Welcome to the Mind In Movement Laboratory
The Mind in Movement Laboratory is located on the main campus of the University of Idaho, in Moscow, Idaho. We are associated with the Department of Psychology & Communication Studies, the Neuroscience Program, and the Graduate Program in Experimental Psychology with an emphasis on Human Factors.
The field of action research encompasses posture and movement and draws on methods from biomechanics, motor control, and psychology. Our work is inspired by the idea that cognitive factors are important for controlling action, and that, therefore, how people carry themselves can yield important insights about how they think.
A better understanding of the role of thought in action may lead to novel treatments for movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease, to better workplace design to reduce strain and injury, and to insights into how to reduce psychophysical problems associated with aging.
Latest News
Spring 2026
Marissa Bershaw was accepted into the Master of Social Work Program at Boise State University.
At the Rocky Mountain Psychological Association in Boise, ID, we presented three posters:
Forward Head Posture: Cognitive Causes and Cognitive Consequences
Cortical Activity Associated with Axial Postural Tone
Postural Tone, Awareness, and Proprioception
At the Institute for Health in the Human Ecosystem Research Symposium in Moscow, ID, we presented a poster:
Cortical Activity Associated with Axial Postural Tone
At the Undergraduate Research Symposium in Moscow, ID, we presented two posters:
Postural Tone, Awareness, and Proprioception
Modernizing 'Twister': A Programmable Arduino Controller for Axial Tone
Fall 2025
Dr. Grant Billings started a new position as an Assissant Professor of Psychology at the University of Montana Western.Jared Grieb was accepted to the Counseling Psychology (PhD) program at Auburn University in Auburn, AL.
Audrey Covill started graduate schoool at Gonzaga University in the Clinical Psychology (PsyD) program.
Spring 2025
Dr. Cohen presented at the Internatiol Consortium of Freezing of Gait in Atlanta, GA. Marissa Bershaw was nominated for the 2025 Lindley Award.Patrick Johnson, Dr. Gabriella Minnes Brandes, Dr. Victoria Door, and Dr. Cohen published a paper titled Pause, observe, intend: A qualitative study exploring expert practitioners’ perceptions of how mindfulness and Alexander technique work synergistically to address stress. in the European Journal of Integrative Medicine.
Colby Hillend won the 2025 Phil Mohan Award for Academic Excellence.
At the Rocky Mountain Psychological Association Conference in Denver, CO, we presented a poster: Lighten Up - Postural Frame Instructions Affect Connection, Confidence, and Enjoyment in Partner Dancing