The Child Brain and Perception (CBP) lab conducts research with infants, children, and adults. Our team investigates questions such as how do infants and young children perceive and categorize the world around them? To examine this question and other related questions, our team inspects the way early experiences shapes face processing of differing social classifications like gender and race. Our team is made up of undergraduate and graduate students.
Our Goal:
Our number one goal is that you and your family have a wonderful time interacting with our team and developmental science. We also hope that by participating in a CBP lab project, you will have a chance to learn something new about child development, brain activity, and/or the way people perceive and think about their social environment.
Interested in participating?
If you are interested in participating in one of our studies, directly email us at CBPlab@umn.edu or call 612-625-6518!
If you are interested in learning about other developmental science participation opportunities at the Institute of Child Development go here: https://icd.umn.edu/research/participant-pool/
Different ways we do research:
We use several different methods to answer questions about child development and social information processing.
Behavioral measures – Interactive reaching and crawling activities, watching different types of presentations on computer screens or a puppet show
Eye tracking – We use a computer and camera to record where people are looking on a computer screen. This can tell us a little bit about visual attention and how people direct their attention toward particular events and objects.
Brain activity – We record electrical signals generated from within the brain to characterize how the brain is responding to different images or events. This technique is called EEG and event-related potentials (ERPs). Our participants wear a little hat that is specifically made to pick up electrical signals.
Covid-19
Wearing a mask is currently optional for faculty, staff, and students at the University of Minnesota. It is also optional for families who come to the CBP Lab to participate. If you would like our researchers to wear a mask during the visit, please let us know ahead of time. We take precautionary measures such as disinfection of all surfaces and objects used during the visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long are the studies?
Studies usually take around 1 hour to complete, which includes time for participants to arrive and get settled.
Can I bring my partner or other children along?
Yes! We just ask that you let us know who will all be attending.
Will I be able to join the study with my child?
You will be with your child for the entire visit. We are interested in your child’s answers, so we ask that you do not guide them or prompt them in any way.