In the last several years, there has been an increasing awareness of the problem of aggression in our communities, schools, and families. A great deal of research has addressed this problem, and as a result, a wealth of information is available that has helped in the design of intervention programs aimed at reducing or preventing aggressive behavior among children.

Unfortunately, past research on aggression has been limited in two important ways:

1. aggressive girls have usually been excluded from relevant studies, and
2. forms of aggression that are salient to boys have been emphasized whereas forms that are common among girls have been largely ignored.

Our research projects are designed to address these issues through the assessment of aggressive behaviors that have been shown to be prevalent among girls (relational aggression—harming others through damaging their peer relationships and feelings of social inclusion), in addition to those that are typical of boys (physical aggression).

Current Research

The Crick Lab currently has one active longitudinal project:

• The Pre to K Project (a continuation of the Preschool Pals Project).

We also have two short term studies being conducted by students in the lab.

• The Friends and Health Project
• The Teammate Project

Past Research

• School Buddies
• Project KIDs
• Peers and Pals Project

If you are interested in finding out more about what the Cricksters. individual interests are, we encourage you to take a look at our individual biographies or contact us directly. There are many opportunities to collaborate on different projects in our lab.

Information for Undergraduates

If you are an undergraduate interested in getting research experience in a social development lab we welcome you to contact us to learn about the possible opportunities. We have many undergraduates that work with us on our research and are always looking for more. Our lab places a high importance on a quality learning experience for all our undergraduate assistants. We provide you with training and experiences that will round out your studies at the "U" by bringing them out of the abstract.

Information for Prospective Graduate Students

If you are a prospective graduate student and are interested in finding out more about the Crick Lab or the Institute of Child Development (ICD) in general, feel free to contact us, or Danielle Bordeleau, who is the ICD’s Coordinator of Graduate Administration.

For more information about the Institute of Child Development at the University of Minnesota, surf our website.