Developmental

The Developmental Psychology program offers broad training in theory and research in an atmosphere of close interaction between faculty, graduate students, post-doctoral fellows and undergraduate students. We have a strong history and tradition across the department devoted to the study of developmental processes.

Opportunities for training exist in cognitive and social development, with an emphasis on incorporating biological processes. Specific areas of expertise of the Developmental faculty include attention, memory, executive functions, stress, health, child care, parenting, deviance, and the influence of genetic, social and cultural factors.  In addition, several Developmental faculty participate in the Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience (DCN) program and thus offer a cognitive neuroscience perspective in each of the content areas. Developmental students can opt to participate in the DCN program or not, depending on the focus of their interests.

There is a strong focus on research throughout the program, and a long-standing commitment to multidisciplinary research. Developmental research labs are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment for data collection and analysis including high-density electrophysiology (EEG and ERPs), eye-tracking, psychophysiological markers of stress and health, genotyping and video recording and analysis. In addition, cross-area emphases in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience and Developmental Psychopathology, as well as on-going collaborations with scientists at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, National Jewish Medical and Research Center, and the Institute for Behavioral Genetics at the University of Colorado, Boulder provide unique collaborative opportunities for students.

In addition to coursework and research, the developmental program offers opportunities for intellectual and professional development in a variety of formal and informal settings. For example, students, faculty and post-doctoral fellows in the developmental program meet on a regular basis to discuss each other's research. These meetings give students the opportunity to develop their ideas and presentation skills in a supportive environment as well as providing fun intellectual interactions. Developmental students also have the option of participating in other research meetings in the department such as the Neuroscience Research Group, the Cognitive Research Group, and the Stress Research Network. Several of our faculty and students also participate in the Developmental Psychobiology Research Group at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.

Graduates of the Developmental program are well prepared for independent research, scholarship and teaching careers.  For example, all of our graduates from the past 5 years have successfully obtained postdoctoral, research or faculty positions.

Research Groups | Post-doctoral Fellows

Core Faculty

Janette B. Benson

Elysia Poggi Davis
Julia Dmitrieva
Marshall M. Haith (Emeritus)
Susan Harter (Emeritus)
Rob J. Roberts, Jr.
Kelly Snyder
Sarah E. Watamura

Pilyoung Kim

Other Faculty

Anne P. DePrince
Wyndol C. Furman
Janice M. Keenan
Daniel N. McIntosh
Howard J. Markman
Bruce F. Pennington
Stephen R. Shirk
Martha Wadsworth

Research Faculty

Clare Stocker

Research Labs

Child Health & Development Lab
Sarah E. Watamura, Ph.D., Director | 303.871.7774

Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Lab
Kelly Snyder, Ph.D., Director | 303.871.3772

Family
Relationships Study
Clare Stocker, Ph.D., Director | 303.871.3802

Infant and Childhood Research Center
Janette Benson, Ph.D., Director | 303.871.3774

Perception-Action Lab
Rob Roberts, Ph.D., Director | 303.871.3675

University of Denver | Department of Psychology | Frontier Hall, 2155 S. Race St. Denver, CO 80208
303.871.2478 | FAX 303.871.4747

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