The Development and Experience (DAX) Center is comprised of two research labs within the Department of Psychology at Franklin & Marshall College. We conduct and publish cutting edge research designed to shed light on the development of morals, memory, and problem solving. The DAX Center is always eager to welcome new infants and children as participants in our quick and fun studies. Sign up here.
Mission
Faculty
Joshua Rottman, Ph.D.
Director, Developing Moral Values Lab
Professor Rottman, director of the Developing Moral Values Lab, joined the faculty of Franklin & Marshall College in 2015. He received a B.A. in Cognitive Science from Vassar College in 2008 and a Ph.D. in Psychology from Boston University in 2015. At Franklin & Marshall, he teaches courses about moral psychology, psychological science, and the history and philosophy of psychology. His research investigates how children learn new beliefs about right and wrong, how storybooks impact moral development, and how children and adults think about the moral status of the natural world. His findings have been featured in The Atlantic and Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman. Prof. Rottman grew up in Western Colorado and he still enjoys spending time in the mountains.
Lauren Howard, Ph.D.
Director, Early Social Cognition Lab
Professor Howard, director of the Early Social Cognition Lab, received her Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Chicago. Her research explores how children learn in various social contexts. Specifically, she examines how other people help to improve infant's and young children's memory for events. This main focus has been expanded to include why children preferentially learn from certain peoople over others, and whether these social abilities also appear in non-human primates. Professor Howard teaches courses related to cognition and development at Franklin & Marshall College.
Krista Casler, Ph.D.
Director, Child Development Lab
Professor Casler, who joined the faculty at F&M in 2005, directed the Child Development Lab. She earned her Ph.D. in Psychology at Boston University and, prior to that, studied psychology and English as an undergraduate at Eastern Nazarene College. She teaches classes at F&M relating to development, childhood, and general psychology. Her research focuses on young children's thinking and problem solving with current projects exploring children's understanding and use of simple tools. Outside of the classroom and lab, you'll find Dr. Casler enjoying time with her husband and two sons.
