The Integrative Neuroscience, Psychopathology, and Personality Research (INSPIRE) Lab

The INSPIRE Lab, led by Dr. Takakuni Suzuki, investigates individual differences in cognitive, emotional, and social processes and their underlying mechanisms. Our current focus is how cognitive control (the ability to monitor and adjust one’s own behavior) is affected in people with schizophrenia, and the validity of the brain activity measures, such as theta rhythms recorded with electroencephalography (EEG), that we use to study it. We use multiple data collection and analytic methods that integrate neuroscience, psychometrics, cognitive science, and affective science. We take a transdiagnostic and dimensional approach to understanding psychopathology by examining core psychological processes across individuals with and without mental health difficulties. We aim to advance psychological science through rigorous, theory-driven research that bridges laboratory and real-world settings, informing both foundational psychological models and translational applications that improve people's lives.

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Why use multiple methods? Human experiences are complex and cannot be fully captured by a single method. We therefore measure individual differences and psychological processes in several ways, including (1) self-report questionnaires that capture subjective experience (what people tell us), (2) electroencephalography (EEG) that captures brain activity (what the brain is doing), and (3) ambulatory assessment that captures experiences as people go about their daily lives (what happens outside the laboratory). We combine these sources with modern analytic techniques to understand psychological processes as they unfold across time and context.

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What is a transdiagnostic and dimensional approach? Traditional models of psychopathology rely on categorical diagnoses, such as schizophrenia and personality disorder. Research consistently shows that these categories overlap and do not have clear boundaries. A transdiagnostic approach focuses on psychological processes that cut across diagnostic labels, such as difficulties with cognitive control and emotion regulation. A dimensional perspective views these difficulties as variations along a continuum rather than as experiences unique to a diagnosis. Many psychological challenges are more extreme versions of experiences that everyone has to some degree. This framework lets us bridge basic and clinical science and build a more integrated and precise understanding of mental health.

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Why research? Our research aims to deepen theoretical understanding of the neural and psychological mechanisms that shape cognitive and emotional functioning. We also work to translate these insights into interventions, training programs, and tools that improve people's lives.