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
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 CiteChildren'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 CiteIn Response.
Journal Article Anesth Analg · December 1, 2024 Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Cross-Cultural Patterns in the Ontogeny of Cooperation
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Jacobs Foundation · 2016 - 2027Humilities Across Cultures: Do Children in China and the U.S. Value Intellectual Humility for Moral and Epistemic Beliefs?
ResearchCollaborator · Awarded by John Templeton Foundation · 2024 - 2026The Impact of Gossip on Children's Feelings of Belongingness
FellowshipSponsor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2023 - 2026View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
University of Georgia ·
1980
Ph.D.
Duke University ·
1972
B.A.