CEB W.I.P. Seminar - Examining individual differences in the development of cognitive skills

Location: Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, Seminar Room 515, L5, 207 Bouverie Street, CARLTON VIC 3053

Guest Speaker: Callie W. Little, PhD
University of New England,  Faculty of Medicine and Health

Bio: The primary focus of my research involves understanding individual differences in learning and achievement outcomes. Mapping out what these differences look like, determining their sources, and testing how each can be manipulated serves to enrich efforts towards improving cognition, learning, and achievement during vital developmental time periods. My work involves the application of quantitative genetic analyses, meta-analytic methods, geo-coding, and developmental modeling of changes in skills over time.


Abstract: I will present a series of studies utilizing these methods, which addressed several significant questions within the combined fields of quantitative genetics, education, and psychology: 1) What are the broad influences that nature and nurture contribute to achievement?  2) Do the magnitudes of these influences differ across the continuum of ability?  3) How do how molar environmental factors, such as neighborhood characteristics, affect development? Additionally, I will discuss the implications and future directions for my research, and share ideas on how to extend these methods to other critical outcomes.