About
Ian Apperly is a cognitive psychologist, and his main research interest is in “mindreading” – the ability to take other people’s perspectives. He is the author of a recent book entitled “Mindreaders: The cognitive basis of theory of mind”.
Qualifications
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BA, University of Cambridge
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Ph.D., University of Birmingham
Biography
Ian Apperly attended Ivybridge Community College in Devon, studied Natural Sciences at St John’s College, Cambridge, and came to Birmingham in 1995 to study for his Ph.D. with Liz Robinson.
Teaching
His research interests inform Ian Apperly’s teaching, which includes a Second Year module on Cognitive Development, and part of a Final Year module on Higher Cognitive Functions.
Postgraduate supervision
PhD students in the lab work on all topics related to Ian Apperly’s research interests, and students interested in joining the lab should email Ian in the first instance. Further information about current and past PhD students is available here: http://www.ianapperly.eclipse.co.uk/PhD.htm
Research
The research focus of Ian Apperly’s group is on the processes involved in “higher cognitive functions”, such as mindreading, self-control and mental flexibility. The work of students and postdocs in the group usually varies in its emphasis on developmental, cognitive or neuroscientific methods, and often involves collaboration with other colleagues in the School of Psychology.
More information can be found here:
http://www.ianapperly.eclipse.co.uk/index.htm
Other activities
Ian Apperly has received early career prizes from the British Psychological Society and the Experimental Psychological Society. He is an action editor for the British Journal of Psychology, and sits on the committee of the European Society for Philosophy and Psychology, and on the Psychology committee of the British Science Association.
http://www.ianapperly.eclipse.co.uk/honours.htm
Publications
Apperly, I.A. (2010). Mindreaders: the cognitive basis of “theory of mind”. Hove: Psychology Press / Taylor & Francis Group.
Apperly, I.A. & Butterfill, S.A, (2009). Do humans have two systems to track beliefs and belief-like states? Psychological Review, 116(4), 953-970.
Apperly, I.A., Samson, D., & Humphreys, G.W. (2009). Studies of adults can inform accounts of theory of mind development. Developmental Psychology, 45(1), 190-201.
Apperly, I.A., Samson, D., & Humphreys, G.W. (2005). Domain-specificity and theory of mind: Evaluating evidence from neuropsychology. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 9(12), 572-577.
A full list of Ian Apperly’s publications can be found here:
http://www.ianapperly.eclipse.co.uk/publications.htm