Colloquium presented by Professor Susan Hespos

You are invited to the School of Psychology April Colloquium presented by Professor Susan Hespos.

• Date: Wednesday, 5th April 2023
• Time: 12pm to 1.30pm
• Location: This event will be held via Webinar

Register via Eventbrite by 4th April to receive the webinar link:
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/sop-april-colloquium-2023-presented-by-professor-susan-hespos-tickets-597447049207(opens in a new window)

Title: Babies are smart: Evidence for early abstract learning

Presentation summary: Human cognition is striking in its brilliance and adaptability. The key to our higher-order cognition may reside in our exceptional analogical ability, which allows us to abstract patterns shared by different objects, events, or ideas.

Cross-species comparisons have shown that, although we are not the only species with analogical ability, humans far outstrip other animals. To gain an understanding of the source of our species extraordinary relational ability, we must investigate young infants, who lack extensive exposure to culture and language. Equally important, we must trace the development of relational ability in early childhood. How do infants’ initial abilities change with experience and what conditions foster or impede the development of analogical cognition?

Bio: Sue is the leader of BabyLab at MARCS. Her research focuses on early conceptual abilities, and how early thinking lays the foundation for adult reasoning. She uses a variety of methods to ask preverbal infants questions and investigates what infants understand about their world. This information sheds light on the basic principles that guide cognition and learning, not only in infants, but throughout the lifespan.Prior to joining MARCS she was a professor at Northwestern University in the United States.  The work from her lab is current featured on a Netflix docuseries call “Babies” (season 2, episode 1).