Remote Social Cognition
Research Study
Researchers at the University of Rochester are studying social cognition in young children through engaging games to understand how they learn about societal structures, relationships, and beliefs, aiming to better support both children’s learning and guidance for parents and adults.
Fast Facts
Parent or Legal Guardian of Children Ages 3-12
Have Access to an Electronic Device to Join a Zoom Meeting
Speak English
Conducted Remotely
Study Background
Researchers at the University of Rochester are exploring how young children develop social understanding through interactive games, aiming to improve support for their learning and guide parents and caregivers.
The Development of Social Cognition study looks at how children learn about the world around them, including relationships, rules, and beliefs. Kids participate in fun, short games lasting 5 to 10 minutes, where they watch cartoons, listen to stories, and answer questions. During Zoom sessions, they can play up to three games, with parents sometimes completing similar tasks for comparison. Parents can sign up their child by filling out an interest form and scheduling a session.
The research aims to better understand how young children develop ideas about social norms and relationships, and how these ideas grow over time. The study helps improve ways to support children’s social development and provides useful insights for parents and caregivers. It also looks at how certain adult social thinking patterns appear in early childhood and how they change across cultures and as children grow.
Study Background
Researchers at the University of Rochester are exploring how young children develop social understanding through interactive games, aiming to improve support for their learning and guide parents and caregivers.
The Development of Social Cognition study looks at how children learn about the world around them, including relationships, rules, and beliefs. Kids participate in fun, short games lasting 5 to 10 minutes, where they watch cartoons, listen to stories, and answer questions. During Zoom sessions, they can play up to three games, with parents sometimes completing similar tasks for comparison. Parents can sign up their child by filling out an interest form and scheduling a session.
The research aims to better understand how young children develop ideas about social norms and relationships, and how these ideas grow over time. The study helps improve ways to support children’s social development and provides useful insights for parents and caregivers. It also looks at how certain adult social thinking patterns appear in early childhood and how they change across cultures and as children grow.
Additional Information
This study is being done to better understand how children develop social knowledge about relationships, rules, and beliefs, and to improve ways to support their social development.
You may qualify for this study if you meet the following criteria.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Parent or legal guardian of children ages 3-12
- Have access to an electronic device to join a Zoom meeting (e.g., computer, laptop, tablet, smartphone)
- Speak English
If you participate in this study, here’s what you can expect:
Enrollment: After signing up, you’ll receive an email with a link to schedule a 45-minute online study session through Microsoft Bookings.
Study Session: The study session will take place over Zoom with a trained researcher, where the researcher will first review and obtain your consent before starting.
Study Games: The researcher will play fun study games with your child, one at a time. These games don’t have right or wrong answers; they just want to hear what your child thinks.
Siblings: If you have more than one child, you can sign them both up for the same session, though each child will participate individually.
Parent Survey: After the session, you’ll be asked to complete a brief 5-minute online survey about the experience at your convenience.
You will receive a $5 e-gift card for each child who participates in the study.
Your child will benefit from online games that are fun and entertaining—designed to be engaging, with activities like watching cartoons and listening to stories—while helping us learn more about how children think about the world around them.
There is no cost for you to participate in our research study.
