We engage with each other and the world around us not merely by passive observation, but by actively searching for the hidden rules and structures governing our world.
This innate drive to explore and learn is deeply rooted in the biology and evolutionary history of our brains. Monkeys and other primates with which we share common evolutionary ancestry also share this active curiosity and ability to learn. For them, like us, these are invaluable tools for navigating complex environments and societies.
By studying the systems for exploration and learning within the brains of both humans and monkeys, we seek to understand the role that biology plays in this fundamental aspect of the human condition. In doing so, we develop tools and techniques for helping treat and prevent disorders of learning and cognitive engagement.
Tracking eye-movements while foraging at food trucks
