Barbara Rutherford
E-mail: Barbara.Rutherford@ubc.ca
Research Interests
What makes a good reader? One factor is that the left hemisphere of the brain is likely to be performing much of the work. However, recent evidence suggests that the right hemisphere does have some reading ability. Yet to be determined just how this ability affects reading efficiency. For instance, does the right hemisphere facilitate, inhibit, or have little effect on the more efficient left hemisphere processing?
My research, which is funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, investigates hemispheric interaction by measuring whether two hemispheres are better, worse, or not different from one. I also map ways in which hemispheric communication is normal or abnormal in people with a reading problem. To date, my findings suggest that competent reading is associated with the gradual shutting down of processing by the right hemisphere, and that this does not consistently happen in people with a reading disability such as dyslexia.
If you are considering graduate school and are interested in research investigating how the hemispheres of the brain interact, you are encouraged to contact me.
Short History
Education:
PhD, (Psychology), University of Auckland, 1997 [Specialization: Cognitive Science]
M.Sc. (Physical Education) University of Alberta, 1978 [Specialization: Human Information Processing]
B.P.E., University of Alberta, 1976 [Minor: Psychology]
Teaching Experience:
- 2005 - present
Psychology Department, UBC Okanagan, Kelowna, B.C. - 1988 - 1996
Psychology Department, Okanagan University College, Kelowna, B.C.
Recent Publications
Rutherford, B.J. (2006). Reading disability and hemispheric interaction on a lexical decision task. Brain and Cognition, 60(1), 55-63.
Rutherford, B.J. & Lutz, K.T. (2004). Conflicting strategies and hemispheric suppression in a lexical decision task. Brain & Cognition, 55(2), 387-391.
Rutherford, B.J. (2003). Laterality and pattern persistence in bistable motion perception. Brain and Cognition, 53(2), 335-341.
Recent Reports
Rutherford, B.J., Malinsky, L., & Turner, A.J. (2007, August). Hubs and healthy children: A Central Okanagan model. Kelowna, B.C.: University of British Columbia.
Recent Conference Presentations
Rutherford, B.J., Brygin, A., & Ludovici, M. M. (2007, June). Interhemispheric interaction: Word-distractor congruency and processing resources in a lexical decision task. Poster presented at the 17th Annual Meeting of Theoretical and Experimental Neuropsychology, Montreal, PQ.
Rutherford, B.J., Ludovici, M.M. & Brygin, A. (2006, July). Interhemispheric communication in lexical decision: A shift from conflict to suppression in a central task. Paper presented at the 16th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Society for Brain, Behaviour, and Cognitive Science. Saskatoon, SK.
Rutherford, B.J., Abernathy, C.A., Brygin, A. & Nicholson, T.R. (2006, June). Training in word decoding and metacognitive strategies for reading: Are there benefits to undergraduate students?. Poster presented at the 67th Annual Convention of the Canadian Psychological Society. Calgary, AB.
Frigon, A.P. & Rutherford, B.J. (2006, June). Comparing recovered and continuous memories: An experimental paradigm. Poster presented at the 67th Annual Convention of the Canadian Psychological Association. Calgary, AB.
Ludovici, M.M. & Rutherford, B.J. (2006, May). Laterality in an ecologically valid lexical decision task. Poster presented at the 8th Annual Northwest Cognition And Memory Conference. Vancouver, B.C.
Ludovici, M.M. & Rutherford, B.J. (2006, February). Interhemispheric communication and reading: An examination of the effects of experience and lexicality of a peripheral stimulus on a lexical decision task . Poster presented at the 2006 SFU Cognitive Issues Conference. Vancouver, B.C.
Rutherford, B. J. (2005, July). Reading disability and interhemispheric communication. Paper presented at the 15th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Society for Brain, Behaviour, and Cognitive Science. Montreal, PQ.
Brygin, A. & Rutherford, B.J. (2005, June). An examination of relationships between the frequency of imagery use in sport, self-rating of image-forming ability, performance on tests of cued recall, and predictive timing. Poster presented at the 2005 Conference of the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity. St. Pete Beach, Florida.
Rutherford, B.J. (2004, June). Inhibitory interaction between the hemispheres in dyslexia on a lexical decision task . Poster presented at the 15th Annual Meeting of Theoretical and Experimental Neuropsychology, Montreal, PQ.
Rutherford, B.J. & Lutz, K.T. (2003, June). Conflicting strategies and hemispheric suppression in a lexical decision task. Poster presented at the 14th Annual Meeting of Theoretical and Experimental Neuropsychology, Montreal , PQ .
Rutherford, B.J. (2002, June). Laterality and pattern persistence in bistable motion perception. Poster presented at the 13th Annual Meeting of Theoretical and Experimental Neuropsychology, Montreal , PQ .
Last reviewed 
3/30/2010 5:21:49 PM
