Social Development Scientist

Social development scientists are experts in human development. Their research contributes to our understanding of how people grow and change throughout their lives. While they primarily work as researchers, sometimes they also teach at colleges or universities.

What They Do

Social development scientists conduct research on a wide range of topics, including:

• Child development: From birth through adolescence, how children's physical, cognitive, and social skills develop.
• Adulthood and aging: How adults' physical, cognitive, and social skills change as they age.
• Social relationships: How relationships, including friendships, romantic relationships, and family relationships, form and change over time.
• Culture: How culture influences development from childhood through adulthood, including how culture influences interactions with friends, family, romantic partners, and other social circles.
• Mental health: How social development affects mental health and well-being at different stages of life.

Social development scientists use a variety of methods to conduct their research, including: