Research Assistant in the Social Origins Lab (Cooperation and Social Reasoning in Children)
Jan Engelmann, Professor
Psychology
Applications for Spring 2026 are closed for this project.
To apply, please fill out this Google form:
https://forms.gle/P3za6Er1XdTCzJN88
We address questions about the evolution and development of socio-cognitive skills by comparing humans to other animals (mostly chimpanzees, our closest living relatives) and by studying how children develop.
How do children reason? How strongly is reasoning embedded in social, cognitive processes? The goal of this project is to investigate how children’s tendencies for reasoning and cooperation inform one another. We aim to understand how the interplay of these processes develops and how these behaviors differ from non-human primates. The subset of ongoing developmental studies involved in this project focus on children's reasoning, beliefs, and interactions with others.
Research assistants will be hired to work on one of these studies and may additionally help with the comparative research. Please visit our website for recent publications and more information on our work.
Specific ongoing studies:
1. Social Rationality: how do peer's decisions affect our own? do kids follow what their partners do? This study works with 3-year-olds in a partner choosing game and was also recently run with chimpanzees!
2. Source Claim Accountability: how do children assign fault? does the bearer of bad news always get the blame? This study works with 4-8 year olds in a box choosing paradigm with several actors involved.
3. Causal Learning: How do children learn causal cause and effect? Has this ability evolved over time? This new study works with 2-4 year olds with a "prize machine", examining how they may seek for explanations while playing. It is also currently being run with chimpanzees!
4. ...and more! There are also other developing projects that you may work on.
TO APPLY, PLEASE FILL OUT THE GOOGLE FORM LINKED AS WELL AS SUBMITTING YOUR URAP APPLICATION.
Role: Research assistants will be involved in data collection, coding video data, participant recruitment, and assisting with administrative tasks. Students should expect to be heavily involved in multiple aspects of the research projects and gain a well-rounded understanding of the research process.
Qualifications: Students must be reliable, dedicated, and have strong communication skills.
Students are expected to be able to work independently to meet project deadlines.
Must have a desire to work with children and be comfortable interacting with children (previous experience with children a plus)
Must be able to travel to research sites (schools, parks, museums).
Weekend work is often required.
Required time commitment is approximately 9hrs/wk for at least two semesters.
Day-to-day supervisor for this project: Harriet Caplin, Staff Researcher
Hours: 9-11 hrs
Off-Campus Research Site: Off-Campus Research Site: This project will take place both on and off campus. The Social Origins Lab is based in Berkeley Way West, but data collection will take place at local schools. Ability to drive is preferred.
Related website: https://socialoriginslab.com
Related website: https://forms.gle/P3za6Er1XdTCzJN88