Research — Tangen Lab

AI-Assisted Learning and Cognition

Large language models and adaptive tutoring systems offer promising new ways to enhance learning. We explore how personalised AI feedback can correct misconceptions, deepen understanding, and produce lasting changes in knowledge and beliefs. Our work examines AI-driven dialogue in educational settings—its potential to improve learning, and its implications for critical thinking in an increasingly AI-driven world.

Cognitive Biases and Decision-Making

We study the cognitive biases that shape judgment across domains—from visual biases in forensic science to everyday reasoning errors. Our fingerprint research revealed how contextual information can influence even expert decision-making, challenging assumptions about objectivity. We're now investigating how expertise and cognitive strategies can help overcome biases in areas like financial forecasting, medical diagnosis, and public policy.

Insight Experiences and Belief Formation

We're building a framework to study "Aha!" moments—those sudden realisations that shift understanding and shape beliefs. Expanding on the Eureka heuristic, we examine the depth, "mystical" qualities, and ineffability of insight experiences. We're particularly interested in how these sudden revelations influence beliefs about conspiracy theories and paranormal phenomena, and how understanding these processes can promote critical thinking.

Resilience in High-Stakes Professions

In collaboration with the Queensland Police Service and Queensland Ambulance Service, we study how forensic investigators and first responders maintain well-being despite frequent exposure to traumatic events. Through qualitative interviews, cognitive tasks, and physiological measures, we're identifying the traits and strategies that contribute to resilience—with implications for recruitment, training, and support in high-stress fields.

