Developmental Psychology

A new meta-analysis suggests fast-paced TV does not harm children's attention as often feared. Instead, programs featuring fantastical, unrealistic events appear to deplete cognitive resources, leading to poorer performance on tasks immediately after viewing.

Jean Piaget famously claimed young children lack logical structure. However, our new study reveals that even 4-year-olds can spontaneously generate algorithmic solutions that rival sophisticated computer science strategies.

Intelligence scores fluctuate significantly during childhood, driven more by genetic predisposition than situational factors. A new study suggests that reliable patterns of high cognitive ability typically do not emerge until approximately age 12.

A study finds that women raised in unstable environments often develop impulsive or callous personality traits. These characteristics are linked to a “faster” reproductive strategy, resulting in more sexual partners and earlier sexual debut.

A new study suggests a pattern of spontaneous brain activity acts as an intermediary, connecting adverse childhood experiences with the negative thinking styles found in mood disorders. This may explain how early adversity becomes biologically embedded.

A new analysis of over 10,000 children found that higher screen time is linked to slightly increased ADHD symptoms and reduced cortical thickness in specific brain regions.

The cognitive profiles of gifted children are associated with a mix of parental factors. New research shows how parental intelligence, education, and even personality are tied to distinct intellectual abilities in their children.

A new study reveals that altered activity in the brain's left precuneus mediates the link between childhood trauma and aggression in teens with internet gaming disorder.

A child's behavior around screens—like becoming upset when denied access—is a bigger red flag for mental health than screen time alone, research reveals.

The speed of a child’s neural response to words predicts their reading fluency. Scientists have found a precise way to measure this in individual children.

A mother's early life adversity may leave a biological signature in her breast milk, which in turn appears to be associated with her infant's developing temperament.

Chemical modifications to our DNA shape the developing brain in profound ways. A new study suggests the most dramatic changes happen long before we are born, offering clues to the origins of neurodevelopmental conditions.

A new nationwide study has found that public Montessori preschool programs lead to stronger learning outcomes by the end of kindergarten. The research also reveals that this educational model can be implemented at a significantly lower cost to taxpayers.

How does cannabis use during pregnancy affect the developing brain? A new study in rats explored the role of a key nutrient in brain development, finding that dietary changes could influence some, but not all, of the outcomes associated with...

A new study suggests that when mothers have both depression and ADHD symptoms, their toddlers may face greater emotional and attentional difficulties. This combination appears to present a compounded challenge for early development.