Generate a tailored SOP for Dr. David Rakison. Improve your application with a focused, well-structured draft.
David Rakison is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Carnegie Mellon University. His research primarily focuses on the computational and developmental aspects of infants' earliest perception of the world, exploring concepts such as the 'blooming, buzzing confusion' that characterizes their initial experiences. His work aims to understand how infants develop mental representations and concepts, the structure and order of objects and events, and how their actions influence emerging concepts. Rakison's lab addresses critical questions regarding the information-processing frameworks and integrates elements from evolutionary psychology. His research employs behavioral methodologies, including infants' looking behaviors and action behaviors, to study typical development and compare it to developmental progress in children with autism. Additionally, he develops computational models to provide insights into early perceptual concept development, revealing the mechanisms of change throughout early life.
Carnegie Mellon University • Pittsburgh, PA
Teaching and conducting research in developmental psychology focusing on infant perception and conceptual development.
Admission is extremely competitive with no strict GPA cut-offs; holistic review is used.