Areas of expertise/research interests

• spatial cognitive development in infancy and early childhood
• temporal development in infancy and early childhood
• assessment of student learning outcomes

Professional Biography

Janette Benson is an associate professor of psychology at the University of Denver, an APA/AAAS congressional science fellow, a Carnegie scholar and a fellow of the Association for Psychological Science.  She served as the Director of the Office of Academic Assessment at the University of Denver as well as co-chaired the University's last successful reaccreditation.  

She has won seven local, state and national awards for excellence in teaching/education, and she has authored and or edited more than 30 books, chapters, and journal articles in the field of infancy and early childhood development.

Benson is a member of the Society for Research in Child Development; American Psychological Association; and Association of Psychological Science.

Education

• PhD, Clark University, 1983

Selected Publications

• Lerner, R.L, & Benson, J.B. (2013).  "Embodiment and Epigenesis: Theoretical and Methodological Issues in Understanding the Role of Biology within the Relational Developmental System." Advances in Child Development, vols.  44-45. San Diego, Calif.:  Academic Press.
• Lerner, R. L., & Benson, J. B. (2013).  Embodiment and epigenesist:  A view of the issues.  In R. L. Lerner, & J.B. Benson (Eds).  (2013). Advances in Child Development and Behavior, vol. 44-45.  Embodiment and Epigenesis:  Theoretical and Methodological Issues in Understanding the Role of Biology Within the Relational Developmental System.  San Diego, CA:  Academic Press.
• Benson, J.B. (Ed). (2012). Advances in Child Development and Behavior, vol. 42.  San Diego, Calif.:  Academic Press
• Xu, F., Kushnir, T. & Benson, J.B. (2012).  "Constructive Realism: New Directions in Cognitive Development."  Advances in Child Development and Behavior, vol. 43. San Diego, Calif.:  Academic Press.
• Benson, J.B. (Ed). (2011).  Advances in Child Development and Behavior, vol. 40.  San Diego, Calif.:  Academic Press.
• Lerner, R.M., Lerner, J.V., & Benson, J.B. (Ed). (2011). "Positive Youth Development:  Research and Applications for Promoting Thriving in Adolescence." Advances in Child Development and Behavior, vol. 41. San Diego, Calif.:  Academic Press.
• Benson, J.B. and Haith, M.M. (2009a). J.B. Benson & M.M. Haith (Eds), Diseases and Disorders in Infancy and Early Childhood. NY:  Elsevier Publishers.
• Benson, J.B. and Haith, M.M. (2009b). J.B. Benson & M.M. Haith (Eds), Language, Memory, and Cognition in Infancy and Early Childhood. NY:  Elsevier Publishers.
• Benson, J.B. and Haith, M.M. (2009c). J.B. Benson & M.M. Haith (Eds), Social and Emotional Development in Infancy and Early Childhood. NY:  Elsevier Publishers.
• Haith, M.M., and Benson, J.B. (2008). M.M. Haith & J.B. Benson (Co-Editors in Chief), Encyclopedia of Infant and Early Childhood Development (3 vol.). NY: Elsevier Publishers.