Madeline was called last week to participate in a study at the Infant Cognition Center at Duke. After finding out that this experiment required pretty low-key participation (no poking, prodding or pushing would be involved), I said, "Sure, why not." Afterall, I participated in various studies at K-State when I was younger and I turned out OK (no comments from the peanut gallery, please). This study involved her sitting in a car seat and watching various patterns of shapes on two video screens for just a few minutes. She was videotaped and timed to see how long she looked at the images on each screen. She was a model participant - I'm not biased, the PhD candidate running the test even said so - and after it was all over they presented her with a certificate of participation (suitable for framing), a t-shirt (see image below), and $5. Josh is excited that there is a second wage-earner in the house again.
22 August 2007
Weird Science
