EWU Cognition Lab

About the Lab

Research in Dr. Jillene Seiver’s Cognition Lab focuses on cognition in relationships, work, and school.

We have ongoing projects that address the cognitive implications of:

  • Work-life balance – for example, how work or family may interfere with primary goals.
  • Homeschooling – for example, how homeschooled children engage in their communities.
  • Distraction – for example, whether cellphones help or hinder cognition.
  • Motivation – for example, the drive to work versus the drive to be a parent.
  • Sexual attraction – for example, how we determine whether someone is interested in us.

These questions seek to understand the impact of cognitive tendencies on different aspects of life outcomes. There are many opportunities for students to get involved with these questions, perhaps adding a detail of their own to expand the breadth of the topic.

Dr. Seiver is very interested in working with McNair Scholars and supporting Len Stern and William Greene scholarship applicants.

Research Projects

Seiver, J. G. (April, 2025). The effect of methodology: Inferences of sexual interest from behavioral cues. Paper presented at the meeting of the Rocky Mountain Psychological Association, Denver.

Stephens, T., & Seiver, J. G. (April, 2023). A head start or a competition? Examining extra pressure on running start students. Paper presented at the meeting of the Western Psychological Association, Riverside, CA.

Becerra, A., & Seiver J. G. (April, 2022). Effects of mood and personality on everyday life. Paper presented at the meeting of the Western Psychological Association, Portland, OR.

Cooney, B., & Seiver, J. G. (April, 2022). Factors affecting resilience during COVID-19. Paper presented at the meeting of the Western Psychological Association, Portland, OR.

Williams, R., & Seiver, J. G. (April, 2022). Brains and brawn: The relationship between mental toughness and military experience in college students. Paper presented at the meeting of the Western Psychological Association, Portland, OR.

DeVerna, G. M., & Seiver, J. G. (April, 2021). The Impact of Rivalry in College Basketball Outcomes and Scores. Paper presented at the meeting of the Western Psychological Association.

Pierce, T., & Seiver, J. G. (April, 2021). The Impact of Rivalry in College Football Outcomes and Scores. Paper presented at the meeting of the Western Psychological Association.

Sanchez, S., & Seiver, J. G. (April, 2021). Attitudes about Institutional Responses to Sexual Harassment. Paper presented at the meeting of the Western Psychological Association.

Hagman, E., & Seiver, J. G. (April, 2018). Inferring Sexual Interest from Behavioral Cues as a Function of 2D:4D Ratio and Sex. Paper presented at the meeting of the Western Psychological Association, Portland, OR.

LeCompte, D., & Seiver, J. G. (April, 2018). Detecting Cheaters: The Importance of Negative Context Clues in Uncertain Social Situations. Paper presented at the meeting of the Western Psychological Association, Portland, OR.

Pearyoo, S., Vu, L., Wang, N., & Seiver, J. G. (April, 2018). More Attention, Less Deficit: The Mindfulness Prescription to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms. Paper presented at the meeting of the Western Psychological Association, Portland, OR.

Pope, E., & Seiver, J. G. (April, 2018). Work-Life Balance and Overall Health as a Function of Work Stability and Gender. Paper presented at the meeting of the Western Psychological Association, Portland, OR.

Robertson, S. K., & Seiver, J. G. (April, 2018). Helpful Yelpful: How Online Restaurant Reviews Affect Consumer Attitudes. Paper presented at the meeting of the Western Psychological Association, Portland, OR.

Seiver, J. G., & Seiver, P. (April, 2017). Hunger games: Adult male traditional archers show improvements in scores when competing against a rival. Paper presented at the meeting of the Western Psychological Association, Sacramento, CA.

Baghaei, P., Bylenga, K., Kennedy, B., Thiara, S., & Seiver, J. G. (April, 2017). Increasing the motivation to exercise with a mindful approach. Paper presented at the meeting of the Western Psychological Association, Sacramento, CA.

Pope, E. & Seiver, J. G. (April, 2016). Involvement in extra-curricular activity as a function of type of schooling and personality. Paper presented at the meeting of the Western Psychological Association, Long Beach, CA.

Seiver, A. C. & Seiver, J. G. (April, 2016). Experienced gamers have super vision. Paper presented at the meeting of the Rocky Mountain Psychological Association, Denver, CO.

Willcockson, R. & Seiver, J. G. (April, 2016). Relationship between mobile phone access during study time and academic performance. Paper presented at the meeting of the Western Psychological Association, Long Beach, CA.

