Faculty
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My research focuses on the processes of development and adaptation from an evolutionary perspective, particularly as they relate to early childhood. Research on the family system has dealt with factors related to quality of attachment and it's influence on subsequent social development, the dynamics of mutual control in the parent-child relationship, parenting stress and external risk and protective factors influencing the course of development. My research on peer relations has explored social structures, sex role development, friendships and the manner in which children balance cooperative and competitive behaviors in pursuit of resources. Studies emphasizing cognitive factors have investigated how children detect contingencies in the social environment and make inferences about other’s intentions, while research on emotion has examined the role of affect in the development of social competence, frustration tolerance, anxiety and social withdrawal.
Peter lives with a Brittany Spaniel on a local
lake where they enjoy a variety of water/winter sports, nature photography
and birdwatching.
Selective Publications:
LaFreniere, P.J. (in press). Adaptive Origins: Human Evolution and Development. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
LaFreniere, P.J. & MacDonald, K. (July, 2008). An Evolutionary Perspective on the Effects of Parenting on Attachment. Paper presented at the International Society for Human Ethology, Bologna, Italy.
Smith, R. & LaFreniere, P.J. (July, 2008). Development of Theory of Mind from Ages Four to Eight. Paper presented at the International Society for Human Ethology, Bologna, Italy.
Weisfeld, G. & LaFreniere, P. (2007). Peer Commentary. Emotions not Decisions. Behavioral and Brain Sciences
LaFreniere, P.J. (August, 2006). An insider’s critique of evolutionary psychology. Paper presented at the International Society for Human Ethology, Detroit, Michigan.
LaFreniere, P.J. (January, 2006). Current perspectives on Darwininian Medicine. Invited lecture, University of Salamanca, Spain.
LaFreniere, P.J. (2006). Book review: What it means to be 98% chimpanzee. Human Ethology Bulletin, 16, (2), 20-23.
LaFreniere, P.J. (2005). Human emotions as multipurpose adaptations: An evolutionary perspective on the development of fear. In R.L. Burgess & K. MacDonald (Eds.) Evolutionary Perspectives on Human Development. NY: Sage.
LaFreniere, P.J. (August, 2004). The role of emotions in promoting group cohesion. Symposium presented at the International Society for Human Ethology, Montreal, Quebec.
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