The Denison University psychology department is looking for families interested in participating in an infant development study. The study will be examining the different associations that infants make between the sounds of words and the shapes of objects.

At this time, Denison's psychology department is looking for approximately 100 infants between the ages of three and nine months, but the ages may vary. A parent or legal guardian must accompany each child. This study, funded by the Denison University Research Foundation (DURF) will be ongoing until April 2001. The departmental and university committees that review proposed research have approved the study.

The study requires one visit to Denison's campus inand will take approximately 30-45 minutes. Parents may stay with their infants during the study and childcare will be provided (if needed) for siblings. All infants participating will receive a small gift and the families will receive a letter explaining the findings of the study.

This study, titled "Early Roots of Sound Symbolism: Are Babies Sensitive to Phonetic Symbolism for Shape?" is being conducted by Assistant Professor Sharon Hutchins of the psychology department and two "Summer Scholar" research assistants, seniors Allison Manning of North Ridgeville, Ohio, and Julia Gruber of Standish, Maine. Hutchins, Manning (an Irvin S. Wolf Scholar) and Gruber (a DURF Scholar) expect to publish the results of this study in a professional journal and to present the results at a scientific conference.

Parents should contact Hutchins at 587-6368, or by email at hutchins@denison.edu.

About Denison:

Denison University, founded in 1831, is an independent, residential liberal arts institution located in Granville, Ohio. A highly selective college enrolling 2,100 full-time undergraduate students from all 50 states and dozens of foreign countries, Denison is a place where innovative faculty and motivated students collaborate in rigorous scholarship, civic engagement and the cultivation of independent thinking.

For press inquiries:

Name

Barbara Stambaugh

Position Title

Director, Media Relations

Primary Email

stambaughb@denison.edu

Business Phone

(740) 587-8575