The Integrative Psychopathology and Personality Research (INSPIRE) Lab

At the INSPIRE lab (directed by Dr. Takakuni Suzuki), we investigate the transdiagnostic and dimensional nature of psychopathology using multiple data collection and analytic methods. We are particularly interested in determining the emotional and social processes that underlie the difficulties experienced by individuals affected by psychopathology to identify mechanisms that can be treated or trained to improve day-to-day functioning.
 

What is transdiagnostic and dimensional? Traditionally, psychopathology has been defined within a categorical model, using labels that you may have heard, such as schizophrenia and personality disorder. However, research consistently shows that there are no clear boundaries across such categorical diagnoses and, rather, that there are a lot of overlaps among them (transdiagnostic). Further, these psychopathology difficulties are better characterized as extreme versions of normative experiences, that everybody could experience (dimensional), and not by whether you have or do not have a psychopathology.

 

Why multiple methods? Psychopathology is a very complex experience, which no one method can fully capture. Therefore, we use multiple measurement methods to gather information about people's experiences, particularly relying on questionnaires to understand subjective experiences (what you tell us) and electroencephalogram (EEG) to understand the brain processes (how your brain is acting). We also gather information at different times, in the laboratory and in daily lives (ecological momentary assessment; EMA). These data are then subjected to various analytic methods to understand the nuances of people's experiences.

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Why research? While our current research focuses on assessing and understanding human experiences, the ultimate goal of this line of research is to translate these findings into treatment or training programs to help improve the functioning of individuals affected by various forms of psychopathology.