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EDUCATION

2005 - Present

Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology (expected Summer 2010), Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado. Advisor: Dr. Benjamin Clegg

2007

M.S. in Cognitive Psychology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado.

Advisor: Dr. Benjamin Clegg

Thesis topic: Processing in Visuospatial Working Memory: The Effects of Presentation Type and Spatial Configuration

2004

B.S. in Psychology (German minor), summa cum laude, University Honors and Honors in Psychology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.

Advisor: Dr. Valerie Sims

Honors in the Major Thesis Title: Proficiency as a Predictor of Lexical Representation in English Students Learning German

PUBLICATIONS

Peer Reviewed Journals

Morett, L.†, Clegg, B. A., Blalock, L. D., & Mong, H. M. (2009). Applying multimedia learning theory to map learning and driving navigation. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 12, 40-49.

Works in Progress

Blalock, L. D., & McCabe, D. P. (under review). Proactive interference and practice effects in visuospatial working memory span task performance. Submitted to Memory.

Blalock, L. D., & Clegg, B. A. (under review). Encoding and representation of simultaneous and sequential arrays in visuospatial working memory. Submitted to Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology.

Blalock, L. D., & Clegg, B. A. (in prep). Impact of global versus local attentional processing on visual working memory organization.

Peer Reviewed Proceedings

Blalock, L. D., Sawyer, B. S. †, Kiken, A. †, Clegg, B. A. (in press). The impact of load on dynamic versus static situational knowledge while driving. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.

Campbell, G. E., Johnson, C. I., & Durrance, L. M. (2004, December). Moving science education out of the classroom: The impact of collaboration and conceptual change activities on learning. Proceedings of the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation & Education Conference.

Sims, V. K., Chin, M. G., Durrance, L. M., & Johnson, C. I. (2004, September).  Mental models of computers as a function of Sex and Perceived Trust.  Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, 46, 1248-1251.

† denotes undergraduate student

PRESENTATIONS

Invited Talks

Blalock, L. D. (2009, April). Interactions Between Attention and Visual Working Memory. Presented at the Department of Psychology, University of Colorado, Boulder.

Conference Presentations

Blalock, L. D., & Clegg, B. A. (2009, November). Impact of Item Familiarity on Short-term Consolidation in Visual Working Memory. Poster to be presented at the 50th annual meeting of the Psychonomic Society, Boston, MA.

Blalock, L. D., & Clegg, B. A. (2009, May). Impact of Global vs. Local Attentional Processing on Visual Working Memory Organization. Poster presented at the Vision Sciences Society 9th Annual Meeting, Naples, FL.

Blalock, L. D., & McCabe, D. P. (2008, November). Proactive Interference and Practice Effects in Working Memory Span Performance. Poster presented at the 49th annual meeting of the Psychonomic Society, Chicago, IL.

Morett, L.†, Clegg, B. A., Durrance, L.M., & Mong, H. M. (2008, May).  Application of multimedia learning theory to map learning and driving navigation.  Poster presented at the 20th annual convention of the Association for Psychological Science, Chicago, IL.

Morett, L.†, Clegg, B. A., Durrance, L.M., & Mong, H. M. (2008, April).  Application of multimedia learning theory to map learning and driving navigation.  Poster presented at the 78th annual convention of the Rocky Mountain Psychological Association, Boise, ID.

Durrance, L. M., & Clegg, B. A. (2007, November). Encoding, Representation, and General Fluid Intelligence in Visuospatial Working Memory. Poster presented at the 48th annual meeting of the Psychonomic Society, Long Beach, CA.

Durrance, L. M., & Clegg, B. A. (2007, May). Aspects of Spatial Cognition: Representation in Visuospatial Working Memory. Poster presented at the 19th annual convention of the Association for Psychological Science, Washington, DC.

Durrance, L. M., Clegg, B.  A., & DeLosh, E. L. (2006, April). Can Spatial Information Improve Item Recall? Paper presented at the 76th annual convention of the Rocky Mountain Psychological Association, Park City, UT.

Campbell, G. E, Durrance, L. M., & Johnson, C. I. (2005, May). Personality as a Moderator of the Collaborative Learning Effect. Poster presented at the 17th annual convention of the American Psychological Society, Los Angeles, CA.

Campbell, G. E., Johnson, C. I., & Durrance, L. M. (2004, December). Moving Science Education Out of the Classroom: The Impact of Collaboration and Conceptual Change Activities on Learning. Paper presented at the 2004 Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation & Education Conference, Orlando, FL.

Sims, V. K., Chin, M. G., Durrance, L. M., & Johnson, C. I. (2004, October).  Mental models of computers as a function of Sex and Perceived Trust. Poster presented at the 48th annual meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, New Orleans, LA.

Durrance, L. M., Sims, V. K., & Chin, M. G. (2004, May). Errors in a Bilingual Lexical Decision Task: The Proficiency Factor. Poster presented at the 16th annual convention of the American Psychological Society, Chicago, IL.

Durrance, L. M. (2004, April). Proficiency as a Predictor of Lexical Representation in English Speakers Learning German. Poster presented at the 1st annual University of Central Florida Showcase of Undergraduate Research Excellence, Orlando, FL. Poster won honorable mention award.

Durrance, L. M., Sims, V. K., & Chin, M.G. (2004, March). Reaction Time Differences in a Bilingual Lexical Decision Task for Learners of German at Different Proficiency Levels. Poster presented at the 50th annual meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, Atlanta, GA.

† denotes undergraduate student

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Graduate Research Assistant - 2005 – Present

Colorado State University, Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) grant entitled Training Knowledge and Skills for the Networked Battlefield.

Advisor: Dr. Benjamin Clegg

Research associate - 2003 – 2005

NAVAIR Orlando Training Systems Division

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Visual Working Memory

Visual Working Memory and Attention

Central Executive Involvement in Visuospatial Processing

Spatial Memory in Applied Cognition

Spatial Situation Awareness

TEACHING INTERESTS

Cognitive psychology, Applied cognitive psychology, Human performance, Psychological research methods, Statistics, Basic learning

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Applied Cognitive Psychology Lab, Instructor - Fall 2009

1. •Responsible for all aspects of the class, including designing the course and setting up mock experiments. In this independent lab course, students participate in classic studies with as well as propose, develop, and write up their own research project. The course emphasizes scientific, APA style writing. Approximately 12-15 students per section (responsible for two sections).
   

Mind, Brain, and Behavior, Guest Lecturer - Spring 2009

1. •Gave a guest lecture for Mind, Brain, and Behavior (a course that covers neuropsychology, sensation and perception, and cognition) on decision making and problem solving to 80+ students
   

Introduction to Psychology, Guest Lecturer - Fall 2007, Fall 2008, Spring 2008

1. •Gave a guest lecture for Introduction to Psychology on working memory to 200+ students
   

SPSS Workshop, Instructor - July 2006, 2007

1. •National Science Foundation funded Research Experience for Undergraduates Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
   

2. •Taught a three hour workshop on SPSS that included topics such as restructuring data, recoding data, and various statistical analyses (e.g., t-tests, one-way ANOVAs, and correlation); approximately 12 students
   

Cognitive Psychology Lab, Instructor - Fall 2006

1. •Was responsible for all aspects of two sections of the class. In this independent lab course, students participate in classic studies with as well as propose, develop, and write up their own research project. The course emphasizes scientific, APA style writing. Approximately 12-15 students per section.