Department of Psychology: Ralf Greenwald

Dr. Ralf Greenwald Assistant Professor Ph.D. Cognition and Neuroscience, University of Texas at Dallas, 2002 Office number: 428 Office phone number: 509-963-3630 Email: greenwar@cwu.edu

About me:

My research interests mainly deal with brain dynamics and the cognitive electrophysiology of the brain, specifically utilizing brain event-related potentials (ERPs) to study auditory, executive functions and language processing. My research has shown that there are slight differences in processing dichotic speech stimuli in young adults; and I have extended this work to investigate effects of age-related hemispheric differences in the neural processing of dichotic information and linguistic processing.

Out of that body of research emerged one of my current research interests dealing with the role of selective attention, hemispheric asymmetry, and its role in processing cognitive information. Our findings support the notion that ERP topographic asymmetries may be dependent on specific cognitive task demands (e.g., diotic vs. dichotic modes of presentation). In addition, data suggested that later occurring ERP components may better reflect interaural advantages for complex tones than earlier components, and may, therefore, be a more sensitive indicator of hemispheric specialization.

One of my new areas of interest is critical thinking and brain processing. We want to investigate how teaching techniques that foster critical thinking may alter brain electrophysiology. This project is in conjunction with the Department of Biology and Science Education.

I am also currently an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Texas at Dallas

Courses Typically Taught at CWU:

• Cognitive Psychology
• Physiological Psychology
• Human Neuroanatomy
• Psychology of Langue

Research Interests:

Attention, Critical Thinking, Cognition, Auditory Processing, Brain Dynamics, and Neural Source Modeling

Recent Publications and Presentations:

Corina, D., High, J., Chiu, Y., Knapp, H., Greenwald, R., Braun, A., San Jose, L. (2007). Neural Correlates of Human Action Observation in Hearing and Deaf Subjects. Brain Research, 4, 111-129.

Greenwald, L., Siegel, M., Greenwald, R., (2006). Kindering Center: A Comprehensive Early Intervention Program Model. Infants & Young Children, 19(3), 190-202.

Greenwald, R. R. and J. F. Jerger. (2003). Neuroelectric Correlates of Hemispheric Asymmetry: Spectral Discrimination and Stimulus Competition. Journal of the American Academy of Audiology, 14(8), 434-443.

Greenwald, R. R. and J. F. Jerger. (2001). Aging Affects Hemispheric Asymmetry on a Competing Speech Task. Journal of the American Academy of Audiology, 12(4), 167-173.