What do we study?
Research in our lab is motivated by three over-arching research questions:
1. What is the developmental significance of early relationships with parents for adjustment across the lifespan?
2. How are experiences within close relationships embodied and how can adversity within such
relationships be overcome?
3. How is the quality of parent-child relationships transmitted across generations?
1. What is the developmental significance of early relationships with parents for adjustment across the lifespan?
2. How are experiences within close relationships embodied and how can adversity within such
relationships be overcome?
3. How is the quality of parent-child relationships transmitted across generations?
What information do we collect?
Each study varies, but generally speaking, we want to understand the following:
Representations of Close Relationships: We are interested in how experiences in close relationships are internalized. To assess this, we might ask you to discuss your early relationships with caregivers and/or ask you to develop narratives about close relationships.
Thoughts and Feelings: We might ask you to respond to survey questions pertaining to your thoughts, feelings, and behavior.
Parenting Behavior: We are interested in the caretaking behavior of parents. To assess this, we might ask you to interact with your child in different contexts (e.g., when playing with your child, when engaging in child care activities).
Child Social and Emotional Adjustment: We are interested in children's social behavior and emotional development. To assess this we might as you to complete questionnaires about your child's behavior and emotions. We are also interested in the quality of children's relationships with parents. To assess this, we might have you and your child complete a separation-reunion procedure.
Brain Activity: We use measures of brain wave activity to provide insight into how people cognitively process and emotionally respond to social cues (e.g., emotional facial expressions). To assess this, we might apply a cap with sensors on the head. The cap is similar to a swim cap. It is not invasive, and it is painless.
Autonomic Physiological Activity: Measures of autonomic physiological activity provide insight into emotional and stress responding. To assess this, we might place apply stickers to the torso and fingers to assess heart rate and sweat. The sensors are similar to stickers or band-aids.
Representations of Close Relationships: We are interested in how experiences in close relationships are internalized. To assess this, we might ask you to discuss your early relationships with caregivers and/or ask you to develop narratives about close relationships.
Thoughts and Feelings: We might ask you to respond to survey questions pertaining to your thoughts, feelings, and behavior.
Parenting Behavior: We are interested in the caretaking behavior of parents. To assess this, we might ask you to interact with your child in different contexts (e.g., when playing with your child, when engaging in child care activities).
Child Social and Emotional Adjustment: We are interested in children's social behavior and emotional development. To assess this we might as you to complete questionnaires about your child's behavior and emotions. We are also interested in the quality of children's relationships with parents. To assess this, we might have you and your child complete a separation-reunion procedure.
Brain Activity: We use measures of brain wave activity to provide insight into how people cognitively process and emotionally respond to social cues (e.g., emotional facial expressions). To assess this, we might apply a cap with sensors on the head. The cap is similar to a swim cap. It is not invasive, and it is painless.
Autonomic Physiological Activity: Measures of autonomic physiological activity provide insight into emotional and stress responding. To assess this, we might place apply stickers to the torso and fingers to assess heart rate and sweat. The sensors are similar to stickers or band-aids.
Are we compensated for participating?
Absolutely! We know your time is valuable, so we provide compensation for your family’s participation. This includes money for completing tasks at each session of the study, as well as small gifts for children.
How do we participate in a study?
We are currently recruiting first-time expectant mothers in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy to participate in a longitudinal study examining how the brain changes over the transition to motherhood. To learn more about how to participate in this study, please complete our contact form.
Address
251 McReynolds Hall
305 S 5th Street
University of Missouri at Columbia
Columbia, MO 65211
305 S 5th Street
University of Missouri at Columbia
Columbia, MO 65211
Directions
From Providence Road, turn east onto Elm street.
Turn right onto 5th Street.
Take the first right into parking lot RC9.
Please park in the “Visitor Parking for Psychology Department” space in the north east corner of the lot.
Upon arriving at the lab, please call the lab at (573) 882-0382.
A research assistant will meet you with a parking pass and escort you to the lab.
Turn right onto 5th Street.
Take the first right into parking lot RC9.
Please park in the “Visitor Parking for Psychology Department” space in the north east corner of the lot.
Upon arriving at the lab, please call the lab at (573) 882-0382.
A research assistant will meet you with a parking pass and escort you to the lab.