About the Institute
One of the oldest centers for the study of children's development in the United
States, the Institute was organized in 1925 with the aid of funds from the Laura
Spelman Rockefeller Memorial in New York. Founded in the belief that the scientific
study of child development was essential to the promotion of child welfare, the
unit was established as an integral part of the University of Minnesota. Originally
administered through the office of academic administration, the Institute has been
a unit of the College of Education and Human Development since 1957.
 Developmental
psychology is the cognate field underlying most of the Institute's activities. An
intensive recruitment effort was conducted during the 1960s under the leadership
of Harold Stevenson to enhance the strength of the unit in three main areas: cognitive
development, perceptual development, and interpersonal development. Recruitment
in the 1970s under Willard Hartup's leadership consolidated and extended these earlier
gains without changing the major emphases in research and training. Appointments
under Andrew Collins most notably strengthened Institute offerings in developmental
psychopathology and cognitive neuroscience, and applications of research in clinical
and public policy settings. Richard Weinberg has been instrumental in strengthening
the undergraduate program, increasing cooperation with other academic units, and
extending efforts toward dissemination and applications of research.
Strong interest has been expressed in "theoretical integration" during recent
years. Such integration is evidenced in formal seminars, collaborative studies,
and broad theoretical restructurings but also by increasingly integrative attacks
on specific research problems. Thus, some current explorations include the linkages
between biological or neurological aspects of emotional expression, cognitive activity
and social behavior, language and cognition, cognitive and affective problems, and
perception and experience. Evolutionary perspectives on both intellectual and social
behavior have made a significant impact on contemporary work throughout the Institute.
The instructional program in developmental psychology dates from 1925-1926 when
the first courses, both undergraduate and graduate, were offered by John E. Anderson
and Florence L. Goodenough. Teaching responsibilities currently stand at a high
level with resources of the Institute available to students throughout the University.
The undergraduate major in child psychology has been offered in the College of Liberal
Arts since 1955 and, in 1993, was the fifth largest major in the College.
 The
first Ph.D. degrees were awarded in 1928 to Dorothea McCarthy and Esther McGinnis.
By July 1, 1994, 270 doctorates had been earned in child psychology, more than half
completed since 1973. Although the emphasis in graduate training continues to be
preparation at the Ph.D. level, an increasing number of students now choose to complete
requirements for the master's degree as they proceed to the doctorate.
Early childhood education has been linked to the efforts of the Institute since
its beginning. The Shirley G. Moore Laboratory
School, widely known as a research laboratory and a center for the training
of early childhood educators, has been in operation since October 1925. Professor
Moore was director of the school from 1960-1973 and it was named in her honor at
the time of her retirement in June 1987. The Center
for Early Education and Development, an interdepartmental academic unit devoted
to innovative programs of training and research in early childhood education, was
attached for purposes of administration from 1973 to this past year.
2005-2007 Biennial Report
This Biennial Report describes the Institute of Child Development at the University
of Minnesota, including its personnel and programs, and summarizes the activities
and attainments of the most recent biennium (July 2005 to June 2007). It documents
research and dissemination efforts with reports of faculty research projects, descriptions
of instructional and professional activities, and list of research presentations
and publications.
To request a paper copy of the full report, contact Alision Eudeikis at
eudei001@umn.edu or 612-624-8029. You can
also download a condensed version here or by clicking
the image on the right.
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