About Us

In the Bronstein Lab we investigate how people form, maintain, and update their beliefs, and how these beliefs shape decisions related to trust, health, and well-being. A central focus of our work is understanding why certain beliefs can be resistant to change, even if they are inaccurate or misleading, and how this can affect behavior and mental health.

Our research examines the cognitive and emotional processes that underlie belief formation and decision-making, particularly within individuals with depression and psychosis. We study these processes by using methods designed to reflect how people think and make decisions in their daily lives. Through these methods we aim to understand how people interpret and process information, and how this influences daily behavior, mental health symptoms, and belief systems. We are especially interested in the role of cognitive biases, susceptibility to misinformation, and emotional processes, such as rumination.

We utilize advanced data analysis techniques, including causal inference and predictive machine learning, to identify patterns both within individuals and across groups. These approaches allow us to model cognitive, emotional, and behavioral pathways linked to mental health outcomes and decision-making. Our goal is to translate this work into more effective prevention strategies, interventions, and understand the mechanisms of belief flexibility. In addition to computational and behavioral methods, the lab also uses non-invasive ultrasound neuromodulation as a tool to study cognitive processes involved in information processing.

Current areas of research include:

• Cognitive biases in social perception and belief formation
• Trust and health decision-making
• Health behavior in individuals with serious mental illness
• Understanding contributors to suicidal thoughts
• Predictive modeling for mental health risk assessment
• Intervention approaches to improve cognitive flexibility