activities such as special courses, symposia, and off-campus training opportunities that enhance the educational experience for students at American University.
A Hub of Research Excellence
Nationally and internationally, behavioral neuroscientists are tackling the most complex problems related to both normal and abnormal behavior. As part of this community, the faculty members of the Center for Behavioral Neuroscience strive to achieve the highest standards for research on the processes and substrates that underlie normal behavior and on the pathologies that lead to behavioral dysfunction. There is little doubt about the importance of this work. Disorders of the brain and behavior, including obesity, depression, addiction and cognitive dementia, are currently among the most costly, pernicious, and widespread threats to human health and quality of life. To address these and other important problems, the members of the Center for Behavioral Neuroscience have joined together to form a hub of research excellence that encompasses four broad and interrelated research themes. Consistent with a multi-disciplinary perspective, many of the center’s members have research programs that span more than one of these areas.
See more about our research.
“One cannot explain a psychology with a physiology until one has a psychology to explain”
— Edward C. Tolman (1932)
While it is important to identify and describe the functional relationships among the structures, circuits, and pathways that comprise the brain and nervous system, a complete understanding of behavior and its disorders will also require detailed knowledge of the psychological processes that the brain and nervous system have evolved to perform. To achieve this level of understanding, the Center for Behavioral Neuroscience promotes research by, and communication among, scientists who work at many different levels of analysis. In this way, knowledge obtained by scientists who study psychological processes (e.g., cognitive, emotional, associative, perceptual) that underlie behavior can be used to guide the work of researchers who study the biological mechanisms (e.g., molecular, neuroanatomical, hormonal, physiological) that underlie those processes.
By developing and promoting the research capabilities of American University, the Center for Behavioral Neuroscience supports the training goals of faculty and students in a number of graduate programs. These programs include behavior, cognition, and neuroscience (BCaN), biology, chemistry, and clinical psychology. Faculty and graduate student members of the center from each of these disciplines participate in a wide range of projects aimed at understanding the interrelationships between the brain and behavior. In addition, while not a degree-granting entity, the Center for Behavioral Neuroscience sponsors activities such as special courses, symposia, and off-campus training opportunities that enhance the educational experience for students at American University.
A Hub of Research Excellence
Nationally and internationally, behavioral neuroscientists are tackling the most complex problems related to both normal and abnormal behavior. As part of this community, the faculty members of the Center for Behavioral Neuroscience strive to achieve the highest standards for research on the processes and substrates that underlie normal behavior and on the pathologies that lead to behavioral dysfunction. There is little doubt about the importance of this work. Disorders of the brain and behavior, including obesity, depression, addiction and cognitive dementia, are currently among the most costly, pernicious, and widespread threats to human health and quality of life. To address these and other important problems, the members of the Center for Behavioral Neuroscience have joined together to form a hub of research excellence that encompasses four broad and interrelated research themes. Consistent with a multi-disciplinary perspective, many of the center’s members have research programs that span more than one of these areas.
See more about our research.