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Michael Tomasello CV

James F. Bonk Distinguished Professor
Psychology & Neuroscience
Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, 247 Reuben-Cooke Building, Durham, NC 27708
CV

Overview


Major research interests in processes of social cognition, social learning, cooperation, and communication from developmental, comparative, and cultural perspectives. Current theoretical focus on processes of shared intentionality. Empirical research mainly with human children from 1 to 4 years of age and great apes.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


James F. Bonk Distinguished Professor · 2016 - Present Psychology & Neuroscience, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Professor in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience · 2015 - Present Psychology & Neuroscience, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology · 2016 - Present Evolutionary Anthropology, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Professor of Philosophy · 2016 - Present Philosophy, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Professor of Linguistics · 2025 - Present Linguistics, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences

In the News


Published September 12, 2024
New Books by Duke Authors: Exploring Politics, Theology, AI and Basketball
Published February 26, 2024
Meltem Yucel Studies How Gossip Influences Relationships
Published June 28, 2023
New Rankings Place Duke Scholars on Top of the World

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Recent Publications


Agency and Intentionality

Journal Article Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences · April 1, 2025 Nature cannot build organisms biologically prepared for every contingency they might possibly encounter. Instead, nature builds some organisms to function as feedback control systems that pursue goals, make informed behavioral decisions about how best to p ... Full text Cite

Children's developing understanding of social norms.

Journal Article Current opinion in psychology · February 2025 Although children are influenced by social norms from birth, they only begin to understand social norms as such in the three to five year age period. It is at this age that they begin to enforce conformity to social norms on others, even using the normativ ... Full text Cite

In Response.

Journal Article Anesth Analg · December 1, 2024 Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


Cross-Cultural Patterns in the Ontogeny of Cooperation

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Jacobs Foundation · 2016 - 2027

The Impact of Gossip on Children's Feelings of Belongingness

FellowshipSponsor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2023 - 2026

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Education, Training & Certifications


University of Georgia · 1980 Ph.D.
Duke University · 1972 B.A.