Experimenting with Babies

Altruism

New Research Shows Even Hungry Babies Will Share Their Food

Shaun Gallagher on February 4, 2020

Babies will spontaneously share food with hungry strangers, even when they are hungry themselves, according to a new study.

Babies will spontaneously share food with hungry strangers, even when they are hungry themselves, according to a new study.

Child Development

Why We Sometimes Feel Like a Child and an Adult Simultaneously

Shaun Gallagher on February 4, 2020

One theory of self-perception suggests that we experience life not just as the age we are now, but more like the accumulation of all the ages we have been, co-existing together.

One theory of self-perception suggests that we experience life not just as the age we are now, but more like the accumulation of all the ages we have been, co-existing together.

Play

Reduce Power Struggles With Kids by Automating Bad Cop Role

Shaun Gallagher on January 22, 2020

Let your kids' devices play the bad cop, so you can spend more time being a parent.

Let your kids' devices play the bad cop, so you can spend more time being a parent.

Marriage

Pre-Marriage Choices Predict Drops in Sex Satisfaction

Shaun Gallagher on January 14, 2020

A new study reveals different trends of sex frequency and satisfaction among newlyweds depending on the length of their courtship and whether they lived together before marriage.

A new study reveals different trends of sex frequency and satisfaction among newlyweds depending on the length of their courtship and whether they lived together before marriage.

Motivation

No, You're Not Bribing Your Kids

Shaun Gallagher on July 16, 2019

Offering your child an incentive for good behavior isn't a bribe, and you don't need to feel guilty about it. In fact, it can be an important tool.

Offering your child an incentive for good behavior isn't a bribe, and you don't need to feel guilty about it. In fact, it can be an important tool.

Marriage

A Marriage Registry Is More Crucial Than a Wedding Registry

Shaun Gallagher on May 29, 2019

Wedding registries are for stuff. A marriage registry allows friends and family to pledge the support newlyweds need to sustain a happy, lifelong connection.

Wedding registries are for stuff. A marriage registry allows friends and family to pledge the support newlyweds need to sustain a happy, lifelong connection.

Relationships

Try This Interactive Experiment With Your Partner

Shaun Gallagher on May 6, 2019

In this interactive experiment, romantic couples can learn how perceived strengths and weaknesses affect your relationship.

In this interactive experiment, romantic couples can learn how perceived strengths and weaknesses affect your relationship.

Depression

Conducting Sad Experiments on Our Two-Year-Old

Shaun Gallagher on August 28, 2014

On the painful process of food trials, by the author of "Experimenting With Babies"

On the painful process of food trials, by the author of "Experimenting With Babies"

Cognition

Test Your Baby's Built-in Plant Caution

Shaun Gallagher on November 19, 2013

A fascinating new study has shown that babies as young as 8 months old are more reluctant to touch plants than other objects. Here's an experiment, adapted from that study, that you can try on your own baby, with no special equipment needed. Find out more about the science behind the study and what it says about babies' cognitive development.

A fascinating new study has shown that babies as young as 8 months old are more reluctant to touch plants than other objects. Here's an experiment, adapted from that study, that you can try on your own baby, with no special equipment needed. Find out more about the science behind the study and what it says about babies' cognitive development.

Depression

Watch Your Baby Spot a Faker

Shaun Gallagher on October 17, 2013

A fascinating new study has shown that babies as young as 18 months old are able to pick up on unjustified emotional responses. Here's an experiment, adapted from that study, that you can try on your own baby, with no special equipment needed. Find out more about the science behind the study and what it says about babies' social and emotional development.

A fascinating new study has shown that babies as young as 18 months old are able to pick up on unjustified emotional responses. Here's an experiment, adapted from that study, that you can try on your own baby, with no special equipment needed. Find out more about the science behind the study and what it says about babies' social and emotional development.

Child Development

Babies Can Learn Better From TV Than Books

Shaun Gallagher on September 23, 2013

In at least some circumstances, children can learn better from watching TV than they can from spending an equivalent amount of time with a book. A study published in the journal Child Development found that babies were able to perform a three-step action sequence better after watching an instructional video than after having an instructional book read to them.

In at least some circumstances, children can learn better from watching TV than they can from spending an equivalent amount of time with a book. A study published in the journal Child Development found that babies were able to perform a three-step action sequence better after watching an instructional video than after having an instructional book read to them.

Cognition

Help Your Toddler Communicate Unambiguously

Shaun Gallagher on August 27, 2013

A study in the journal Child Development examined how children between ages 2 and 4 learn to uniquely identify objects. Here's an experiment, adapted from that study, that you can try on your own toddler, with no special equipment needed. Find out more about the science behind the study and what it says about children's cognitive and language development.

A study in the journal Child Development examined how children between ages 2 and 4 learn to uniquely identify objects. Here's an experiment, adapted from that study, that you can try on your own toddler, with no special equipment needed. Find out more about the science behind the study and what it says about children's cognitive and language development.

Humor

Help Your Baby Grow a Funny Bone

Shaun Gallagher on August 8, 2013

A 2012 study examined how 3- to 6-month-old infants reacted to their parents' clowning behavior. Here's an experiment, adapted from that study, that you can try on your own baby, with no special equipment needed. Find out more about the science behind the study and what it says about babies' cognitive, behavioral, social and emotional development.

A 2012 study examined how 3- to 6-month-old infants reacted to their parents' clowning behavior. Here's an experiment, adapted from that study, that you can try on your own baby, with no special equipment needed. Find out more about the science behind the study and what it says about babies' cognitive, behavioral, social and emotional development.

Bullying

Does Your Baby Show a Preference for Victims or Aggressors?

Shaun Gallagher on July 25, 2013

A June 2013 study demonstrated that babies as young as 10 months old exhibit a sympathetic response to the victim of bullying behavior. Here's an experiment, adapted from that study, that you can try on your own baby, with no special equipment needed. Find out more about the science behind the study and what it says about babies' social and emotional development.

A June 2013 study demonstrated that babies as young as 10 months old exhibit a sympathetic response to the victim of bullying behavior. Here's an experiment, adapted from that study, that you can try on your own baby, with no special equipment needed. Find out more about the science behind the study and what it says about babies' social and emotional development.