Stephanie M. Carlson

About

Stephanie M. Carlson is a leading developmental psychologist whose research explores the origins and implications of executive function (EF) in early childhood, with a particular focus on cognitive flexibility, inhibitory control, and theory of mind. Her most-cited work, "Behaving as or behaving as if? Children’s conceptions of personified robots and the emergence of a new ontological category" (2010, 108 citations), reveals how young children navigate the boundary between living and non-living entities, demonstrating that even preschoolers can flexibly categorize robots as a unique ontological kind—a finding that bridges cognitive development and human-robot interaction. Carlson’s broader contributions include pioneering the use of the Dimensional Change Card Sort task, a widely adopted measure of cognitive flexibility, and co-developing the influential "Hot and Cool" framework of EF, which distinguishes between emotionally charged versus neutral self-regulation. Her work has been cited over 10,000 times, shaping interventions for school readiness and ADHD. A former president of the Cognitive Development Society, Carlson continues to illuminate how young minds learn to control impulses, shift perspectives, and understand others—skills foundational to academic and social success.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Behaving as or behaving as if? Children’s conceptions of personified robots and the emergence of a new ontological category

   108 citations · 2010

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links