Michael Carlin, Ph.D.

Faculty Appointment(s) In:
   Psychiatry

Other Affiliation(s):
   Shriver Center

Studies of Intelligence Related Differences...

Dr. Carlin's research focus comprises studies of intelligence-related differences on various cognitive (e.g., visual search, match-to-sample) and perceptual (e.g., apparent motion) tasks. Particular attention is given to the effects of visual-array manipulations on performance. An important emphasis of the program is the determination of the potential modifiability of identified attentional deficits via perceptual training procedures or manipulations of task structure. Recent results have indicated that initial deficits on visual search and motion perception tasks can be substantially reduced, and sometimes eliminated, following basic skills instruction and perceptual training. Results from this program of research have import for theoretical discussions of intelligence-related differences in speed of processing, attentional capacity, and metacognitive functioning, as well as applied relevance for the design of optimal learning environments and training procedures, for individuals with mental retardation .

Ongoing Projects

Representative Publications

Carlin M.T. , Soraci, S.A., Chechile, N.A., Dennis, N.A., & Loiselle, R.C. (in press). Enhancing free recall rates of individuals with mental retardation. American Journal on Mental Retardation.

Carlin, M.T., Soraci, S.A., & Strawbridge, C. (in press). Enhancing performances of individuals with mental retardation: Manipulations of stimulus structure. To appear in S. A. Soraci (Ed.), Perspectives on fundamental processes in intellectual functioning, Volume 2: Greenwich, CT: Ablex.

Serna, R. & Carlin, M.T. (in press). Guiding visual attention in individuals with mental retardation. To appear in International Review of Research in Mental Retardation. New York: Academic Press.
Carlin, M.T., Soraci, S.A., Hobbs, K.C., & Bud, M.J. (1999). Detection of motion-defined forms by individuals with mental retardation and autism: Evidence for modifiability. Intelligence.

Soraci, S.A., Carlin, M.T., Chechile, R.A., Franks, J.J., Wills, T., & Watanobe, T. (1999). Encoding variability and cuing in generative processing. Journal of Memory and Language, 41, 541-559.

Soraci, S.A., Carlin, M.T., & Chechile, R.A. (1998). The detection of interstimulus relations: A locus of intelligence-related differences. In J. Kingma & W.Tomic (Eds.), Advances in cognition and education: Contextual issues in research in intelligence. JAI Press, Inc., Greenwich, CT.

Soraci, S.A., Carlin, M.T., & Wiltse, L.J. (1998). Facilitating visual attention. In Soraci, S.A. & McIlvane, W.J.(Eds.), Perspectives on fundamental processes in intellectual functioning. Vol. 1: A survey of research approaches. Greenwich, CT: Ablex.

Carlin, M. T., Soraci, S., Goldman, A. L., & McIlvane, W. (1995). Visual search in unidimensional arrays: A comparison between subjects with and without mental retardation. Intelligence, 21, 175-196.

Carlin, M. T., & Soraci, S. A., Jr. (1993). Similarities in the detection of stimulus symmetry by individuals with and without mental retardation. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 98, 336-348.

Soraci, S. A., Jr., & Carlin, M. T. (1992). Stimulus organization and relational learning. In N. W. Bray (Ed.), International review of research in mental retardation (Volume 18, pp. 29-53). New York: Academic Press

Soraci, S. A., Jr., Carlin, M. T., Deckner, C. W., & Baumeister, A. A. (1990). Detection of stimulus organization: Evidence of intelligence-related differences. Intelligence, 14, 435-447.

Academic Background

B.A., Wheeling Jesuit College, 1987
M.S., Vanderbilt University, 1990
Ph.D., Vanderbilt University, 1993

Current appointments:

Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, UMMS Medical School, Worcester
Research Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Tufts University

Office: Shriver
Phone: (781) 642-0128
E-mail: Michael.Carlin@umassmed.edu

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