Amy M. Shapiro

Dr. Shapiro's work has focused on the cognition underlying memory storage and retrieval in the classroom, laboratory and real world. She has examined the effect of the internet and classroom clickers on learning, the development of false memories and the organization of memory store. Her most recent research explores the personality characteristics and cognitive processes that underlie belief in conspiracy theories and misinformation. She seeks to uncover why it is that people who may use rigorous cognitive strategies in most areas of life employ more error-prone strategies when it comes to certain subjects (e.g., government or vaccines). Her work has been funded by the US Department of Education's IES program and the James S. McDonnell Foundation.