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Developmental Psychology

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The Developmental Psychology Research Group at Liverpool Hope University aims to advance our knowledge of how humans develop from early childhood to adulthood. We use a broad range of methods (eg laboratory-based experiments, surveys, interviews, ethnographic, longitudinal designs, cross-cultural studies, etc). The main objective is to understand the cognitive, social, emotional, and behavioural factors that promote positive psychological functioning and wellbeing across different populations (eg typically developing children, adolescents, and adults, as well as those with developmental disorders or mental health conditions).

The Developmental Psychology Research Group joins together psychologists, stakeholders, practitioners, policy-makers, with young people and families to advance our understanding of the important issues in their lives. We focus on cognitive (learning, language and literacy), social (environment, relationships) and emotional (mood, regulation, motivation) approaches to translate the factors that promote good psychological functioning and wellbeing across different populations and contexts.

Our research projects actively engage with children growing up in the Liverpool region which is one of the most socioeconomically diverse areas of the UK. We use a broad range of methods including, surveys, interviews, experiments, ethnographic, longitudinal designs, cross-cultural studies.

In addition to carrying out research, we engage in consultancy activities, which include evaluations of treatment and intervention programmes, as well as workshops in schools and with families in the community.

If you would like to enquire more about the work of the Developmental Psychology team please contact:

Dr Lorna Bourke

Developmental Psychology Research Group Leader

E: bourkel@hope.ac.uk

T: 0151 291 3077