Publications

Corbett, B. J. & Tangen, J. M. (2026). AI tutors vs. tenacious myths: Evidence from personalised dialogue interventions in education. Computers in Human Behavior, 175, 108828. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2025.108828 PDF
Swaryandini, G., Graham, J., Griffith, S., Grilo, V., Ruzzante, F., Zhang, X., Yeung, S. K., Mangiarulo, M., Basarkod, G., Ng, C., Parker, P., Tangen, J., Saeri, A., Grundy, E., Slattery, P. & Noetel, M. (2025). Systematic review and meta-analysis of educational approaches to reduce cognitive biases among students. Nature Human Behaviour, 9(12), 2510–2538. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-025-02253-y PDF
Searston, R. A., Thompson, M. B., Robson, S. G., & Tangen, J. M. (2025). Beyond minutiae: Inferring missing details from global structure in fingerprints. Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications, 10(3). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41235-025-00610-z PDF
Corbett, B. J., & Tangen, J. M. (2024). Capturing fingerprint expertise with protocol analysis. Applied Cognitive Psychology, 38, e70010. https://doi.org/10.1002/acp.70010 PDF
Corbett, B. J., Tangen, J. M., Searston, R. A., & Thompson, M. B. (2024). The effect of fingerprint expertise on visual short-term memory. Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications, 9(1), 14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41235-024-00539-9 PDF
French, L. A., Tangen, J. M., & Sewell, D. K. (2024). Modelling the impact of single vs. dual presentation on visual discrimination across resolutions. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/17470218241255670 PDF
Martire, K. A., Chin, J. M., Davis, C., Edmond, G., Growns, B., Gorski, S., Kemp, R. I., Lee, Z., Verdon, C. M., Jansen, G., Lang, T., Neal, T. M. S., Searston, R. A., Slocum, J., Summersby, S., Tangen, J. M., Thompson, M. B., Towler, A., Watson, D., Werrett, M. V., Younan, M., & Ballantyne, K. N. (2024). Understanding 'error' in the forensic sciences: A primer. Forensic Science International: Synergy, 8, 100470. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsisyn.2024.100470 PDF
Robson, S. G., Searston, R. A., Thompson, M. B., & Tangen, J. M. (2024). A guide to measuring expert performance in forensic pattern matching. Behavior Research Methods, 56(6), 6223–6247. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13428-024-02354-y PDF
Laukkonen, R. E., Webb, M., Salvi, C., Tangen, J. M., Slagter, H. A., & Schooler, J. W. (2023). Insight and the selection of ideas. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 153, 105363. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105363 PDF
Robson, S. G., & Tangen, J. M. (2023). The invisible 800-pound gorilla: Expertise can increase inattentional blindness. Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications, 8, 33. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41235-023-00486-x PDF
Grimmer, H. J., Tangen, J. M., Freydenzon, A., & Laukkonen, R. E. (2023). The illusion of insight: Detailed warnings reduce but do not prevent false "Aha!" moments. Cognition & Emotion. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699931.2023.2187352 PDF
Ribeiro, G., McKimmie, B. M., & Tangen, J. M. (2022). Diagnostic information produces better calibrated judgements about forensic comparison evidence than likelihood ratios. Journal of Applied Research in Memory and Cognition. https://doi.org/10.1037/mac0000062 PDF
Robson, S. G., Tangen, J. M., & Searston, R. A. (2022). Specific versus varied practice in perceptual expertise training. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 48(12), 1336–1346. https://doi.org/10.1037/xhp0001057 PDF
Lee, H. D. H., Tangen, J. M., McKimmie, B. M., & Masser, B. M. (2022). The influence of event order on the narratives jurors construct and tell in cases of rape. Psychology, Crime, & Law. https://doi.org/10.1080/1068316X.2022.2109633 PDF
Grimmer, H. J., Laukkonen, R. E., Freydenzon, A., von Hippel, W., & Tangen, J. M. (2022). Thinking style and psychosis proneness do not predict false insights. Consciousness and Cognition, 104, 103384. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.concog.2022.103384 PDF
Lee, H. D. H., Masser, B. M., Tangen, J. M., & McKimmie, B. M. (2022). The effects of victim testimony order and judicial education on juror decision-making in trials for rape. Psychology, Crime & Law, 30(6), 509–537. https://doi.org/10.1080/1068316X.2022.2099546 PDF
Laukkonen, R. E., Kaveladze, B. T., Protzko, J., Tangen, J. M., & Schooler, J. W. (2022). The ring of truth: Irrelevant insights make worldviews seem true. Scientific Reports, 12(2075). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-05923-3 PDF
Grimmer, H. J., Laukkonen, R. E., Tangen, J. M., & von Hippel, W. (2022). Eliciting false insights with semantic priming. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 7(29), 954–970. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13423-021-02049-x PDF
Robson, S. G., Baum, M. A., Beaudry, J. L., Beitner, J., Brohmer, H., Chin, J. M., Jasko, K., Kouros, C. D., Laukkonen, R. E., Moreau, D., Searston, R. A., Slagter, H. A., Steffens, N. K., Tangen, J. M. & Thomas, A. (2021). Promoting Open Science: A Holistic Approach to Changing Behaviour. Collabra: Psychology, 7(1), 30137. https://doi.org/10.1525/collabra.30137 PDF
Lee, H. D. H., McKimmie, B. M., Masser, B. M., & Tangen, J. M. (2021). Guided by the rape schema: The influence of event order on how jurors evaluate the victim's testimony in cases of rape. Psychology, Crime, & Law. https://doi.org/10.1080/1068316X.2021.1984483 PDF
Laukkonen, R. E., Ingledew, D., Grimmer, H. J., Schooler, J. W., & Tangen, J. M. (2021). Getting a grip on insight: Real-time and embodied Aha experiences predict correct solutions. Cognition and Emotion, 35(5), 918–935. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699931.2021.1908230 PDF
Robson, S. G., Tangen, J. M. & Searston, R. A. (2021). The effect of expertise, target usefulness and image structure on visual search. Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications, 6(16), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41235-021-00282-5 PDF
Ribeiro, G., Tangen, J. M., & McKimmie, B. M. (2020). Does DNA evidence in the form of a likelihood ratio affect perceivers' sensitivity to the strength of a suspect's alibi? Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 27(6), 1325–1332. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13423-020-01784-x PDF
Tangen, J. M., Kent, K. M., & Searston, R. A. (2020). Collective intelligence in fingerprint analysis. Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications, 5(23), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41235-020-00223-8 PDF
Laukkonen, R. E., Kaveladze, B. T., Tangen, J. M., & Schooler, J. W. (2020). The dark side of Eureka: Artificially induced Aha moments make facts feel true. Cognition, 196, 104122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cognition.2019.104122 PDF
