Infant Research Group

What do we study?
  • We study what infants know about the world around them and how family relationships impact development. For example, do infants understand social interactions? Do infants’ relationships with parents shape their thinking and their ability to manage emotions?
What's involved in participation?
  • There are a variety of study options available!
    • One-time, 30-minute visits to the lab where infants (2-24months) watch events on a puppet stage.
    • Multiple visits to the lab where you play and interact with your baby (starting prenatally).
  • All studies take place on the MU Campus with parking provided.
  • Visits are scheduled at your convenience, including evening and weekend times.
Is compensation provided?
  • We provide monetary compensation for your time! If you are traveling from a distance to participate, you may be eligible for travel reimbursement.
What is the societal benefit of participation?
  • We study what infants know about the world around them and how family relationships impact development. For example, do infants understand social interactions? Do infants’ relationships with parents shape their thinking and their ability to manage emotions?
How to participate?

Complete the interest form.

How to contact us?

You can email us at babylab@missouri.edu

Call us at 573-882-6683

 


 

Attachment, Cognition, and Emotion Study

What do we study?

This study examines the legacy of early experiences as indexed via adult attachment representations for adults' neurocognitive processing of emotional facial expressions prior to becoming a parent in a sample of Black/African Americans and White/European Americans. 

What's involved in participation?

Participation involves completing online questionnaires (about 1 hour) and one visit to the lab (2 hours). During the lab visit, participants complete an interview, and their brain activity is monitored while they view images of infant and adult faces. 

Is compensation provided?

Participants will receive a $50 gift card. Participants may also be eligible to receive a $100 gift card to a local hair salon.

How to participate?

Check out the Family and Child Development Lab page to learn more.

 


 

MU Friends and Texting Study

What do we study?
  • A research study on friendship, texting, and well-being with high school-aged teens.
What's involved in participation?
  • You and your friend visiting our research lab for surveys & a short activity to do with your friend (60 minutes).
  • Text messaging your friend as usual for 2 weeks.
  • Coming to the research lab 2 weeks later and securely sharing text messages between you and your close friend (30 minutes)
  • You and your friend completing brief surveys online 6 months later (30 minutes).
Eligibility?
  • You are a current or rising 9th-12th grader.
  • You have a close same-gender friend who is also a current or rising 9th-12th grader.
  • Teens must own a smartphone and use it regularly to communicate with the participating friend.
Is compensation provided?
  • Both friends will receive $20 per lab visit ($40 total) and can enter to win a $100 gift card by completing an online survey six months later.
How to participate?

Complete the interest form.

How to contact us?

Name: Allie Spiekerman
Email: aspiekerman@missouri.edu
Phone: (650) 703-0929