Eleanor Gao L&S Social Sciences
Children's uncertainty monitoring and decision-making on exploration
Uncertainty monitoring is an introspective process integral to learning. Children, demonstrating this ability as early as three years old, have to make countless decisions from moment to moment about what aspects of the environment to pay attention to and which ones to ignore. An internal sense of uncertainty is crucial to solving this problem: by selectively orienting themselves to things they’re uncertain about, children can maximize learning and minimize wasting time on already familiar things. Current research mainly explores how uncertainty guides children’s information-seeking but not sensitivity. There is a huge open area to explore whether and how it shapes decisions on further learning. My research project focuses on investigating how children’s uncertainty monitoring awareness from prior experience affects their decisions on further exploration. Understanding the role of uncertainty monitoring sensitivity can enhance training strategies in executive functions, facilitating more efficient learning in classroom settings. Implementing these insights as interventions could transform pedagogical practices.
Message To Sponsor
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the Shin Morgan Fund for your generous support, which has allowed me to pursue this research project. This journey has taught me how to develop a research idea from its initial concept and understand the challenges to consider before beginning hands-on work. This experience has introduced me to the world of independent exploration, a crucial aspect of being a researcher in this field. My SURF experience has solidified my plan to pursue a PhD in developmental psychology and continue working in academia. I am grateful for this opportunity, which has helped me gain confidence, especially as I observed how you approach uncovering an unknown area. I also had the chance to work with materials and equipment that were new to me, which significantly strengthened my skill set as the research project progressed. I am very appreciative of your support.