Applied Cognitive Psychology
The Applied Cognitive Psychology section conducts research within (Louis) "Pasteur's quadrant", meaning application-oriented basic research.
Real problems are identified and their underlying principles are worked out in the laboratory. The knowledge gained can then lead to applied research, which in turn can contribute towards solving the problems. For instance, take the question as to whether overweight and obesity can be furthered by the fact that people cannot accurately process today’s complex dietary information.
In the laboratory we study how information must be presented (for instance, food labels that are easier to interpret) so that people can use it for the intended purpose, especially also in demanding situations such as when under stress. Solutions developed in the laboratory can then be tested in stores (such as Migros supermarkets). Success can contribute towards balanced and healthy nutrition.
Information visualization
People are being confronted with an ever increasing flood of information. Research projects in this area aim to discover how complex information should be visualized in a user-friendly way based on the latest findings of cognitive basic research.
Decision aids
Research projects in this area aim to shape the decision-making environment in such a way that people make decisions that benefit themselves and society. As an additional objective, the findings should contribute towards development of a theory of nudging.
Studies
We are responsible for offering courses that teach universal fundamental laws of human experience and behaviour (cognition, emotions, etc.) and their neuronal basis. Through courses on the history of psychology and the four largest schools of psychology, we ensure a perspective that transcends any individual school of thought. By offering courses on other, non-psychology disciplines we transmit the ability to engage in interdisciplinary dialogue.
We are responsible for further developing the curriculum and involving lecturers in these thematic areas. Research projects in the context of applied cognitive psychology (for instance, designing pictogrammes for use in a medical context, eye witness statements) ensure the transfer of basic research findings to the world of practice.
Modules
- Introduction to and History of Psychology
- General Psychology
- Biological Psychology
- Schools of Psychology I & II
- Philosophy
Publications
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Kühne, Swen J.; Reijnen, Ester; Laasner Vogt, Lea; Baumgartner, Melanie,
2023.
Can carbon labels encourage green food choices?.
Frontiers in Psychology.
13(902869).
Available from: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.902869
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Kühne, Swen J.; Reijnen, Ester; Bremermann-Reiser, Sabine M.,
2022.
Does unpacking the carbon footprint affect travel choices? [poster].
In:
Society for Judgment and Decision Making Annual Meeting, San Diego, USA, 10-13 November 2022.
Available from: https://sjdm.org/presentations/2022-Poster-Kuehne-Swen-Support-Unpacking-Footprint.pdf
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Kühne, Swen J.; Reijnen, Ester,
2022.
Buy solar, get cash back : do rebate description of subsidies influence your electricity choice? [poster].
In:
27th International Association for People-Environment Studies (IAPS) Conference, Lisboa, Portugal, 4-8 July 2022.
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Laasner Vogt, Lea; Kühne, Swen J.; Reijnen, Ester,
2022.
Do visual aids on medication packages make your drug use safer? [poster].
In:
Vision Science Society 2022, St. Pete Beach, FL, USA, 13-18 May 2022.
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Kühne, Swen J.; Reijnen, Ester; Granja, Gracinda; Hansen, Rachel S.,
2022.
Labels affect food choices, but in what ways?.
Nutrients.
14(15), pp. 3204.
Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14153204
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Reijnen, Ester; Laasner Vogt, Lea; Fiechter, Jan P.; Kühne, Swen J.; Meister, Nadine; Venzin, Claudio; Aebersold, Raphael,
2022.
Well-designed medical pictograms accelerate search.
Applied Ergonomics.
103(103799).
Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2022.103799
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Reijnen, Ester; Kühne, Swen J.; Ritter, Reto,
2021.
A healthier beverage choice is based on a subjective assessment of sweet taste.
Journal of Food Research.
10(2), pp. 47-55.
Available from: https://doi.org/10.5539/jfr.v10n2p47
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Kühne, Swen Jonas; Reijnen, Ester; Ritter, Reto,
2021.
Appliance-based solar certificates : a new way of going green.
Energy Policy.
148(111986).
Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2020.111986
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Kühne, Swen J.,
2020.
Nudging healthy food and sustainable choices.
Universität Basel.
Available from: https://doi.org/10.5451/unibas-ep79035
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Reijnen, Ester; Kühne, Swen Jonas; Stöcklin, Markus; Wolfe, Jeremy M.,
2019.
Choosing or rejecting a food item, does framing matter? And what has sugar to do with it!.
Appetite.
143(104410).
Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2019.104410