Explore the exciting research projects we’re currently conducting.
Social Modeling Study
Eligible Age: 4-8 Years
This project looks at children’s attitudes towards lie-telling and their own subsequent lie-telling behaviours. Child participants will observe a model (either a research team member or a parent) play a guessing game, then participate in their own guessing game as well as answer questions about the model’s behaviour.
The study involves one in-person session at the Talwar Child Development Lab, which will take approximately 20-30 minutes to complete.
If you are interested in participating in the study, please contact us at talwarchildlab.education@mcgill.ca to get more information on the study or schedule an appointment!
Praise Study
Eligible Age: 4-11 Years Old
What’s the study about? We’re interested in how praise influences children’s honesty! For instance, does hearing “You are so honest!” have a different effect on a child than hearing “That was a very honest thing to do!”? Our study explores how different types of praise affect children’s honesty and their moral self-concept.
Who can participate? This study is for children between 4 and 11 years old.
What will my child do?
- Chat with the researcher and tell a short story – (A moment when they did something they weren’t supposed to do).
- Play a fun trivia game about general knowledge (e.g., “How many legs does a spider have?”).
- Watch short puppet videos and tell us what they think about the puppets’ actions.
Time & Location:
- Time: The study is a single in-person session lasting about 25 minutes. Our sessions are offered in either English or French, depending on your preference.
- Location: You choose!
- Visit Our Lab: You can visit our lab located on the downtown McGill University campus (3724 McTavish Street).
- We can come to you: Our team can conduct the study right in your home for your convenience (as long as your home is accessible by public transport).
- Compensation: As a thank you for your time, your child will receive: A $20 e-gift card (for Amazon or Chapters/Indigo) and small toy from our prize box!
- Interested in Participating:
- You can fill out this form and we will reach out to you: https://mcgillecp.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7UnlRAoawYlGDOK
- You can also send us an email at talwarchildlab.education@mcgill.ca,and we can send you an email with further information, along with the consent form.
Self-Control Study
Eligible Age: 11-18 Years Old
We are looking for teens aged 11-18 to participate in an online research study on kindness, self-control and well-being.
We are interested in understanding what adolescents think about kindness – how are they kind to themselves and others and why? How do they feel about being kind to themselves, and how does this help them manage their emotions and to function in school?
The study takes place on an online survey platform called Qualtrics and over Zoom. It lasts approximately 60 minutes, and involves watching short video clips and filling out questionnaires about emotions, anxiety, and social experiences in school.
After participating, participants receive a $50 e-gift card at Amazon.ca as a thank-you and a list of Mental Health resources.
To sign up, fill out this form: https://mcgillecp.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9nmqE80Ml4iYLEa or send us an email!
Decisions Study
Eligible Age: 11-16 Years Old
Our Decisions Study investigates how teens think, make decisions, solve problems, and respond to different types of challenges.
Interested participants will have a 60- to 90-minute videocall with us through Microsoft Teams, where they will engage in a variety of online activities, such as watching short video clips, playing an online puzzle game, answering questions, and filling out questionnaires. Participants will be compensated with an Amazon Gift Card valued $40-50 CAD.
If you want to learn more about the study or to sign up, please visit this study information page: https://mcgillecp.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3BFsWWk33uTjKqG
