About Us
The Unconscious Processes (UP) Lab is devoted to the theoretical and empirical study of unconscious processes. The theoretical work involves integrating the results of this research with cognitive neuroscience views of the mind to create an empirically supported model of the unconscious. We also study practical applications of unconscious processes to psychotherapy, clinical issues, bias, and politics. Lab members are mostly Ph.D. students working on dissertations as well as their own independent projects. The UP lab also includes Masters students, undergraduates, and volunteers. Dr. Joel Weinberger mentors these projects, collaborates with UP members, and engages in his own scholarship. Much of this work is discussed in a book authored by Dr. Weinberger and a former-member of the UP group, Valentina Stoycheva.
Sculpture of "Birth of an Idea"
Overview
Mar 2026
Dr. Weinberger’s lab focuses on implicit measures, personality psychology, and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into psychological research. Recent projects include Drew’s co-authored publication on unconscious processes, Ilan’s forthcoming study on the use of ketamine in psychotherapy, and Andrew and Dr. Weinberger’s collaboration to automate personality scoring (e.g., achievement tests) using AI. Tyler is conducting a study on how individuals describe others, while Preston is examining the relationship between paternal involvement and borderline personality organization.
From left: Ilan, Dr. Weinberger, Andrew, Tyler, Christina, Preston.
Not shown: Drew
Lab News
Grant Approved
In March 2026, Andrew had a grant approved of $5000 to automize scoring process of implicit measures (e.g., achievement tests).
Paper in Review
Weinberger, J., Hodis, D. M., Igonin, I., & Kilpatrick, T. J. (2026b). The unconscious: History, research, neurocognitive models, and clinical implications. Psychoanalytic Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1037/pap0000587
Ketamine Study
Ignonin, I., (August 2026)
Esketamine and SSRIs in Depression Treatment: A
Comparative Mixed-Methods Analysis [Conference presentation [in-prep for
APA 2026, Division 12- society of clinical psychology, August 6-8, Washington D.C
and APA 2026 and Division 39- Society for Psychoanalysis and Psychoanalytic Psychology, August 6-8, Washington D.C]
Implicit Psychology
Heiser, D. (Host). (2024). The Unconscious [Podcast]. ISTP. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cu2F2pUEH0Y
Sports and Traits
Kilpatrick, T.J. & Weinberger, J. (April 2025). Differences in trait agreeableness in individual and team sport athletes. [Poster presentation]. Adelphi University 22nd Research and Creative Works Conference, Garden City, NY, United States.
Distress Tolerance
Hew, Y.C. & Chew, P. (Jul 2024). Distress Tolerance as a Risk Factor of Specific Internet-Use Disorders [Poster presentation]. James Cook University Year Conference, Australia.