Curriculum Vita

Research Interests:

My research represents an integrative approach to cognitive development that emphasizes the cognitive, social, and emotional areas of intellectual growth as they occur within the family context. Although these areas of development are ordinarily examined separately, they inform and influence one another over the course of psychological growth. Theoretically, my approach to this topic stems from a sociocultural perspective in which children's participation in social and cultural activities, in particular collaboration with more skilled partners within the zone of proximal development, is considered important for the development of complex cognitive skills. In my research I use a multi-method approach involving structured observation, microanalysis, and survey methods to examine the social and cultural context of the development of planning skills. Planning involves the anticipation, delineation, and organization of actions aimed at achieving a goal. The ability to plan is essential to mature functioning, and it becomes increasingly important throughout development as children become more autonomous in choosing and regulating their own activities.

The sociocultural view suggests that the development of complex cognitive skills, like planning, benefit from the assistance of adults, such as parents, who often assume some of the more difficult components during joint planning and model planning behaviors for children. Such processes facilitate learning by allowing children to participate in thought and action in ways they would not be capable when working alone. I have examined several influences on the development of planning skills, including how aspects of the social context, such as individual characteristics of the child that influence social interaction, cultural beliefs, and parenting practices relate to opportunities for children to develop these skills when they collaborate with others.