The Cognition Emotion Interaction (CEI) Lab
Hadas Okon-Singer

Anxiety and depression are distinct – albeit overlapping – psychiatric diseases, currently diagnosed by self-reported-symptoms. This research presents a new diagnostic tool, which rigorously tests for differences in cognitive biases among anxious and depressed individuals. A comprehensive behavioral test battery quantifies various cognitive biases. Advanced machine-learning tools, developed for this study, analyzed these results. These tools detect unique patterns that charac

Cognitive training comprises a class of relatively new therapeutic interventions that target mechanisms implicated across different mental health conditions. Cognitive training programs are designed to enhance emotional functioning, either directly by cultivating different strategies for emotional processing and/or responses or indirectly by bolstering cognitive control processes in a non-emotional context, which in turn should improve emotional functioning. Although many rec

This two-part study had two aims: a) to define psychological markers for the future development of depression symptoms following the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 outbreak; b) to examine the impact of the COVID-19 mobility restrictions and vaccinations on people’s behavioral intentions to travel and their actual travel patterns. This study was conducted at four-time points, during and after general lockdowns in Israel, enabling examination of immediate as well as short-term

My study comprehensively compares two training methods for pain reduction, aiming to change either attention to pain or perceptions about pain. I investigate the mechanisms underlying pain sensitivity reduction induced by these trainings, by employing multidimensional assessment including emotional, cognitive, and physiological measures. I will also use machine learning methods to evaluate whether individual characteristics can predict the beneficiaries of one specific traini

Somatic symptoms, such as physical pain, are very common among individuals struggling with mental health difficulties. Yet, current treatments often fall short in addressing these symptoms, partly because patients may struggle to recognize and express their emotional experiences. Our study introduces a novel intervention called Pain Acceptance Training , which draws on principles of dialectical thinking. Specifically, it encourages individuals to hold a dual perspective: ackn