Dr. Heath Matheson

Biography

Heath Matheson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Memorial University of Newfoundland. He is a theoretically motivated experimental psychologist whose work focuses on the theory of embodied cognition, which posits that thinking and learning arise from interactions between the brain, body, and environment in service of action. He utilizes brain imaging techniques in cognitive neuroscience, specifically electroencephalography, to examine how embodied experiences shape brain function and thought processes. Matheson’s current research centers on key areas such as object recognition, semantic memory, body schemas, conceptual thinking, creative problem solving, and predictive coding in semantics and language. His lab, the CREATE Lab, is dedicated to fundamental research on the nature of the mind and brain, addressing large-scale questions about how we learn and understand concepts. This research has significant implications for education and health, and students in his lab receive training in the scientific study of human behavior and brain functions, gaining skills to address various psychological problems.

Research Interests