Jamie Cockcroft
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Profile
Biography
- 2018-2021: Ph.D. Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, University of York
- 2016-2017: M.Sc. Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Durham
- 2013-2016: B.Sc. (Hons) Psychology, University of Durham
My doctoral work investigated the impact of schema-based processing on memory and generalisation, challenging the assumption that irrelevant information remains unaffected by schema presence. Through behavioural, computational modelling, and neuroimaging approaches, the thesis revealed that schematic information influences both relevant and seemingly irrelevant information. The findings suggested a need to update existing theories and the need to carefully consider schema-irrelevant control conditions when designing studies.
Currently, I am investigating the influence of spatial structure on memory by integrating virtual reality (VR) environments with experimental psychology. The goal is to gain a comprehensive understanding of how spatial structure impacts memory. With this knowledge, we intend to develop computational models capable of predicting the specific spatial environments that can optimally enhance memory, potentially on an individual level.
Career
- 2021-2023: Research Assistant, Ofqual, UK
- 2014-2015: Research Assistant, University of Durham, UK
Research
Overview
Boosting long-term memory via environmental structure in virtual reality
Research group(s)
Collaborators
- Dr Aidan Horner, University of York, UK
- Dr Matthew Logie, CEA, France
Publications
Selected publications
Memory
- Cockcroft, J. P., Berens, S. C., Gaskell, M. G., & Horner, A. J. (2022). Schematic information influences memory and generalisation behaviour for schema-relevant and -irrelevant information. Cognition, 227. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cognition.2022.105203.
- Easton, A., Cockcroft, J. P., Ameen-Ali, K. E., & Eacott, M. J. (2020). Impaired episodic simulation in a patient with visual memory deficit amnesia. Brain and Neuroscience Advances, 4. https://doi.org/10.1177/2398212820954384.
Meta-Science
- Parsons, S., Azevedo, F., Elsherif, M. M., Guay, S., Shahim, O. N., Govaart, G. H., Norris, E., O’Mahony, A., Parker, A. J., Todorovic, A., Pennington, C. R., Garcia-Pelegrin, E., Lazić, A., Robertson, O. M., Middleton, S. L., Valentini, B., McCuaig, J., Baker, B. J., Collins, E., ... Cockcroft, J. P., … & Aczel, B. (2022). A Community-Sourced Glossary of Open Scholarship Terms. Nature Human Behaviour, 6(3), 312-318. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-021-01269-4.
Full publications list
Contact details
External activities
Invited talks and conferences
- Cockcroft, J. P., Berens, S. C., Gaskell, M. G., & Horner, A. J. (2022, July). Schema influence both behaviour for both schema-relevant and -irrelevant information. Invited talk for MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, Online.