College of Liberal Arts

Laura J. Claxton

Assistant Professor

Education:	Ph.D. (2007), Developmental Psychology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst M.S. (2002), Developmental Psychology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst B.A. (1998), Psychology, University of Oregon, Eugene
Office:	LAMB 304A
Office Phone:	(765) 49-62293
Office Fax:	(765) 49-61239
Email:	ljclaxton@purdue.edu
Website:	Motor Behavior Program -- http://www.cla.purdue.edu/hk/motorbehavior/motor%20behavior/Home.html
Specializations:	Motor Development motor and cognitive development in young children
Courses:	HK 253 - Principles of Motor Development HK 453 - Motor Coordination and Development

Academic Appointments:

• Assistant Professor, Department of Health and Kinesiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN (2008-present)

Research Interests:
Dr. Claxton’s research explores motor and cognitive development in young children.  Current projects investigate how motor behaviors can be influenced by cognitive factors.

Educational Background:

• Ph.D. University of Massachusetts, Amherst (2007) - Developmental Psychology
• M.S. University of Massachusetts, Amherst (2002) - Developmental Psychology
• B.A. University of Oregon (1998) - Psychology

Memberships in Professional Organizations:

• Society for Research in Child Development
• Cognitive Development Society
• American Psychological Association

Recent Publications:

• Claxton, L.J., McCarty, M.E., & Keen, R. (2009). Self-directed action affects planning in tool-use tasks with toddlers. Infant Behavior and Development, 32, 230-233.
• Carlson, S. M., Moses, L. J., & Claxton, L. J. (2004). Individual differences in executive functioning and theory of mind: An investigation of inhibitory control and planning. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 87, 299-319.
• Claxton, L. J., Keen, R., & McCarty, M. E. (2003). Evidence of motor planning in infant reaching behavior. Psychological Science, 14, 354-356.

Recent Presentations:

• Claxton, L.J., & Ponto, K. (2009, October). Preschoolers’ use of live and televised individuals as sources of information about the real world. Poster presented at the biennial meeting of the Cognitive Development Society, San Antonio, Texas.
• Claxton, L.J., & Daehler, M. W. (2007, March). Can You See Me? Preschoolers Interactions with Televised versus Live Actors. Poster presented at the biennial meeting of the Society for Research in Child Development, Boston, Massachusetts.
• Claxton, L.J., & Daehler, M. W. (2007, March). Real or Pictures: Understanding the Properties of Televised Objects. Poster presented at the biennial meeting of the Society for Research in Child Development, Boston, Massachusetts.
• Claxton, L. J., Haddad, J. M., & Keen, R. (2005, October). Motor planning in infants when reaching for objects at varying distances. Poster presented at the biennial meeting of the Cognitive Development Society, San Diego, California.
• Haddad, J. M., Claxton, L. J., & Keen, R. (2005, April). Reaching beyond arms’ length: The development of trunk and arm coordination in one-year-old children. Poster presented at the biennial meeting of the Society for Research in Child Development, Atlanta, Georgia.

Awards:

• University of Massachusetts Psychology Department NIMH trainee fellowship (2002-2003)

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