Developmental Psychopathology Lab

General information:

The Developmental Psychopathology lab was established in the Department of Psychology at the University of Cyprus by Dr Kostas A. Fanti. Following the Developmental Psychopathology perspective, we combine questions about developmental change and psychopathology. Our research is primarily focused on investigating the development of different psychopathological problems, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and conduct disorder, from preschool to adolescence.

The research methodology we employ is a combination of longitudinal, psychophysiological, neuropsychological, and intervention studies.,

Short Descriprion:

The Developmental Psychopathology Lab (DPL) contains seven high-end computers equipped with software necessary for running physiological experiments and analyzing/processing data. It also features state-of-the-art physiological equipment (BIOPAC) that allows monitoring and recording psychophysiological signals (Electro-myography, skin conductance, and heart rate reactivity). The functional Near Infrared Resonance (fNIR) device, which is a non-invasive functional brain imaging system that detects changes in blood oxygenation levels based on the use of near infrared light resonance, is an additional neuro-physiological device. Furthermore, the Tobii X120 Eye Tracker, which is a standalone eye tracking unit that uses infrared diodes to generate reflection patterns on the corneas of the user's eyes, is used in combination with physiological instruments. The acquired software also includes the Noldus Facereader which can be used to process facial expressions.

Grant Support:

1.The development of aggressive and depressive problems during adolescence.
Marie Curie International Reintegration Grant, European Commission
Main objective: Investigate the development of distinct or combined aggressive and depressive problems from early to middle adolescence.

2.ADHD: Risk and Protective Developmental Processes.
Cyprus Research Promotion Foundation
Main objective: Investigate the development of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and comorbid problems (conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, depression, and anxiety).

3.Desensitization to Media violence
University of Cyprus (Internal research grant)
Main objective: Investigate how aggressive (proactive/reactive aggression) and non-aggressive individuals respond to media violence using physiological (skin conductance, heart rate, electro-myography) and self-report measures.

4.Establishment of a lab with neurophysiological and eye-tracking equipment
University of Cyprus (Start-up funding)
Main objective: Equipment to investigate physiological, prefrontal cortex, and attentional differences between aggressive and non-aggressive individuals.

5.Cross-National Decision Making Study
Klaus J. Jacobs Research Prize awarded to Laurence Steinberg (2009)
A cross-cultural study that aims to investigate developmental differences (age 10 to 30) on impulsivity, decision making and sensation seeking.

6.Improving the identification of Cypriot youth at risk for severe behavior problems to implement evidence-based interventions
J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship awarded to Kimonis, E.
Role: Co-investigator