Dr. Ruth Tincoff Psychology Associate Professor

I teach courses on developmental and cognitive psychology, general psychology, and psychological science/research methods. My teaching philosophy is borrowed directly from what we have learned about human cognition and development - we are naturally curious information seekers. For students taking classes with me, your curiosity, what you already know, and the work you do with me and other students are all essential parts of your learning.

In my research, I investigate how infants understand words before they can talk. I examine how infants use perceptual and social cues from caregivers to build the beginnings of their comprehension vocabulary. I also examine how caregivers and infants together create dynamic social events (e.g., feeding or dressing routines) that are the ecology for language development. Students are essential collaborators on this research and learn a variety of scientific and practical skills. You can click here to learn more about the Parent & Baby Project.