Research
Redefining Child Psychology
Real world experience blended with the opportunity to transform our field.
Ever wondered how people become who they are? Through our exciting research at the Child's Lab, you can help uncover the answers! As a child researcher, you'll dive into fascinating projects that explore how children learn to navigate the social world. You'll investigate intriguing questions like how socialization practices shape young minds and how kids learn by imitating others. Join us in making groundbreaking discoveries that could change the future of child care!
Application
A please check our requirements and fill out the Lab Application, then email it to Professor Sawa Senzaki.
Credits
You'll typically receive between 1 to 3 credits, with about 9 hours of work per week. We ask that you complete at least 2 semesters.
Deadlines
For the Fall semester, please apply by the end of April. For the Spring semester, please apply by the end of November.
Recent Research Publications
- Senzaki, S., Shimizu, Y. & Ibe, S. (2025) The development of visual attention to the Ebbinghaus illusion across two cultures. Sci Rep 15, 7008 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-90268-w
- Senzaki, S., & Shimizu, Y. (2022). Different types of focus: Caregiver–child interaction and changes in preschool children’s attention in two cultures. Child Development, 93, e348– e356. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.13731 Selected for SRCD media outreach article.
- Senzaki, S., Pott, U., Shinohara, I., & Moriguchi, Y. (2021). Roles of culture and COMT Val58Met gene on neural basis of executive function: A comparison between Japanese and American children. Developmental Psychobiology, 63(5):1053-1060. doi:10.1002/dev.22087.
- Senzaki, S., Shimizu, Y., & Calma-Birling, D.* (2021). The development of temperament and maternal perception of child: A cross-cultural examination in the United States and Japan. Personality and Individual Differences, 170, 110407. doi.10.1016/j.paid.2020.110407
- Senzaki, S., Lanter, J., & Shimizu, Y. (2019). The development of attention to singular vs. plural sets in preschool children: Insights from a cross-linguistic comparison between English and Japanese. Cognitive Development.
- Senzaki, S., Wiebe, S. A., Masuda, T., & Shimizu, Y. (2018). A cross-cultural examination of selective attention in Canada and Japan: The role of social context. Cognitive Development, 48, 32-41. doi:10.1016/j.cogdev.2018.06.005
Ask an Expert
Meet Professor Sawa Senzaki, Director of the Child's Lab. Her research interests lie at the crossroads of cultural, developmental and social psychology. If you have questions about participating in the Child's Lab, she can help!