UMass Boston

Methods

Our lab uses a variety of different methods in order to measure what your baby may remember. For example, infants may look longer at an object or a face that they have seen previously and consider familiar. Maybe an infant's heart rate will rise when in the presence of a stranger as opposed to his/her own mother. We may notice changes in natural hormone levels that are measured in saliva. In some of our studies, we can look at different responses to normal activities by  measuring changes or patterns in brain wave activity using an EEG sensor cap. To new mothers, we understand these methods may seem unfamiliar or a little daunting, but there are no risks associated with any of our measures. Our goal is to make your visit as pleasant as possible!