Vivian Paulun
@vivianpaulun.bsky.social
Cognitive neuroscientist studying how we see and think about the physical world.
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
https://paulunlab.psych.wisc.edu/
she/her
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
https://paulunlab.psych.wisc.edu/
she/her
LAB MANAGER/TECH: This is an excellent position for a recent college graduate with a strong technical background a serious interest in cognitive science/neuroscience to explore the field as a possible steppingstone to graduate school. Official ad for this position will come soon!
November 17, 2025 at 9:49 PM
LAB MANAGER/TECH: This is an excellent position for a recent college graduate with a strong technical background a serious interest in cognitive science/neuroscience to explore the field as a possible steppingstone to graduate school. Official ad for this position will come soon!
GRAD STUDENTS: We are looking for talented and motivated grad students to join the lab in the Fall 2026! Prospective students need to apply through the Psychology Department. The deadline is 12/1. More information here: psych.wisc.edu/graduate-pro...
About The Graduate Program
About the Graduate Program The Department of Psychology has fostered excellence in research and scholarship for over 100 years. The department provides graduate students with the best available training to prepare them for a variety of professional careers in academic, clinical, research, and other settings. Emphasis is on both extensive academic training in general psychology…
psych.wisc.edu
November 17, 2025 at 9:46 PM
GRAD STUDENTS: We are looking for talented and motivated grad students to join the lab in the Fall 2026! Prospective students need to apply through the Psychology Department. The deadline is 12/1. More information here: psych.wisc.edu/graduate-pro...
POSTDOC: We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher to lead studies of human perception of dynamic scenes (e.g., materials and physics) and its (neuro-) computational basis. Specific research directions will be developed with the postdoc. Applications accepted until the position is filled.
November 17, 2025 at 9:44 PM
POSTDOC: We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher to lead studies of human perception of dynamic scenes (e.g., materials and physics) and its (neuro-) computational basis. Specific research directions will be developed with the postdoc. Applications accepted until the position is filled.
So happy to this study finally out and on my last official day at MIT nonetheless!
August 1, 2025 at 2:01 PM
So happy to this study finally out and on my last official day at MIT nonetheless!
These findings suggest that distinct mental algorithms are engaged when we perceive Things and Stuff, as they are in artificial physics engines. This raises a lot of interesting questions for future research.
August 1, 2025 at 1:59 PM
These findings suggest that distinct mental algorithms are engaged when we perceive Things and Stuff, as they are in artificial physics engines. This raises a lot of interesting questions for future research.
3) Most importantly, we found a functional dissociation between Stuff and Things within both the dorsal and ventral visual pathways.
August 1, 2025 at 1:56 PM
3) Most importantly, we found a functional dissociation between Stuff and Things within both the dorsal and ventral visual pathways.
2) The Frontoparietal Physics Network’ which we know processes the physics of rigid objects also represents the physics of Stuff.
August 1, 2025 at 1:54 PM
2) The Frontoparietal Physics Network’ which we know processes the physics of rigid objects also represents the physics of Stuff.
1) The Lateral Occipital Complex (LOC) represents not only rigid 3D shapes but also deformable materials and Stuff that has no constant shape.
August 1, 2025 at 1:53 PM
1) The Lateral Occipital Complex (LOC) represents not only rigid 3D shapes but also deformable materials and Stuff that has no constant shape.
We scanned volunteers using fMRI while they watched video clips of rigid and deformable “Things” as well as granular and liquid “Stuff”. Our study revealed 3 key results: ...
August 1, 2025 at 1:52 PM
We scanned volunteers using fMRI while they watched video clips of rigid and deformable “Things” as well as granular and liquid “Stuff”. Our study revealed 3 key results: ...