Welcome to the Conceptual Development Lab!
The Conceptual Development Lab is directed by Dr. Susan Gelman and is located in the Psychology Department at the University of Michigan.
We conduct research on how children think and learn. The research topics we investigate are children’s cognitive development, category formation and use, causal reasoning, and relationships between language and thought. Most of our studies focus on children between 5 and 12 years of age and are conducted both in-person (at local museums and schools, and in our lab) and online. If you are a parent who is interested in participating, please check out the Parents section for information about our current studies.
If you are interested in signing up to participate in our research — either in person or online –, please fill out this form and our team will be in contact with you shortly!
Currently Recruiting:
What does participation involve?
Participation includes a ~30-minute online video session with your child over Zoom scheduled at your convenience. Your child will earn $5, as a thanks for their participation. Recording is required for participation given the of the study. You will also be given an opportunity to complete a survey on the same topic, if you wish. Note, the parent survey will be shared with you after your child’s completion of the session. Your participation is NOT required for your child to participate. If you decide to participate, you will also earn $5, as a thanks for your participation. Overall, you and your child have the opportunity to earn $10, in total.
How do I get started?
To show your interest in the study, please email us at conceptlab@umich.edu with your child(ren)’s age(s) and we will let you know if you’re eligible.
Rules about Moving to a New Country- Virtual Study
We’re interested in how children think about rules about people moving to a new country. In one session on Zoom, each child who participates will be interviewed by a trained researcher and have an opportunity to share what they know.
Who is eligible?
5-12 year-old children who speak English.
Why participate?
- Fun, interactive session where your child can tell us what they know.
- Opportunity to help researchers learn how children think and develop.
- Participants have the opportunity to receive Amazon gift cards: $5 for the child session, $5 for the parent survey.
Where does the study happen?
All of our studies currently take place over Zoom from your home or other private space of your choosing.
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