Robson, S. G., Searston, R. A., Edmond, G., McCarthy, D. J., & Tangen, J. M. (2020). An expert–novice comparison of feature choice. Applied Cognitive Psychology, 34(5), 984–995. https://doi.org/10.1002/acp.3676 PDF
Searston, R. A., Thompson, M. B., Robson, S. G., Corbett, B. J., Ribeiro, G., Edmond, G., & Tangen, J. M. (2019). Truth and transparency in expertise research. Journal of Expertise, 2(4), 199–209. PDF
Searston, R. A., Thompson, M. B., Vokey, J. R., French, L. A., & Tangen, J. M. (2019). How low can you go? Detecting style in extremely low resolution images. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 45(5), 573–584. https://doi.org/10.1037/xhp0000628 PDF
Ribeiro, G., Tangen, J. M., & McKimmie, B. M. (2019). Beliefs about error rates and human judgment in forensic science. Forensic Science International, 297(1), 138–147. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2019.01.034 PDF
Laukkonen, R. E. & Tangen, J. M. (2018). How to detect insight moments in problem solving experiments. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 282. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00282 PDF
Vokey, J. R., Jamieson, R. K., Tangen, J. M., Searston, R. A., & Allen, S. W. (2018). A visual familiarity account of evidence for orthographic processing in pigeons (Columbia livia): A reply to Scarf, Corballis, Güntürkün, and Colombo (2017). Animal Cognition, 21(3), 425–431. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-018-1166-2 PDF
Searston, R. A., & Tangen, J. M. (2017). The emergence of perceptual expertise with fingerprints over time. Journal of Applied Research in Memory and Cognition, 6(4), 442–451. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jarmac.2017.08.006 PDF
Searston, R. A., & Tangen, J. M. (2017). The style of a stranger: Identification expertise generalizes to coarser level categories. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 24(4), 1324–1329. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13423-016-1211-6 PDF
Searston, R. A., & Tangen, J. M. (2017). Expertise with unfamiliar objects is flexible to changes in task but not changes in class. PLoS ONE, 12(6), e0178403. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0178403 PDF
Searston, R. A., & Tangen, J. M. (2017). Training perceptual experts: Feedback, labels, and contrasts. Canadian Journal of Experimental Psychology/Revue canadienne de psychologie expérimentale, 71(1), 32–39. https://doi.org/10.1037/cep0000124 PDF
Edmond, G., Towler, A., Growns, B., Ribeiro, G., Found, B., White, D., Ballantyne, K., Searston, R. A., Thompson, M. B., Tangen, J. M., Kemp, R. I., & Martire, K. (2017). Thinking forensics: Cognitive science for forensic practitioners. Science & Justice, 57(2), 144–154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scijus.2016.11.005 PDF
Laukkonen, R. E., & Tangen, J. M. (2017). Can observing a Necker cube make you more insightful? Consciousness and Cognition, 48, 198–211. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.concog.2016.11.011 PDF
Edmond, G., Found, B., Martire, K., Ballantyne, K., Hamer, D., Hibbert, B., Ligertwood, A., Porter, G., San Roque, M., Searston, R., Tangen, J. M., Dioso-Villa, R., Ligertwood, A., Hibbert, B., White, D., Ribeiro, G., Porter, G., Towler, A., & Roberts, A. (2016). Model forensic science. Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences, 48(5), 496–537. https://doi.org/10.1080/00450618.2015.1128969 PDF
Searston, R. A., Tangen, J. M., & Eva, K. W. (2015). Putting bias into context: The role of familiarity in identification. Law and Human Behavior, 40(1), 50–64. https://doi.org/10.1037/lhb0000154 PDF
Thompson, M. B. & Tangen, J. M. (2014). The nature of expertise in fingerprint matching: Experts can do a lot with a little. PLoS ONE, 9(12), e114759. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0114759 PDF
Edmond, G., Martire, K., Found, B., Kemp, R., Hamer, D., Hibbert, B., Ligertwood, A., Porter, G., San Roque, M., Searston, R., Tangen, J., Thompson, M., White, D. (2014). How to cross-examine forensic scientists: A guide for lawyers. Australian Bar Review, 39, 174–197. PDF
Edmond, G., Tangen, J. M., Searston, R. A., & Dror, I. E. (2014). Contextual bias and cross-contamination in the forensic sciences: The corrosive implications for investigations, plea bargains, trials and appeals. Law, Probability & Risk, 14(1), 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1093/lpr/mgu018 PDF
Thompson, M. B. & Tangen, J. M. (2014). Generalization in fingerprint matching experiments. Science & Justice, 54(5), 391–392. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scijus.2014.06.008 PDF
Thompson, M. B., Tangen, J. M., & Searston, R. A. (2014). Understanding expertise and non-analytic cognition in fingerprint discriminations made by humans. Frontiers in Psychology, 5, 737. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00737 PDF
Edmond, G., Thompson, M. B., & Tangen, J. M. (2014). A guide to interpreting forensic testimony: Scientific approaches to fingerprint evidence. Law, Probability and Risk, 13(1), 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1093/lpr/mgt011 PDF
Thompson, M. B., Tangen, J. M., & McCarthy, D. J. (2014). Human matching performance of genuine crime scene latent fingerprints. Law and Human Behavior, 38(1), 84–93. https://doi.org/10.1037/lhb0000051 PDF
Thompson, M. B., Tangen, J. M., & McCarthy D. J. (2013). Expertise in fingerprint identification. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 58(6), 1519–1530. https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.12203 PDF
Tangen, J. M. (2013). Identification personified. Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences, 45(3), 315–322. https://doi.org/10.1080/00450618.2013.782339 PDF
Wu, W., Moreno, A. M., Tangen, J. M., & Reinhard, J. (2013). Honeybees can discriminate between Monet and Picasso paintings. Journal of Comparative Physiology A: Neuroethology, Sensory, Neural, and Behavioral Physiology, 199(1), 45–55. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-012-0767-5 PDF
Tangen, J. M., Thompson, M. B., & McCarthy, D. J. (2011). Identifying fingerprint expertise. Psychological Science, 22(8), 995–997. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797611414729 PDF
Tangen, J. M., Murphy, S. C., & Thompson, M. B. (2011). Flashed face distortion effect: Grotesque faces from relative spaces. Perception, 40(5), 628–630. https://doi.org/10.1068/p6968 PDF
Tangen, J. M., Constable, M. D., Durrant, E., Teeter, C., Beston, B. R., & Kim, J. A. (2011). The role of interest and images in slideware presentations. Computers & Education, 56(3), 865–872. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2010.10.028 PDF
Humphreys, M. S., Tangen, J. M., Cornwell, T. B., Quinn, E. A., & Murray, K. L. (2010). Unintended effects of memory on decision making: A breakdown in access control. Journal of Memory and Language, 63(3), 400–415. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jml.2010.06.006 PDF