Martin Shapiro

Martin Shapiro is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at California State University, Fresno, within the College of Science and Mathematics. His research focuses on learning, decision-making, and neuroscience, with particular expertise in animal behavior and human risky decision-making.

Education:

• BS - California Polytechnic, San Luis Obispo
• MA - California State University, Humboldt
• MA - University of Hawaii, Manoa
• PhD - University of Hawaii, Manoa
• Postdoctoral Fellowship - Oxford University

Research Interests:

Shapiro's primary research interests encompass learning, decision making, and neuroscience. His work has evolved from studying animal behavior and animal learning to focusing primarily on risky decision making and confidence in humans. His laboratory employs advanced techniques including:

• Computer-based tasks testing memory and gambling decisions based on confidence
• Electroencephalography (EEG) lab examining event-related potentials
• Psychophysiology lab using BIOPAC equipment to measure stress responses
• Brain-Computer Interface technology using Emotiv equipment

Research Trends:

Shapiro's extensive publication record spans from 1969 to 2020, demonstrating a consistent focus on learning and decision-making across species. His early work concentrated on animal learning, particularly in insects like honeybees and parasitic wasps, examining associative learning, memory duration, and risk sensitivity. More recent publications have shifted toward human decision-making, investigating risky choices, confidence judgments, and the physiological correlates of decision-making under uncertainty. This evolution reflects a sophisticated research program that bridges comparative psychology with human cognitive neuroscience.

Laboratory Facilities:

Shapiro maintains multiple research facilities including:

• Electroencephalography (EEG) laboratory for studying brain activity during decision-making
• Psychophysiology laboratory equipped with BIOPAC systems for measuring heart rate, galvanic skin response, and muscle activity (EMG)
• Brain-Computer Interface laboratory using Emotiv equipment for EEG-based biofeedback experiments

Student Involvement:

Shapiro emphasizes providing students with hands-on research experience, involving them in all aspects of his experimental programs from animal behavior studies to human EEG and psychophysiology research. His laboratory serves as a training ground for students interested in neuroscience, experimental psychology, and research methodology.