University of Michigan Conceptual Development Lab

02/13/2020

It's that time of the year! The Conceptual Development Lab Annual Newsletter is out!
Check it out here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fnjlJ0a_nadci2-ADAkLyJrAulmmzSYi/view?usp=sharing

Know someone who has kids who might like to get involved in our research? Have them sign up here: https://umich.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4I9PmS1RI7Rk5CZ

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12/02/2019

Why are bold, broad, and terse depictions of science perceived as more important, robust and generalizable than nuanced ones? In episode 63, Parsing Science talks with our very own Susan Gelman, who discusses her research into the use of generic language in scientific papers.
https://www.parsingscience.org/2019/11/26/susan-gelman/

11/08/2019

We are actively seeking new participants, ages 2-10, to come visit our lab! Please share this post with anyone who might be interested in participating!

For each visit, you will receive $10, free parking, and your child will receive a small prize!

Sign up to participate with us at: https://umich.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4I9PmS1RI7Rk5CZ

11/08/2019

The Child Trends News Service report featuring Dr. Gelman's research on children's food preferences is now a live video recording, check it out!

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Move more, sleep enough, and certainly eat a variety of healthy foods. It’s advice we can all take to heart. But for kids, the earlier they adopt healthy habits, the better. Now new research suggests that when it comes to kids and healthy eating, just talking...

10/25/2019

Due to a technical glitch, it is possible that if you signed up for more information about our studies between March 2018 and October 2019 through the link on our website, your response may not have been recorded.

If you signed up during this time and are still interested in participating, please resubmit your response through our updated link: https://umich.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4I9PmS1RI7Rk5CZ

Thank you for your support of the Conceptual Development Lab!

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10/23/2019

Check out this article, featuring our very own Dr. Susan Gelman!

It’s one thing to put a mix of lean protein, fruits and vegetables on your child’s plate. It’s another to get them to take a bite.

09/25/2019

When we read information-packed articles, what are we most likely to take away? According to DeJesus et al., students are most influenced by statements that use generic language. Some of this data was collected at the Conceptual Development Lab! If you’re interested in learning more about this recent work of Dr. Gelman’s, check out the full article! https://science.sciencemag.org/content/365/6459/1261.4

Full Citation: DeJesus, J. M., Callanan, M. A., Solis, G., & Gelman, S. A. (2019). Generic language in scientific communication. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 116(37), 18370-18377.

Science Writing The data should speak for themselves, but writers want a broad swathe of readers to appreciate the significance of the signal they interpret in complex, noisy data, whereas editors want authors to be both concise and to acknowledge the limitations of the data. Analyzing more than 100...

09/06/2019

Interested in overstatements of scientific findings? Check out this article, featuring our very own Dr. Susan Gelman!

Developmental psychologist Maureen Callanan has coauthored a new paper about researchers' use of "generic language" when they report scientific findings, a tendency that leads to bolder claims that may sacrifice precision.

09/04/2019

Are your beliefs about the mind myths or facts? Check out this article, featuring a quote from Dr. Susan Gelman!

It’s high time we put the most enduring myths about human behavior to bed, and see the mind—and the world—as it is.

09/04/2019

Is your child a spendthrift or a tightwad? Check out coverage of our study in the Wall Street Journal to learn more! A special shout out to Dr. Margaret Echelbarger, Dr. Scott Rick, Dr. Craig Smith and Dr. Susan Gelman.

The unfunny consequences of ‘humorous’ statements that denigrate children

06/06/2019

Dr. Susan Gelman was recently a guest on the Flash Forward Podcast ! Check out the link to listen:

Today we travel to a future where we can swap bodies with one another. Would you trade places with someone? Do you own your body?   Guests: Calvin Gimpelevich —…

05/30/2019

Check out this APA press release on our our article "Maybe They’re Born With It, or Maybe It’s Experience: Toward a Deeper Understanding of the Learning Style Myth,” by Dr. Shaylene Nancekivell, Dr. Priti Shah and Dr. Susan A. Gelman!

Many people, including educators, believe learning styles are set at birth and predict both academic and career success even though there is no scientific evidence to support this common myth.