Seiver, J. G., DeFehr, T. M., Layden, V. J., & Orthmann, R. (April, 2024). Balancing it All and Feeling Good About It. Symposium presented at the meeting of the Rocky Mountain Psychological Association, Denver.

Seiver, J. G., Tuip, H. M., Hagman, E., & Schafer, G. (April, 2020). Interpersonal Judgments: Stereotyping, Social Desirability, or Demand Characteristics? Symposium presented at the meeting of the Rocky Mountain Psychological Association, Denver.

Seiver, J. G., Pope, E., Baum, J., Whitley, T. (April, 2019). Workplace Issues: Attraction, Distraction, and Balance. Symposium presented at the meeting of the Rocky Mountain Psychological Association, Denver.

Edney, J. (2025). Big Five Traits and Stroop Performance.

McCurdy, Z. (2025). Parenting Styles and Stroop Performance.

DeFehr, T. (2024). Work-Life Balance.

Campuzano, I. (2022). Traumatic Brain Injury and COVID-19.

Poss, H. (2022). Attitudes towards sex work and sex-workers.

Ssebanakitta, B. (2022). Resilience in the face of COVID-19.

Campuzano, I. (2021). Attitudes about returning to campus during COVID-19.

Khayesi, D. (2021). Mental health challenges in college students.

Sanchez, S. (2020). Experience and mental health in college students.

Bruce, R. D. (May, 2024). Feeling of control as a function of cellphone use in the morning. Paper presented at the Eastern Washington University Research and Creative Works Symposium, Cheney, WA.

DeLeon, E. J. (May, 2024). Inferring sexual interest from behavioral cues as a function of 2D:4D ratio and sex. Paper presented at the Eastern Washington University Research and Creative Works Symposium, Cheney, WA.

Layden, V. J. (May, 2024). Accelerating education: video playback speed and memory retention. Paper presented at the Eastern Washington University Research and Creative Works Symposium, Cheney, WA.

DeFehr, T. M. (May, 2023). Work-life balance is imperative to how we spend our time at work and with family. Paper presented at the Eastern Washington University Research and Creative Works Symposium, Cheney, WA.

Hines, K. (May, 2023). Effects of procrastination and intrinsic motivation on academic performance and life satisfaction in upper division courses. Paper presented at the Eastern Washington University Research and Creative Works Symposium, Cheney, WA.

Ssebanakitta, B. (May, 2023). Post traumatic growth after COVID-19 as a function of cognitive emotional regulation and emotional intelligence. Paper presented at the Eastern Washington University Research and Creative Works Symposium, Cheney, WA.

Poss, H. (May, 2022). Sex work. Paper presented at the Eastern Washington University Research and Creative Works Symposium, Cheney, WA.

Sanchez, S. (May, 2020). The mere presence of a cell phone may be distracting. Paper presented at the Eastern Washington University Research and Creative Works Symposium, Cheney, WA.

Pope, E. (April, 2015). Involvement in extra-curricular activity by home- and public-schooled individuals during childhood and young adulthood. Paper presented at the meeting of the National Council on Undergraduate Research, Cheney, WA.

Pope, E. (April, 2015). Involvement in extra-curricular activity by home- and public-schooled individuals during childhood and young adulthood. Paper presented at the meeting of the Rocky Mountain Psychological Association, Boise, ID.

Seiver, S. (April, 2015). Helpful Yelpful — consumer consumption of online reviews for experiential goods. Paper presented at the meeting of the National Council on Undergraduate Research, Cheney, WA.

Thompson, W. (April, 2015). Memory ninja. Paper presented at the meeting of the National Council on Undergraduate Research, Cheney, WA.

Seiver, J. G., & Pope. E. (2022). The kids are alright II: Social engagement in young adulthood as a function of K-12 schooling type, personality traits, and parental education level. Home School Researcher.

Seiver, J. G., & Pope. E. (2022). The kids are alright I: Social engagement in young adulthood as a function of K-12 schooling type. Home School Researcher.

Seiver, J. G., Pires, M., & Awan, F., & Thompson, W. (2019). Long-term retention of word pairs as a function of orienting task and intent to learn. Journal of Cognitive Psychology, 31(7),1-18. https://doi.org/10.1080/20445911.2019.1664555

Seiver, J. G., & Troja, A. (2014). Satisfaction and success in online learning as a function of the needs for affiliation, autonomy, and mastery. Distance Education, http://doi.org/10.1080/01587919.2014.891427

Contact the Researcher

Jillene Grover Seiver, PhD

Senior Lecturer
Associate Chair
Photo of Jillene Grover Seiver, PhD
Martin Hall 151C