The research program in Developmental Cognitive Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience, and Psychobiology develops and supports research that identifies linkages among developing brain, behavior, and genes. Of particular interest are studies that focus on developmental pathways leading to normal and atypical brain development and behaviors and their underlying developmental mechanisms at the molecular, genetic, cellular and network levels. In addition, the program supports research that identifies biological and behavioral indices of individual differences predictive of performance in sensory, motor, linguistic, cognitive, and social behavioral domains at different points of development. This program also supports research training in developmental psychobiology, behavioral genetics, and developmental cognitive neuroscience. Areas of emphasis include both human and animal model studies assessing neuroanatomical, neurofunctional, electrophysiological and neurochemical correlates of attention and attention deficits, perception, sensation, sensori-motor function, memory, learning, problem-solving, and socio-emotional behavior. Research examining the influence of genetic-environmental interaction factors on temperament, learning, cognition, and social and group behavior in the developing organism is encouraged. Also of importance is research investigating the effect of hormonal influences on behavioral development. In this domain, the emphasis is on the development of gender-specific behaviors, the role of endocrines in social, emotional, and cognitive development, and the interaction of hormones and stress-related behaviors during development.

Cognitive Development. Areas of focus include attention, memory, conceptual knowledge and its formation, learning, reasoning, decision-making, problem-solving, executive functioning, principles and mechanisms of development, intelligence, action, and motor control. Social cognition, including culturally based beliefs and social schemata and representations, is another area of investigative interest.

Developmental Behavioral Neuroscience. Studies focus on brain/behavior relationships in the developing organism. Populations of interest include both human and animal models but exclude populations with mental retardation, autism, fragile X, Rett Syndrome, or head trauma-induced impairment. Studies assessing neuroanatomical, neurofunctional, electrophysiological and neurochemical correlates of attention and attention deficits, perception, sensation, sensori-motor, memory, learning, problem-solving, and socio-emotional relations and genetic bases of brain/behavior relations are of particular interest.

Developmental Behavioral Genetics. Studies of the interrelation of genetics, environment, and behavior and its implications for health and normal human development are supported. Examples include examination of the influence of genetic-environmental interaction factors on temperament, learning, cognition, and social and group behavior in the developing organism. Studies of populations with mental retardation, specific developmental disabilities (e.g., fragile X syndrome, Rett Syndrome), or autism are not included in this program. Comparative experimental analyses of differences both within and between species in adaptive behaviors are of interest.

Developmental Behavioral Endocrinology. Studies include the effect of hormonal influences on behavioral development. Emphasis is on the development of gender-specific behaviors, the role of endocrines in social, emotional, and cognitive development, and the interaction of hormones and stress-related behaviors during development. The Endocrinology, Nutrition, & Growth Branch of the NICHD also has interests in these research areas.behavior are supported. Studies investigating fetal behavior and learning as well as studies investigating hormonal influences on brain/behavior.