Taking a joint approach of empirical work and computational modeling, I am interested in how people make decisions in the presence of multi-dimensional information, and how decision-making, unfolding as a temporal dynamic process, interacts with other cognitive mechanisms, such as learning. My research spans domains of visual search, categorization, preference construction, multi-attribute decision-making, and risky choices. My latest research focus is on understanding how false beliefs formed early in the learning process influence subsequent decision-making.
I completed my PhD in Cognitive Psychology (advisor: Dr. James T. Townsend), and a Master in Applied Statistics at Indiana University Bloomington, U.S. My Bachelor’s degree (summa cum laude) is jointly in Psychology and Mathematics-Economics, and my career path in cognitive psychology and mathematical modeling started in Dr. Jerome Busemeyer's decision-making lab during my undergraduate years.
Smith P; Liu Y; Townsend JT; Van Zandt T, 2023, 'Mathematical psychology.', in APA handbook of research methods in psychology: Research designs: Quantitative, qualitative, neuropsychological, and biological (Vol. 2) (2nd ed.)., American Psychological Association, pp. 491 - 514, http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0000319-022
Book Chapters | 2017
Townsend JT; Liu Y; Zhang R, 2017, 'Selective Influence and Classificatory Separability (Perceptual Separability) in Perception and Cognition: Similarities, Distinctions, and Synthesis', in Systems Factorial Technology, Elsevier, pp. 93 - 114, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-804315-8.00007-0
Journal articles | 2026
Trueblood JS; Liu Y; Murrow M; Hayes WM; Holmes WR, 2026, 'Attentional dynamics explain the elusive nature of context effects.', Psychol Rev, http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/rev0000606
Journal articles | 2025
Hasan E; Liu Y; Owens N; Trueblood JS, 2025, 'A registered report on presentation factors that influence the attraction effect', JUDGMENT AND DECISION MAKING, 20, http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/jdm.2024.27
Journal articles | 2025
Liu Y; Newell BR; Lee JE; Hayes BK, 2025, 'Examining the Relationship Between Early Experience, Selective Attention, and the Formation of Learning Traps', Cognitive Science, 49, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/cogs.70070
Journal articles | 2024
Liu Y; Wolfe JM; Trueblood JS, 2024, 'Risky Hybrid Foraging: The Impact of Risk, Reward Value, and Prevalence on Foraging Behavior in Hybrid Visual Search', Journal of Experimental Psychology General, 154, pp. 58 - 79, http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/xge0001652
Journal articles | 2024
Ramsey AT; Liu Y; Trueblood JS, 2024, 'Can Invalid Information Be Ignored When It Is Detected?', PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE, 35, pp. 328 - 344, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/09567976241231571
Journal articles | 2023
Liu Y; Townsend JT; Wenger MJ, 2023, 'Don't be a Square: The processing mechanisms characterising the elemental dimensions of width and height.', Q J Exp Psychol (Hove), 76, pp. 792 - 826, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/17470218221096950
Journal articles | 2023
Liu Y; Trueblood JS, 2023, 'The effect of preference learning on context effects in multi-alternative, multi-attribute choice.', Cognition, 233, pp. 105365, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cognition.2022.105365
Journal articles | 2022
Townsend JT; Liu Y, 2022, 'Varieties of Selective Influence: Toward a More Complete Taxonomy and Implications for Systems Identification', Mathematics, 10, pp. 1059 - 1059, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/math10071059
Journal articles | 2022
Wenger MJ; Townsend JT; De Stefano LA; Liu Y, 2022, 'Effects of shifts in response preferences on characteristics of representation and real-time processing: An application to the Hering illusion.', Atten Percept Psychophys, 84, pp. 101 - 123, http://dx.doi.org/10.3758/s13414-021-02397-9
Journal articles | 2020
Townsend JT; Liu Y; Zhang R; Wenger MJ, 2020, 'Interactive Parallel Models: No Virginia, Violation of Miller's Race Inequality does not Imply Coactivation and Yes Virginia, Context Invariance is Testable', The Quantitative Methods for Psychology, 16, pp. 192 - 212, http://dx.doi.org/10.20982/tqmp.16.2.p192
Journal articles | 2020
Townsend JT; Liu Y, 2020, 'Can the wrong horse win: The ability of race models to predict fast or slow errors', Journal of Mathematical Psychology, 97, pp. 102360 - 102360, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jmp.2020.102360
Journal articles | 2019
Zhang R; Liu Y; Townsend JT, 2019, 'A theoretical study of process dependence for critical statistics in standard serial models and standard parallel models', Journal of Mathematical Psychology, 92, pp. 102277 - 102277, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jmp.2019.102277
Journal articles | 2018
Wenger M; Bryant D; Townsend J; Zhang R; Liu Y, 2018, 'Detecting mean shift integrality using the Hering illusion: initial results using general recognition theory and systems factorial theory', Journal of Vision, 18, pp. 797 - 797, http://dx.doi.org/10.1167/18.10.797
Journal articles | 2017
Liu Y; Zhang R; Townsend J; Wenger M; De Stefano L, 2017, 'An Investigation of the Characteristic Properties of Cognitive Processes with Perceptually Integral Stimuli', Journal of Vision, 17, pp. 470 - 470, http://dx.doi.org/10.1167/17.10.470
Journal articles | 2017
Wenger M; DeStefano L; Townsend J; Liu Y; Zhang R, 2017, 'Examining a shift in response bias through two lenses: A concurrent examination of process and informational characteristics', Journal of Vision, 17, pp. 172 - 172, http://dx.doi.org/10.1167/17.10.172
Journal articles | 2017
Zhang R; Liu Y; Townsend JT; Wenger MJ; De Stefano LA, 2017, 'A concurrent investigation of perceptual separability and process arrangement using perceptually separable stimuli', Journal of Vision, 17, pp. 1257 - 1257, http://dx.doi.org/10.1167/17.10.1257
Watson P; Lee WJ; Lee J; Liu Y; Newell B; Hayes B, 2024, The role of attentional processes in the emergence and prevention of learning traps, http://dx.doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/7fx4p
Preprints | 2023
Hasan E; Liu Y; Owens N; Trueblood JS, 2023, A registered report on presentation factors that influence the attraction effect, http://dx.doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/rfcgp
Preprints | 2023
Liu Y; Wolfe J; Trueblood JS, 2023, Risky Hybrid Foraging: The Impact of Risk, Reward Value, and Prevalence on Foraging Behavior in Hybrid Visual Search, http://dx.doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/6fney
Preprints | 2022
Trueblood JS; Liu Y; Murrow M; Hayes WM; Holmes W, 2022, Attentional Dynamics Explain the Elusive Nature of Context Effects, http://dx.doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/hj8dg
Liu Y; Trueblood JS, 2021, The Effect of Preference Learning on Context Effects in Multi-alternative, Multi-attribute Choice, http://dx.doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/vjmrz
