Developmental Psychology

Area Adviser: Dr. Lisa Crockett

Nebraska Developmental Psychology Homepage

Developmental psychologists study the catalysts to human growth from conception to the end of the life span, and the graduate program in developmental psychology at UNL focuses on exploring the conditions of children's lives in which development unfolds. Faculty are not only experts in fundamental processes related to infant-parent attachment, cognitive and social development in childhood and adolescence, and the growth of moral reasoning, but are also committed to integrating their knowledge with public policy issues concerning child maltreatment and adolescent risk-taking, cultural processes related to morality and self, and the educational contexts of human development. This research-oriented, multidisciplinary program is a collaborative effort with the faculty in the Department of Educational Psychology at Teachers College and thus students in psychology have a unique opportunity to explore the educational applications of developmental research. Because the developmental program is also strongly allied with the Center on Children, Families and the Law, directed by one of the developmental core faculty (Dr. Brian Wilcox), it provides valuable opportunities to explore the policy implications of developmental research. By integrating basic developmental processes within the fabrics of culture, public policy, and educational processes, our faculty are committed to understanding developing persons and the conditions of their growth, and preparing graduate students for productive careers of research and teaching in this exciting field.

This program is likely to be most valuable to graduate students who wish to pursue scientific careers involving research, teaching, and systematically implementing knowledge of developmental processes. The program is designed to be flexible and tailored to student interests and professional goals. The relatively small size of the program and the broad range of faculty expertise permit a very favorable student-faculty ratio and the development of individualized training involving close working relationships between students and faculty. Faculty areas of research specialty include cognitive, personality, and socio-emotional development, as well as a broad variety of applied issues spanning infancy through the adult years. This program is likely to be especially well-suited to students who are self-directed and committed to a research-oriented graduate experience.

The Department of Psychology offers excellent research facilities, including a Developmental Research Laboratory equipped with a suite of one-way viewing rooms, workrooms, and extensive video and computing resources. Field research opportunities are also available, including the University's Ruth Staples Child Development Laboratory, local preschool and day-care centers, and the public school system. The Department of Educational Psychology offers data analysis consultation through the NEAR (Nebraska Evaluation and Research) Center, and the University has excellent mainframe and micro computing facilities.