Yale University · PsychologyThe Primate Dynamics Lab
Steve W. C. Chang · New Haven, Connecticut
Research Focus
Dr. Steve W.C. Chang's lab at Yale University explores the intricate dynamics of social interactions, especially how primates cooperate and compete. Using advanced neural recording techniques and behavioral tracking, the team investigates how different parts of the brain, particularly the prefrontal cortex, help shape our social strategies. The research aims to uncover the underlying neural mechanisms that govern how social relationships and previous experiences influence decision-making in social contexts.
social interactionneural mechanismsprimate behaviorcooperationcompetitionprefrontal cortexdynamic gazecomputational modelingbiobehavioral dataethology
Research Aims
3AIM 01Investigate interaction strategies used by primates in naturalistic settings.
AIM 02Examine neural codes and dynamics in the orbitofrontal and dorsolateral prefrontal cortices during social interactions.
AIM 03Build comprehensive generative models of primate social behavior based on empirical data.
Skills the Lab Values
behavioral trackingneural recordingcomputer modelingdata analysisanimal handlingexperimental designbiobehavioral measurementreinforcement learningsimulation modelingethological assessment
Output against the department
Publications147bottom 49% of dept.151st of 296
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations5.9ktop 49% of dept.145th of 296
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.