The Childhood Personality and Behavioral Outcomes Study

The Childhood Personality and Behavioral Outcomes Study (CPBS) examines the longitudinal relationship between personality, behavioral problems, and genes throughout the transition from middle childhood into early adolescence.  We are specifically interested in a child’s personality and how it affects their behavior and close relationships. As of March 2012, we are recruiting mothers and their children (ages 8-10) to participate in this study.

CPBS Thin-Slice Study

The thin-slice project is part of the bigger Childhood Personality and Behavioral Outcomes Study (CPBS). When children visited the lab during their intake visit and the second follow-up in Toronto, they participated in a variety of tasks designed to elicit various personality traits. Tasks were around 2-5 minutes long and included doing spelling and math activities, and making up stories based on picture cards. We use these clips as another way to get information about the children's personalities, in addition to parent- and self-report. Previous research has shown that these thin-slice ratings of personality are surprisingly accurate (Borkenau et al., 2004) and we think that they might represent an efficient and innovative way to assess child personality.  As of now, we have begun testing SONA participants who will be coding these “thin-slice” videos of children’s behavior.

The Childhood Personality Across Cultures Study

The Childhood Personality Across Cultures Study (CPAC) is a longitudinal study of youth personality disorders, psychopathology, sex-linked, and self-regulatory hormones in youth.  As part of a study in progress in Toronto, 450 participants are being tested, and as of March 2012, in Houston, we are seeking ethics approval for the continuation of this study.

If you would like to participate in one or more of the above studies, please contact us at 713-743-4847 or email us at childpersonality.UH@gmail.com or personalidad.UH@gmail.com.

For more information about RA positions please feel free to contact us at 713-743-4847 or tackettlab2@gmail.com.

For more information about the Toronto Personality Across Development Lab, please visit http://web.psych.utoronto.ca/tackettlab/