Dwight J. Peterson

Dwight J. Peterson is a cognitive psychologist at Concordia College where he directs the Concordia Memory Collective (CMC), conducting research on human memory processes at both behavioral and neural levels. His work trains undergraduate students to become responsibly engaged in psychological science through hands-on research experience.

His academic journey includes:

• B.A. and M.A. from University of Northern Iowa researching Eyewitness Memory and Perception of Race with Drs. Otto and Kim MacLin
• Ph.D. from University of Nevada, Reno as founding member of the Memory and Brain Lab using EEG/ERP and tDCS techniques
• Postdoctoral fellowship at University of Missouri in Dr. Moshe Naveh-Benjamin's Memory and Cognitive Aging Lab

Dr. Peterson's research integrates cognitive psychology with neuroscience methodologies to examine memory processes across the lifespan. His laboratory employs advanced techniques including electroencephalography (EEG), event-related potentials (ERP), and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to investigate the neural correlates of working memory and episodic memory. A significant thread in his work explores how racial perception intersects with eyewitness memory accuracy, contributing to both theoretical understanding and practical applications in legal contexts.

Through the Concordia Memory Collective, Dr. Peterson emphasizes undergraduate research training, providing students with comprehensive experience in experimental design, neurocognitive methods, data analysis, and scientific communication. His educational philosophy centers on developing students' critical thinking skills while advancing knowledge in human memory research.

Contact information:

• Phone: 218.299.4014
• Email: dpeter18@cord.edu
• Lab Website: https://concordiamemory.weebly.com/