David J. Lewkowicz
Papers
1
Total Citations
75
H-Index
1
About
David J. Lewkowicz is a pioneering developmental psychologist whose research has fundamentally reshaped our understanding of early perceptual and cognitive development. His work centers on how infants integrate information across the senses—a process known as intersensory perception—and how this ability shapes social and cognitive growth. Lewkowicz is perhaps best known for his groundbreaking studies on the "uncanny valley" effect in infants. In a highly influential 2011 paper (75 citations), he demonstrated that even 12-month-olds show aversion to highly realistic humanoid robots, suggesting that this eerie response is rooted in early-developing perceptual expectations rather than solely in adult cognition. Beyond this, his extensive body of work—garnering thousands of citations—has revealed how infants learn to match faces and voices, detect biological motion, and adapt to cultural cues. A fellow of the Association for Psychological Science, Lewkowicz’s research has profound implications for understanding autism, social bonding, and human-robot interaction, making him a vital voice in both developmental science and artificial intelligence.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1The development of the uncanny valley in infants75 citations · 2011