The value transmission project investigates multiple sources of value transmission in the lives of children and adolescents.

​

We look at interactions between mothers, fathers, and their children, and ask how their conversations are used to transmit values, specifically in the context of prosocial behaviors and moral dilemmas. We ask how individual differences in parenting, and in developmental characteristics, are associated with value transmission. We ask not only how parents influence their children, but also how children influence their parents. 

​

We also look at a new source of values: social media influencers. We map the value messages in influencer content, and the strategies they use to transmit those values. We investigate how children and adolescents respond to these messages, and how they discuss them with their parents.

We will apply a variety of research methods including thematic analysis, computational methods, longitudinal and experimental studies.