Profile
Dr. Klara Austeja Buczel is a cognitive psychologist specializing in how we acquire and update knowledge. Her research focuses on the mechanisms of misinformation processing. She explores the "epistemology of misinformation," specifically looking at how people revise their beliefs and why they are often susceptible to false content. A key area of her work is the "continued influence effect" — the tendency for misinformation to affect our judgment even after it has been corrected.
Her broader research also examines epistemically unwarranted beliefs, such as conspiracy theories, pseudoscience, and paranormal phenomena.
Research Interests
Dr. Buczel's work bridges the gap between cognitive psychology and the philosophy of science. Her current research and theoretical developments include:
- Dynamic Inference Optimization (DIO): A new theoretical model based on dynamic systems theory that explains how the brain manages cognitive resources and "entropy" (disorder) while updating knowledge.
- Cognitive Frameworks: Exploring enactive and dynamic approaches to how the mind functions.
- Scientific Literacy: Investigating the causes of scientific illiteracy and ways to improve science education.
- Experimental Methodology: Using quantitative tools to study the core processes of memory, reasoning, and decision-making.
Selected Publications
Her research has appeared in various high-impact scientific journals, including:
- Memory & Cognition
- PLOS ONE
- Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology
- Archives of Sexual Behavior
Teaching at SWPS University
She teaches courses in Introduction to Psychology, Psychology of Misinformation, Empirical Research, and Psychological Essay Writing. She is also a Master's thesis advisor.