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Dr S R Beck
Applications accepted all year round
Awaiting Funding Decision/Possible External Funding
About the Project
My research examines children’s and adults’ reasoning and problem solving, particularly in the domains of time and physical cognition.
In my work on counterfactual thinking and metacognition I conduct experimental studies exploring children’s handling of uncertainty and hypothetical thinking. I also investigate how adults’ apparently sophisticated thinking in these areas is often irrational. My work on children’s tool-making is identifying new ways in which we can think about problem solving and innovation.
I am interested in supervising PhD students who share these interests.
More information about work in my lab can be found here
http:\\psychology-people.bham.ac.uk\people\Sarah.Beck
In my work on counterfactual thinking and metacognition I conduct experimental studies exploring children’s handling of uncertainty and hypothetical thinking. I also investigate how adults’ apparently sophisticated thinking in these areas is often irrational. My work on children’s tool-making is identifying new ways in which we can think about problem solving and innovation.
I am interested in supervising PhD students who share these interests.
More information about work in my lab can be found here
http:\\psychology-people.bham.ac.uk\people\Sarah.Beck
Funding Notes
Self-funded students may wish to apply.
There are a number of currently open competitive studentship schemes at the University of Birmingham, and students are welcome to discuss their eligibility for these with the supervisor or the PG Admissions Tutor.
There are a number of currently open competitive studentship schemes at the University of Birmingham, and students are welcome to discuss their eligibility for these with the supervisor or the PG Admissions Tutor.
References
Weisberg, D.P. & Beck, S.R. (2012). The development of children’s regret and relief. Cognition & Emotion, 26, 820-935.
Beck, S.R., Carroll, D.J., Brunsdon, V.E.A., & Gryg, C.K. (2011). Supporting children's counterfactual thinking with alternative modes of responding. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 108, 190 - 202.
Beck, S.R., Apperly, I.A., Chappell, J., Guthrie, C., & Cutting, N. (2011). Making tools isn’t child’s play. Cognition, 119, 301-306.
Beck, S.R., Carroll, D.J., Brunsdon, V.E.A., & Gryg, C.K. (2011). Supporting children's counterfactual thinking with alternative modes of responding. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 108, 190 - 202.
Beck, S.R., Apperly, I.A., Chappell, J., Guthrie, C., & Cutting, N. (2011). Making tools isn’t child’s play. Cognition, 119, 301-306.
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Career overview
Professor Sarah Beck completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Philosophy at the University of Oxford before becoming a research assistant at the University of Birmingham, where she has studied and worked ever since. She holds a PhD from the University of Birmingham. Professor Beck''s research examines imaginative thinking, particularly in children, focusing on counterfactual thinking and creative problem-solving involving tools. She adopts a developmental approach to understand how children''s imaginative thinking evolves and the cognitive factors that influence this change. Her work extends to clinical groups and nonhuman animals, reflecting a broad approach to cognition. Professor Beck has received the 2011 Margaret Donaldson Early Career Prize from the British Psychological Society Developmental Section and served as the Psychology Programme Chair for the European Society for Philosophy and Psychology from 2008 to 2011. She is also the Equality & Diversity Lead for the College of Life and Environmental Sciences.
Research interests
Professor Sarah Beck''s research examines imaginative thinking about the real world, with a particular focus on children''s ability to engage in counterfactual thinking and innovative problem-solving involving tools. She adopts a developmental approach to explore how children''s imaginative thinking evolves and the cognitive factors that influence this change. Additionally, she collaborates on research involving clinical groups and nonhuman animals, aiming to take a broad perspective on cognition.
