Cognitive and Psychological Sciences

Dave Sobel received his B.A. in Psychology and Computer Science with distinction from Swarthmore College in 1995, and his Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of California in 2001. He joined Brown’s faculty in 2001. He is currently a Professor in the Department of Cognitive and Psychological Sciences. He directs the Causality and Mind lab. His research centers on what makes children such extraordinary learners. His most current endeavors include: (1) Linking research in children's causal reasoning with their scientific thinking in early elementary school. (2) Describing how children learn from parent-child interaction and what parents can do to foster children's STEM learning and engagement. (3) Understanding children's social cognition, particularly as it relates to fairness norms. He is the author of three books, over 100 journal articles, and the recipient of several grants from NSF and NIH. In his role as Director of Undergraduate Studies for the department, he created the Advising Matters blog, which is mostly about advising in the department.