معرفی
Robert E Rehder is a Professor of Psychology at New York University's Department of Psychology within the College of Arts & Science. He holds a B.A. in Physics and B.S. in Computer Science from Washington University, an M.S. in Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence) from Stanford University, and a Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology from the University of Colorado. His research focuses on causal cognition, including causal-based categories, causal reasoning, and causal learning, with a strong emphasis on computational models such as Bayesian networks. He leads the Concepts & Causality Lab, investigating dynamic systems and developing formalisms to address limitations in traditional causal graphical models.
Education:
- Ph.D. Cognitive Psychology, University of Colorado at Boulder (1998)
- M.A. Cognitive Psychology, University of Colorado at Boulder (1995)
- M.S. Computer Science (AI), Stanford University (1990)
- B.S. Computer Science & B.A. Physics, Washington University (1978)
Research Interests:
Dr. Rehder explores how causal knowledge is represented, integrated with observations, and influences reasoning. Key areas include causal categories (classification and feature inference), causal reasoning (inference between variables), and causal learning (discovering causal structures). Recent work examines dynamic systems with continuous variables and feedback loops, addressing challenges like temporal abstraction and systematic errors in learner behavior.
His recent publications (2021–2025) emphasize process models of causal reasoning, variability in judgments, and the role of inhibitory causal links. While no scientific awards are listed, his work contributes significantly to advancing computational models of causal cognition.
Lab & Affiliations:
As Department Chair and lab director, Rehder oversees the Concepts & Causality Lab at NYU, located at 6 Washington Place. His lab collaborates on system dynamics and causal representation, with a focus on extending formal frameworks to complex real-world scenarios.
