Rebecca Houston
Associate Professor
Rebecca Houston
Associate Professor
Education
BS, University of Arkansas at Little Rock; MA, Ph.D., University of New Orleans, Louisiana
Bio
Dr. Houston joined the Psychology Department in the Fall of 2016. Prior to that she worked as a Senior Research Scientist at the Research Institute on Addictions, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York. Her postdoctoral work was completed in the Alcohol Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut Health Center.
Dr. Houston’s research focuses broadly on the psychophysiological and neuropsychological underpinnings of impulsivity and aggression, particularly in the context of substance abuse risk and treatment. Primary techniques used in Dr. Houston’s lab include event-related brain potentials (ERPs; derived from the EEG), heart rate variability, biobehavioral assessment (e.g., executive function, attention), structured clinical interviews, and self-report measures of behavior/mood/personality. Recent research has focused on impulsivity as a mechanism of change in alcoholism treatment, the application of heart rate variability biofeedback in alcohol use disordered individuals, influences of partner interactions on self-control, effects of binge drinking and aggression on executive cognitive function, effects of smoking and binge drinking on ERP correlates of impulsivity, effects of mental illness and substance use on intimate partner violence, and a laboratory examination of aggressive and impulsive behavior in athletes vs. non-athletes.
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Currently Teaching
In the News
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August 21, 2023
RIT introduces new neuroscience BS program
RIT is offering a new bachelor’s degree in neuroscience beginning this fall. The Bachelor of Science degree will focus on how the brain works and how to apply that knowledge to develop systems for new frontiers, such as advancing artificial intelligence, combating neurodegenerative diseases, and assisting those with learning disabilities.
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March 22, 2024
Psychology students present research at regional meeting
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April 21, 2023
Horace wins award at psychology conference
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March 31, 2023
Students present psychology research
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August 4, 2022
Houston delivers talk at pain relief speaker series