Frequently Asked Questions
What is the WMCRC?
The William and Mary Child Research Center is a research group sponsored by the Psychology Department at the College of William and Mary. The center is led by Dr. Peter M. Vishton, who is well-known in the field of developmental and perceptual psychology. The research team working with Dr. Vishton is composed of graduate and undergraduate students with interests and research experience in developmental psychology.
What kinds of studies can my child participate in?
The study your child will participate in depends on the age
of your child; we explore different skills and perception abilities with
children of different age ranges. We are currently running four sets of
studies with different age ranges of children. Children of some ages are
eligible to participate in multiple studies. For more information on the
specific study that your child may participate in, please visit our "Current
Research " page.
What should I expect at my WMCRC visit?
Our top priority at the WMCRC is making sure you and your child have a pleasant and fun experience. Most of our studies resemble simple games, and most children really enjoy participating. Upon your arrival, a member from the research team will meet you at your car with a parking pass. You and your child will have time to familiarize yourselves with our work environment, and we will take time to address any questions you have before the study begins. During all studies, you will remain with your child at all times. Younger children (infants and toddlers) usually sit in your lap while completing the study; older children may sit in a chair by themselves directly beside you. All study tasks and materials are age-appropriate and completely safe for children of all ages. All of our studies are completely non-invasive and there are NO risks of physical discomfort to you or your child. If at any time you or your child become uncomfortable, we will stop the study immediately with no penalty. All children visiting the WMCRC for a study will receive an age-appropriate toy for their participation. Please feel free to bring other family members or friends that would make the visit more comfortable for you.
How long will the visit take?
Our studies usually take between 10 and 30 minutes, depending on the age of the child. Including written permission and explanation of the study, the visit takes about a half hour in total. Families with multiple children can be scheduled consecutively, only increasing the time of stay by about 15 minutes. If you're planning a family outing, we're a convenient stop on the way to Busch Gardens or historic Colonial Williamsburg!
What if my child or I become uncomfortable during participation in research?
We will never force or encourage a child to participate in a study that makes him or her uncomfortable. Most of our studies resemble games, and most children have fun participating. Sometimes infants and small children just need a short break, and we are more than happy to accommodate your needs in any way that we can. But if participation at any point becomes uncomfortable for you or your child, we can stop the study immediately.
What age ranges of children can participate?
We currently do studies with children from 3 months to 10 years of age. Our lineup of studies varies at certain points during the year, and we occasionally vary these age ranges.
Where are you located?
We are located in room 1106 of the Integrated Science Center on the Williamsburg campus of the College of William and Mary. Our address is 540 Landrum Drive, Williamsburg, VA 23185. We are less than a mile from historic Colonial Williamsburg, less than 10 minutes from Williamsburg Prime Outlets, and less than 15 minutes from Busch Gardens and Water Country USA.
From 199 - Take route 199 to ....
From I-64
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Where does the collected information go?
No personal information about your child leaves the center at any time. The collected, anonymous data from your child's study is compiled with other children's studies and published in educational and research journals that focus on child development.
How can I sign my child up to participate?
If you are interested in participating, please feel free to do one of the following:
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Fill out the interest form on this website; the completed form will be sent to Dr. Vishton and the research team who will contact you about participating.
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Call us at 757-941-5984. We are available by phone from 10 am – 4 pm during the week and would be happy to help schedule an appointment that best fits your family’s needs. If we are budy with another study and don't make it to the phone, please leave a message, and we will return your call as soon as possible.
If you have further questions about the WMCRC, please contact on of our research team members at (757) 941-5984. We are happy to answer any other questions you might have!