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The PALs project is an interdisciplinary research project that integrates naturalistic observation, human development, biology, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) . This diversity is necessary to address the complex scientific questions posed by our research.
- Trained researchers gather observational data about preschool children’s dynamic micro-social interactions as complementary data to our Agent Based Model (ABM), PlayMate.
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Data are collected at a university child development lab in a southwestern metropolitan area.
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Most importantly related to our research is to better understand sociality among social mammals and social insects. We begin by examining this process in preschool children.
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The study of young children is fortuitous for answering process-driven questions about group formation and group stability for several reasons:
- This is the first time that many of the children are consistently exposed to a large number of peers – the sizeable pool of eligibles can provide us with information about the selection process in the formation and evolution of groups.
- Given the relative social inexperience of this age group, we should be able to find evidence of basic and simple process components common to all social entities (e.g., communicative signals).
- There is long-term societal utility for studying children’s abilities to form and maintain relationships with their peers – this phenomena has been closely associated with academic and social competence.
- This is the first time that many of the children are consistently exposed to a large number of peers – the sizeable pool of eligibles can provide us with information about the selection process in the formation and evolution of groups.
- Given the relative social inexperience of this age group, we should be able to find evidence of basic and simple process components common to all social entities (e.g., communicative signals).
- There is long-term societal utility for studying children’s abilities to form and maintain relationships with their peers – this phenomena has been closely associated with academic and social competence.