Fall 2011

Experts explore links between risk-taking, brain mechanisms
The Third Biennial Urie Bronfenbrenner Conference, on campus Sept. 22-23, explored the connections between risky decision-making and brain mechanisms.

Study: Mothers can buffer the worst effects of chronic stress on children’s memory
Chronic stress in childhood can damage teen’s working memory, but having a more sensitive, responsive mother provides some protection.

New York’s 4-H program to become more research-based
4-H at Cornell has been relocated to Cornell’s Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research to give the program even stronger connections to research.

Study: Adults can’t tell when children are intentionally lying or misinformed
These findings have implications for physical and sexual abuse investigations, which often rely heavily on children’s eyewitness reports.

Different ages need different risk messages, research finds
From emergency evacuation notices to how many vegetables to eat, people need good information to make good choices.

Cybertools and Sinhala archive will improve analysis of world’s 7,000 languages
A new generation of cybertools and a Sinhala language data archive at Cornell allow researchers to better study language acquisition in children.

Law School and Department of Human Development launch dual degree program
A new program lets students earn law and Ph.D. degrees in six years. A Human Ecology program in psychology and human development complements law studies.

Meet HD’s New Faculty
Please welcome our newest faculty members, Anthony Burrows and Jane Mendle, to the department of human development.

Students in the News

Students head up research and outreach projects across NYS
Four undergraduate students working with faculty in the department of human development spent their summer engaged in everything from teaching teens to playing games with toddlers.