Why study gesture?

If you watch people talking, you'll notice that much of the time they are also moving their hands and arms around, or gesturing. Why do people do this? What's the connection between such gestures and spoken or signed language? What can studying these gestures tell us about the human mind? These are the basic questions we study in the Gesture and Cognition Lab!

Want to participate in experiments?

Research is non-invasive, and usually fun. You will be compensated for your time. E-mail parrilllabATgmailDOTcom for more information.

Case students

Want to come work for the lab? Possibly even get paid? You can learn how to conduct behavioral research, edit digital video and use tools for speech and gesture transcription and analysis. This kind of research experience is highly valued by employers in a variety of fields and by graduate programs in cognitive science, psychology, linguistics, communications, computer science...etc. Download the application form (a fillable pdf) and e-mail it to parrilllabATgmailDOTcom. Students who have taken COGS 327: Gesture in Communication and Cognition will receive preference.