Dr. Jesse Snedeker

Biography

Jesse Snedeker is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at Harvard University, with an affiliation in the Department of Linguistics. His research focuses on the intricacies of language development and comprehension across various populations. He studies typically developing children, as well as adults and special populations, including children with cochlear implants, international adoptees, and high-functioning individuals on the autism spectrum. Utilizing diverse methods, Snedeker's work includes tracking eye movements during spoken language processing, analyzing linguistic corpora, and conducting studies on parent-child interactions. His primary research interest lies in how language conveys meaning, aiming for methodological simplicity and theoretical clarity. Current projects involve examining syntactic priming in young children, understanding language development in internationally adopted children, and exploring the interface of language and communication, particularly in how children develop comprehension of scalar implicatures and construct meanings of verbs. His interdisciplinary approach enhances the understanding of cognitive development in relation to language acquisition.

Research Interests