The Team
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Dr. Tamar Kushnir is a Professor in the Department of Psychology & Neuroscience at Duke University, and the director of the Early Childhood Cognition Laboratory. She received her M.A. in Statistics and Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology from the University of California, Berkeley, and was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Michigan, and was previously on the faculty in the Department of Human Development at Cornell University. Kushnir's research examines learning and conceptual change in young children with a focus on social learning and social cognition. Her work is motivated by a long-standing curiosity about the developing mind, and in particular by how children learn about themselves and others from actively exploring the world around them. Research topics include: mechanisms of causal learning, the developmental origins of our beliefs in free will and agency, cultural influences on early social and moral beliefs, normative reasoning, and epistemic trust, and the role of imagination in social cognition, motivation and decision making.
LAB STAFF
POST DOCTORAL FELLOW
Hi! My name is Eleanor and I am a recent graduate of Princeton University. I am interested in a variety of developmental topics, including child language development (specifically in atypical child populations) as well as how social environments shape children’s decision making. Broadly, I am also interested in how psychology can inform behavioral changes necessary to achieve environmental sustainability. I am excited to explore new areas of research as the new ECC lab manager!
Hi! My name is Eleanor and I am a recent graduate of Princeton University. I am interested in a variety of developmental topics, including child language development (specifically in atypical child populations) as well as how social environments shape children’s decision making. Broadly, I am also interested in how psychology can inform behavioral changes necessary to achieve environmental sustainability. I am excited to explore new areas of research as the new ECC lab manager!
Hi! I’m a cognitive scientist working with Dr. Tamar Kushnir at Duke and Dr. Tao Gao at UCLA. I am interested in the unique minds that underlie human rationality and intelligence. I draw insights and methods from philosophy, psychology (cognitive, social, and developmental), and artificial intelligence to explore the nature and origins of human intentional actions and agency. My current research focuses on the social-cognitive mechanisms of intention and commitment. When my mind wanders, I love reading novels, visiting cafés, and playing with my cat, Piggy!
GRADUATE STUDENTS
Hello! I am a first-year student working under Dr. Tamar Kushnir and Dr. Michael Tomasello. From my years as a philosophy student and elementary school teacher, I’ve become interested in early conceptions of moral obligation - emphasizing the social factors on children’s moral decision making and judgments. My hope is to conduct research that is relevant and engaging for parents and educators particularly, and plan on getting involved with groups to promote effective science communication to the broader community. In my downtime, I love tending to my plants, adding to my rock collection, and reading 19th century British satire.
Hello! I am a first-year student working under Dr. Tamar Kushnir and Dr. Michael Tomasello. From my years as a philosophy student and elementary school teacher, I’ve become interested in early conceptions of moral obligation - emphasizing the social factors on children’s moral decision making and judgments. My hope is to conduct research that is relevant and engaging for parents and educators particularly, and plan on getting involved with groups to promote effective science communication to the broader community. In my downtime, I love tending to my plants, adding to my rock collection, and reading 19th century British satire.
Hello! I am a first-year student working under Dr. Tamar Kushnir and Dr. Michael Tomasello. From my years as a philosophy student and elementary school teacher, I’ve become interested in early conceptions of moral obligation - emphasizing the social factors on children’s moral decision making and judgments. My hope is to conduct research that is relevant and engaging for parents and educators particularly, and plan on getting involved with groups to promote effective science communication to the broader community. In my downtime, I love tending to my plants, adding to my rock collection, and reading 19th century British satire.
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHERS
Hi I am Camila! I am a junior from Miami, Florida double majoring in Computer Science and Psychology. I am interested in the intersection of artificial intelligence with children’s development and education, particularly how technology can be designed to support language, learning, and social growth. In my free time, I enjoy running, drawing, playing tennis, and reading.
Hi! My name is Remy, and I am a senior studying Psychology and Markets and Management Studies. I am particularly interested in how children’s development impacts their motivation, and I hope to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology in the future. In my free time, I love to read new books, cook fun meals, play hockey, and wakesurf.
Hi, my name is Collin and I am a senior from Durham, North Carolina studying psychology. In the ECC lab, I am interested in children's social reasoning with peers and technology. After graduating, I intend on pursuing a PhD in school psychology. Outside of the lab, I enjoy playing guitar, hiking, and going to Duke basketball games!
Hello! My name is Bryce, and I am a rising senior majoring in Psychology with minors in Global Health and Education, originally from Lexington, Kentucky. I am interested in the intersections of psychology and education, particularly for children, and how those fields can work together to improve health outcomes. On campus I am involved in the Black Student Alliance, Duke Street Medicine Hip Hop Dance Team, and the Lambda Omega Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. In my free time I like to read, exercise, and watch new TV shows.
Hi! My name is Aaron, and I'm a current sophomore double majoring in Psychology and English on the pre-med track. I'm interested in identity and moral development, especially in how culture mediates our relationship with rules and our sense of self. Outside of the lab, I'm on the hunt for the best bagel shop in the U.S.
Hi, I'm Jenn! I’m currently a sophomore at Duke, majoring in Biology and Psychology. I've always loved working with children, whether that be as a summer camp counsellor or a research assistant; I am especially interested by how culture and environment affects child development. When I have the time, I love skiing, singing, or playing video games :>
Hi, I am Olivia! I am a sophomore at Duke studying neuroscience on the pre-med track. I really enjoy working with kids and am super excited to do so in the ECC lab! Outside of academics, I love to dance, travel, and spend time with my family.
Hi! My name is Justine and I am originally from Philadelphia, PA. I am a junior majoring in Psychology with a minor in Visual Media Studies. I joined the ECC lab to further explore my interests in child psychology and research. Outside of the lab, I am on the Duke Women's Rowing team, love going to hot yoga, and trying new restaurants!
Hello! I am in my final year as a psychology master's student at Istanbul 29 Mayıs University. I also obtained my bachelor's degree with high honors in the same department in 2022. I am participating in the ECC Lab virtually from Türkiye. I'm really excited about this! My research interest is children's motivations for moral decision-making. Outside the laboratory, I like to go for long-distance walks.
Hi! My name is Riley and I am a Junior from Jupiter, Florida planning to double major in Psychology and Economics. I am especially interested in the impact of resilience skills, with a particular focus on how early learning of these skills and supportive environments can promote long-term mental health. In my free time I like running, trying new foods, yoga, and traveling.
Hi, I’m Caroline! I am a first-year student at Duke, intending to study psychology on the pre-med track. I joined the ECC lab to combine my passion for research and working with children; I am eager to learn how kids are shaped into the wonderful humans they are through their decision-making and ideas! In my free time, I enjoy playing the piano, attending concerts, and exploring the best local restaurants.
Hi, I'm Leah! I am a freshman intending to major in Psychology with a Child Policy Research certificate. I am also on the pre-med track and hope to pursue child and adolescent psychiatry in the future. In the ECC Lab, I am excited to specifically investigate moral development and decision-making in young children in the context of how anti-normative behavior develops. Outside of the lab, I love taking food trips, watching movies, and going out with family and friends!