How do we create the representations that allow us to understand the world and how are these representations modified as a result of learning?

I am interested in all aspects of the relevant themes in cognitive psychology (concepts, learning, reasoning, language).

Is it possible to understand certain aspects of maladaptive behaviour from a cognitive perspective?

I am applying well-established paradigms in cognitive psychology in the study of alcohol abuse and overeating behaviour.

Recent Publications:

Pothos, E. M. & Busemeyer, J. R. (2009). A quantum probability explanation for violations of 'rational' decision theory. Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 276, 2171-2178.

Pothos, E. M. & Bailey, T. M. (2009). Predicting category intuitiveness with the rational model, the simplicity model, and the Generalized Context Model. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 35, 1062-1080.

Pothos, E. M. (2007). Theories of Artificial Grammar Learning. Psychological Bulletin, 133, 227-244.

Pothos, E. M. (2005). The rules versus similarity distinction. Behavioral & Brain Sciences, 28, 1-49. (target article)

Pothos, E. M. & Chater, N. (2002). A simplicity principle in unsupervised human categorization. Cognitive Science, 26, 303-343.