EUGENE–Mary Rothbart, a University of Oregon professor of psychology, will deliver a public lecture, "Temperament and Development," at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 21, in the Alumni Lounge at Gerlinger Hall, 1468 University St. on the UO campus.

The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) and the Institute for Cognitive and Decision Sciences are cosponsoring Rothbart’s lecture, which is free and open to the public. A reception will follow.

Rothbart has made major contributions in the field of developmental psychology. Her work on individual differences in temperament and the development of attention in infancy and childhood has dramatically altered the understanding of development in early childhood. Rothbart’s work integrates research and theory from psychophysiology, personality and social development, clinical psychology and neuroscience.

According to Rothbart, much has been learned about the nature of individual differences in the infant and young child during the past two decades. Children differ both in the pattern of their temperament and emotions and in the way in which they pay attention and take notice of their environment. During the early years of the child’s life, these two systems develop and change and are affected by their experiences.

Rothbart’s lecture will describe research to identify an individual’s temperament as well as to understand its development and relation to personality.

Rothbart joined the psychology department in 1970. She has received numerous honors for her work, including most recently a 1997-2002 Senior Scientist Award from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). She is also a senior fellow at the Sackler Institute for Developmental Psychobiology.

Rothbart is one of three UO faculty members who were named 1999-2000 CAS Distinguished Professor award recipients. The College of Arts and Sciences presents this annual award to recognize senior faculty members for their scholarly achievements.

—30—

#P-7525/Local