Our Research
We conduct studies with infants and preschool age children in order to better understand how children learn new words and develop concepts about the world around them. Our studies are non-evaluative and are formatted like games so that children have fun. Parents are with their children at all times and are provided with ample opportunity to ask questions.
The results of our investigations are mailed to interested parents upon completion of the project.
Current Projects
Social Categorization: The Impact of Different Actions on Children's Minimal Group Allegiances
The purpose of this study is to examine the development of social categories. Children view social categories as comprised of people who share behaviours or actions. We are interested in investigating how children think about their own group when that group acts in unexpected ways.
This study is looking for 4 and 7-year-old children to participate in our study!
In this study, we will assign your child randomly to either a “red” or a “yellow” group and show them videos of their group acting either unconventionally, disgustingly, or conventionally. We will then see how these behaviours affect how much your child likes their assigned group.
Free parking will be provided, and your child will receive a t-shirt, prize, and certificate for their valuable contribution to our project.
Join our child database and be automatically notified when your child is eligible for a research study!
If your child is 4, 5 or 7-years-old, and you are interested in participating, please contact child@ucalgary.ca or sign up for our database!
Preschoolers' Social Allegiance
In this study, we are exploring the development of social categories in 4 and 5-year-olds. One way that children develop and use categories is by considering how people interact with one another. We are interested in investigating how children predict which social group an individual might belong to and whether they pay attention to helpful and harmful behaviours.
The study involves your child listening to a story about two different groups of characters and watching the characters interact on the screen. We will then ask your child to point to different objects and characters on the screen.
Research Collaborators
Dr. Craig Chambers, University of Toronto
Dr. Suzanne Curtin, Brock University
Dr. Patricia Ganea, University of Toronto, OISE
Dr. Susan Gelman, University of Michigan
Dr. Annette Henderson, University of Auckland
Dr. Laura Namy, Emory University
Dr. Elizabeth Nilsen, University of Waterloo
Research in the Language and Cognitive Development Lab is supported by the following agencies:
Language and Cognitive Development Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Calgary | AD 221
P: (403) 220-4955 | E: lcdlab@ucalgary.ca | 2500 University Drive N.W., Calgary AB, T2N 1N4