The Lifespan Institute welcomes a variety of research participants. See below for more information some current opportunities.
Community participants
We are always looking for community members of all ages who are interested in participating in research studies in an open and friendly environment at Brock! You (or your child) will get the opportunity to take part in fun and interesting studies and learn more about your (their) development – all in the name of science!
Participating in Lifespan research is fun and easy. We offer free and convenient parking close to the Lifespan Institute for all community members who are participating in our studies. If you are interested in participating in a study listed below or would like more information, please contact the lab with your name, child’s name and age (if applicable), and availability.
If you would like information about new study opportunities to be sent to you via email, join our Growing with Brock program by emailing growing@brocku.ca.
Our current research focuses on:
- Understanding the psychological factors that affect consumer behaviour
- Specifying how brief exposures to brands and brand related cues indirectly influence consumer preferences and consumer choice
- Determining how problem-solving indirectly influences consumer preferences
- Understanding how extraneous factors to consumption influence consumer preferences
Participants must meet the following criteria:
- Currently recruiting males, over the age of 19 years.
Contact Information:
The Developing Memory and Cognition Lab examines the development of children’s and older adults’ future-oriented memory and thinking. For child studies, participation usually involves a single, one-hour session where children will have the opportunity to play various games with an experimenter. Parents and children will be asked to visit the lab on the Brock University campus for one hour. Children will receive a small toy for participating. For our adult research, older adults will be invited to visit the lab to complete a study. During the pandemic, we are exclusively conducting online research.
Participants must meet the following criteria:
- Currently recruiting typically developing children 3 to 7 years-old and parents of 3- to 7-year-old children.
Contact info:
- The Face Perception Lab currently has a number of studies open to children ages 4 to 12 years. Study descriptions are found below.
- “Parent Study” with 4-year-olds to 7-year-olds — This study involves playing a game in which children are asked to identify pictures of their parent that have been mixed in with pictures of other people. The study is conducted online via video-call, in which the child will interact with our researcher and the pictures will be presented on the screen. This activity takes approximately 30 minutes.
- “First Impressions Study” with 4-year-olds to 12-year-olds — This study involves completing a fun interactive space-themed survey online, using a laptop, iPad or a computer. Children will be asked to answer questions about different pictures and stories in which pictures of children are shown. Families will receive the survey link and can complete the activity on their own time. This activity takes approximately 30 minutes to complete.
Participants must meet the following criteria:
- Currently recruiting children from ages 4 to 12 years.
Contact Information:
The purpose of the research is to determine if emotion words mean different things to different people. Participants will be asked to rate and categorize emotion words. Participation is expected to take approximately 1 hour and participants will be compensated $10.
Participants must meet the following criteria:
- Looking for males and females who speak English as their primary language. They need to have no hearing deficits and no uncorrected vision deficits. If participants are from the community, they need to be 18 years of age or older.
Contact Information:
Our research focuses on the cognitive and neural changes that accompany normal human aging. In our present studies, we are interested in gaining a better understanding of how attention changes with age. Each of our experimental sessions is expected to take approximately one hour and participants will be compensated with either a $10 honourarium or course credit.
Participants must meet the following criteria:
We test both young adult (17-30) and older adult (65-80) populations. Our participants must have English as their first language, have normal/corrected to normal vision, no known neurological conditions and no history of head injury.
Contact information:
brockcnalab@brocku.ca
Our studies examine the development of children’s and adolescents’ social-cognitive skills, identity, and well-being. We are curious to learn more about how do young people think and care about themselves and others in their life? Participation typically involves single, one-hour sessions, on-line. Sessions often involve interactive opportunities to play various fun games and read stories and videos on-line. Participants will receive compensation.
Have your voice heard and help us to learn what is on the minds and in the hearts of young people living in Canada today!
PARTICIPANTS MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:
- Currently, we are looking for children and adolescents between the ages of 11-18 to participate.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
- ToMElab email – tomelab@brocku.ca
- Theory of Mind lab (link to website)
- Sandra.bosacki@brocku.ca
- 905 688 5550 X5537
Our research is currently focused on three primary areas: diversion of youth and adults from the formal court process; mental health, intellectual disabilities, law, and the courts; and plea bargaining and sentencing of youth and adults. Participation will involve a 40 – 60-minute conversation (online or by phone) about your experiences, how you learn, and your ideas about how youth with developmental disabilities might want to get information. $50 Gift cards will be given for participation.
PARTICIPANTS MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:
- Be at least 16-years old
- Be a person with a developmental disability and been involved with the criminal justice system in the past.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Growing with Brock
The Growing with Brock research team, made up of five Lifespan Institute members, have created a free membership program for community members to join. Members will receive information about Growing with Brock study participation opportunities, updates on new research results, and invitations to events. To learn more or to join Growing with Brock email us at growing@brocku.ca.
Social-Cognitive Development Lab
Our studies examine social-cognitive development across the lifespan focusing on the development of honesty. Participation typically involves a single, one hour session on campus or online and involves engaging interactive sessions. For example, sessions with children involve opportunities to play various fun games and read stories. For participating, children receive a small toy.
Participants must meet the following criteria:
Contact Information: