Reality Bending Lab

Exploring the neuropsychology of reality and its distortions.

_{We’re a vibrant team led by Dominique Makowski at the University of Sussex in Brighton, UK. We research reality perception, fake news, illusions, fiction, deception, self-control and more, by recording signals from the body (ECG, EDA…) and the brain (EEG). We analyse data using advanced computational modelling (Bayesian stats, chaos theory, mixed models…), and we also develop open-source tools and software to improve neuropsychological science.}

"Do not try to bend the spoon; that's impossible.

Instead, only try to realize the truth...

There is no spoon.

Then you'll see that it is not the spoon that bends, it is only yourself."

Research Themes

Reality bending

What are the mechanisms by which our belief and feeling of reality can be altered?

Core Self

How cognitive abilities unfold into personality traits and metastable neuropsychological profiles?

Metascience

What is the history of psychology and neuropsychiatry? What are the methods and tools of tomorrow?

News

Attractiveness shapes beliefs about whether faces are real or AI-generated, study finds

Our recent paper on facial attractiveness and reality beliefs is in the news.

Dominique Makowski

Jul 7, 2025 1 min read Reality Bending Lab, In the News

Attractiveness shapes beliefs about whether faces are real or AI-generated, study finds

How to collect and save data with DataPipe in OSF

Learn how to set up DataPipe to collect and save data in OSF, including creating an OSF project, linking it to DataPipe, configuring data collection, and saving data from an experiment hosted on GitHub.

Ana Neves

Jul 2, 2025 3 min read Reality Bending Lab, University of Sussex

How to collect and save data with DataPipe in OSF

Sussex Psychological Methods MRes: Tips and Advice

Ola! I’m Ana. The time has come to share my experience of doing a research masters in psychological methods at the University of Sussex

Ana Neves

Mar 19, 2024 6 min read Reality Bending Lab, University of Sussex

Sussex Psychological Methods MRes: Tips and Advice

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The University of Sussex, besides being located in Brighton, the most vibrant and sunniest city in the UK, is also home to one of the strongest and largest psychology department in the country. It is famous for its research on embodied consciousness, with scientists like Anil Seth, Andy Clark, Zoltan Dienes and Hugo Critchley, its teaching of cutting-edge psychological methods (with stats rockstar Andy Field), its history of multidisciplinary research (arts and science), and its radical engagement in open and disruptive science. Join this amazing community now!

The REBEL Team

We pride ourselves with having a vibrant lab life with many students and collaborators a variety of backgrounds and levels, with regular informal events and chats. Consider joining our fantastic team!

Meet all the brilliant REBEL minds →