Faculty and students in the Developmental Psychology concentration are studying social, emotional, and cognitive development across the life span. Areas of study include attachment relationships; sibling and peer relationships; children's understanding of emotions; cultural aspects of young children's development; ethnic identity development; the role policies and programs play in the lives of children, adolescents, older adults, and families; the development of artistic abilities in normal and gifted populations; the acquisition of a theory of mind; the relationship between theory of mind and communication skills; adolescent sexual behavior; mental health in later life. Children from both western and non-western communities are studied.
In addition to the resources in the department, students can also take advantage of the courses and faculty in the Lynch School of Education.
Sara Cordes studies numerical concepts in infants and toddlers.
Michael Moore studies cognitive development and children's participation in organized sports.
Gilda Morelli studies the cultural aspects of young children's development, and the role of policies and programs in family functioning.
Karen Rosen (contact person for this area) studies social and emotional development during infancy and early childhood, parent-child attachment relationships, and sibling relationships.
James Russell studies how children come to understand the emotions, and the nature of their emotional concepts.
Ellen Winner studies the cognitive processes underlying learning in the arts.