Women are underrepresented in STEM careers. A new publication in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) reveals that gendered stereotypes about these fields may be an early childhood contributor to this underrepresentation. I-LABS researchers found that many children as young as six already believe that boys are more interested in computer science and engineering than girls. This belief … Read More
Early Learning Nation Interview on Dual MEG Research
11/29/22 – Early Learning Nation Interview I-LABS co-Director Patricia Kuhl on Dual MEG Research.First-Ever Study Provides High-Tech Window on Mother-Child Brain Synchrony. I-LABS Collaborates with Japanese and Taiwanese Brain Scientists. Read the article here.
Opinion: the culture around Computer Science, Engineering excludes women and girls
Scientific American piece argues for changing the male-oriented culture of these fields How can we address the gender imbalance of those receiving computer science and engineering degrees? Understand how the cultures of these fields dissuade many women and young girls from becoming interested in this work. So argues Andrew Meltzoff of I-LABS, and his colleagues Sapna Cheryan (University of Washington) and … Read More
KC Lee comments on the soundscape experienced by pioneers
Auditory soundscape experienced by American pioneers may have contributed to mental health issues I-LABS faculty member and auditory neuroscientist Adrian KC Lee offers scientific rationale behind a new account of early settlers and the silence surrounding them in the vast landscape. This article describes the incidence of “prairie madness” among rural farm families in the Great Plains. Read the article here.
Chantel Prat to discuss her new book at Elliott Bay Books on Aug 3
Chantel Prat, who will be presenting her new book, The Neuroscience of You, at Elliott Bay Book company next week in conversation with Jevin West, author of Calling Bullshit, to celebrate the book’s launch. https://www.elliottbaybook.com/event/chantel-prat-jevin-west CSPAN Book TV will be filming the event. Chantel’s book has been nominated as a finalist for The Next Big Idea Club. From this list, … Read More
I-LABS co-Director Andrew Meltzoff weighs in on the question “What’s Your Challenge to American Dads?”
In time for Father’s Day, a group of thoughtful leaders were asked to respond to the prompt “what’s your challenge to American dads?”. The answers are inspiring. See what Dr. Andrew Meltzoff said (hint: imitation). This article from Early Learning Nation also includes a short video of his research. Read the article
Babies act altruistically – when they know you need help
I-LABS researchers wanted to test whether human infants were able to act beyond self-interest, when faced with one of the most fundamental biological needs: food. Dr. Rodolfo Cortes Barragan’s work on the roots of altruism in children is featured in this article by Early Learning Nation, a magazine devoted to early learning, the science of the developing brain, and more. … Read More
Latinx Fathers Use Parentese
Research from I-LABS’ Dr. Naja Ferjan Ramirez shows that Latinx fathers are quite skilled at using parentese to help their children’s language development. This is true despite the fact that the dads in the study were not taught how to use parentese. The slower speech, exaggerated tones, and higher pitch just came naturally. Read about the research in Early Learning … Read More
I-LABS Research Sheds Light on Teen Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19
I-LABS researchers Dr. Andrew Meltzoff and Makeda Mayes, together with their colleagues at UW and Harvard University, have co-authored a new study on teen mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study provides important insights about how adolescents are coping with the COVID crisis and how families can promote resilience in teens and pre-teens. This research indicates that high exposure to … Read More
The National Academies are Working to Disrupt Implicit Bias
Implicit bias can lead to structural inequities in education, medicine, employment, and the justice system. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recently convened a multi-disciplinary group of experts to develop strategies for disrupting this process. I-LABS has been working on these issues, so I-LABS co-Director Andrew Meltzoff was well positioned to speak to the National Academies audience about … Read More