The objective of this section of the paper is to demonstrate that you understand and can talk in depth about at least one
specific phenomenon/behavior and empirical study about that behavior. You may choose any study (including those
discussed in class either in lecture or for an assignment), but it is highly suggested to choose a study you feel you
understand well and could identify the methodologies and variables utilized. If you do not have the original scientific
article about the study, you will need to obtain it from the library (citations are at the end of this document). Some of the
following studies are possible; if you choose something outside this list, you must get prior approval:
o Kitty carousel (Held & Hein, visual neural development)
o Monkey fingers (Merzenich & Jenkins, neural development and brain plasticity)
o Esther Thelens disappearing stepping reflex (motor development)
o Karen Adolphs visual cliff (motor development)
o Esther Thelens variable reaching (motor development)
o Janet Werkers native speech perception (speech development)
o Laura Ann Pettitos manual babbling (language development)
o Judy DeLoaches dual representation
o Michael Tomasellos theory of mind
o Renee Baillargeons cognitive understanding
o Eisenberg et al.s aggression study (Differential Susceptibility)
o Belsky & Pluess quality of child care on behavior study (Differential Susceptibility)
In this section, the following information should be covered:
1. Explain the behavior being studied – what is the thing this study is looking at? What do we already know about
this behavior or ability?
2. Explain the study in detail. What is this specific study looking at? What is their hypothesis (in your own words)
and what is their methodology? Give the independent and dependent variables.
3. Explain the findings. Discuss both the raw results (e.g. what groups did better, when did the ability appear), as
well as the general findings and conclusion.
4. Create a take-home message and why these results are important and relevant for a) understanding the behavior at
hand generally, and b) for development and the general population/outside this class.
