Research clusters

Social Relationships

Social relationships are studied within couples, and by investigating imitation in children and primates. The internationally respected Unit of School and Family Studies focuses on the changing nature of grandparenting and on studies of bullying, in a variety of national and international settings.

Dr. Debbie Custance: Developmental-comparative psychology with special emphasis on cultural learning and parent-offspring relationships in human and non-human primates.

Dr. Madoka Kumashiro: Social psychology and personality - “self” in interpersonal contexts: close relationships and motivation; personality and interpersonal processes; balancing personal and relational needs; personal and relational well-being.

Prof. Peter Smith: Social development in the home and school; play; friendship; aggression and bullying in childhood; grandparent/grandchild relationships; human ethology and sociobiology.