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Zanna Clay

@zannaclay.bsky.social

2.1K followers 370 following 51 posts

Professor, Psychology- Durham University. Comparative Cognition and Cross-Cultural Development Lab. Primatology, developmental psychology, bonobos, chimpanzees. Interested in evolution and development of empathy, language, culture, social cognition

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Zanna Clay @zannaclay.bsky.social · 10d

so glad you enjoyed it! I really enjoyed the conference!

Reposted by Zanna Clay

Andra Meneganzin @andrameneganzin.bsky.social · 20d

@zannaclay.bsky.social delivering the first Frans de Waal lecture at #CBEN in Antwerp. Terrific talk on the evolution of empathy and a fantastic homage to Frans de Waal's work and legacy. #evosky #philsky #animalbehaviour 🧪

Zanna Clay @zannaclay.bsky.social · 29d

research summary here from Durham University! 6/6
durham.ac.uk/departments/...

Study highlights cultural differences in parenting and reveals that how babies are soothed matters more than how fast  - Durham University

Zanna Clay @zannaclay.bsky.social · 29d

Infant response speeds seem to reflect broader cultural preferences about emotion expressiveness in Uganda and UK
Our results highlight the importance of sociocultural contexts for shaping maternal caregiving and how these relate to infant emotional development. 5/6

Zanna Clay @zannaclay.bsky.social · 29d

We think this reflect the effectiveness of their response strategy. Ugandan mothers used more breastfeeding and tactile comfort at both 3m and 6m, while UK mothers switched to more verbal and engagement strategies as their infants grew. 4/6

Zanna Clay @zannaclay.bsky.social · 29d

Across both sites, faster maternal responsiveness was associated with faster infant recovery from distress, suggesting that prompt maternal intervention facilitates regulation.
Although UK mothers were quicker to respond, Ugandan infants actually recovered faster 3/6

Zanna Clay @zannaclay.bsky.social · 29d

How mothers respond to infants’ emotional cues is key in shaping socio-emotional development However, research outside Western contexts is limited.

We compared how mothers responded to naturally-occurring infant distress in rural Uganda and suburban UK at 3m and 6m. 2/6

Zanna Clay @zannaclay.bsky.social · 29d

Woo new paper! Cross-cultural investigation into maternal responses to infant distress

How babies are soothed may be more important than how quickly, which vary cross-culturally

w/Carlo Vreden & team in #DevelopmentalPsychology!
Open-access link + thread 👇
psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/202...

Zanna Clay @zannaclay.bsky.social · 29d

research summary here from Durham University! 6/6
www.durham.ac.uk/departments/...

Study highlights cultural differences in parenting and reveals that how babies are soothed matters more than how fast  - Durham University

www.durham.ac.uk

Zanna Clay @zannaclay.bsky.social · 29d

Infant response speeds seem to reflect broader cultural preferences about emotion expressiveness in Uganda and UK

These results highlight the importance of sociocultural contexts for shaping maternal caregiving practices and how these relate to infant emotional development. 5/6

Zanna Clay @zannaclay.bsky.social · 29d

We think this reflect the effectiveness of their response strategy. Ugandan mothers used more breastfeeding and tactile comfort at both 3m and 6m, while UK mothers switched to more verbal and engagement strategies as their infants grew. 4/6

Zanna Clay @zannaclay.bsky.social · 29d

Across both sites, faster maternal responsiveness was associated with faster infant recovery from distress, suggesting that prompt maternal intervention facilitates emotional regulation.
Although UK mothers were quicker to respond to their infants, Ugandan infants actually recovered faster 3/6

Zanna Clay @zannaclay.bsky.social · 29d

How mothers respond to infants’ emotional cues is key in shaping socio-emotional development
However, research outside Western contexts is limited.
We compared how mothers responded to naturally-occurring infant distress in rural Uganda and suburban UK at 3m and 6m. 2/6

Zanna Clay @zannaclay.bsky.social · Aug 19

Durham Psychology is hiring!
The department is seeking to appoint an Assistant Professor in forensic psychology, woo! Come join us, we're a friendly and vibrant dept and Durham is beautiful!
Please see info here and reach out with any Qs.
durham.taleo.net/careersectio...

Assistant Professor (Research %26 Education)

Click the link provided to see the complete job description.

durham.taleo.net

Reposted by Zanna Clay

Max Colbert @mc00.bsky.social · Jul 30

This is one of the best ideas I've heard in ages.

Reddit post on r/technology about young people and AI: "I recently heard about a teacher who instead of trying to circumvent students using AI, which is impossible, she made assignments by going "ask ChatGPT to write a report on this subject, and then research how and why it's wrong".

Not only did the students discover that ChatGPT is extremely wrong a lot of the time, it also lead them to realise that they should not use it as a primary source".

Reposted by Zanna Clay

scienceartnews.bsky.social @scienceartnews.bsky.social · Jul 25

A study by @zannaclay.bsky.social, Carlo Vreden suggests that babies possess a powerful capacity for empathy long before they can walk or talk.As babies grow and develop, this sensitivity can develop into a deeper understanding of others' emotions and the motivation to care for them.
1/2
@psyche.co

Reposted by Zanna Clay

scienceartnews.bsky.social @scienceartnews.bsky.social · Jul 25

Changes in facial skin temperature are measured using thermal imaging, which can help scientists better understand underlying emotional states.

Research paper is published in the @psyche.co

Image provided by developmental psychologists @zannaclay.bsky.social and Carlo Vreden.
2/2

Zanna Clay @zannaclay.bsky.social · Jul 25

aw, that is a pity- and thanks very much for explaining- that's great that the effort had been made in the planning though!

Zanna Clay @zannaclay.bsky.social · Jul 24

This looks brilliant topic wise-
Though it's a pity that only 2 of the 10 speakers are women. There are so many great women scientists who could have provided excellent contributions for a more balanced programme - @asab.org

HaDi MaBouDi @maboudi.bsky.social · Jul 18

Call for Abstracts Extended! 🌟
Join us this September in Sheffield for 'Nature of Intelligence: Bridging Animal & Artificial Intelligence', an ASAB Interdisciplinary Workshop.

@asab.org @sheffielduni.bsky.social
#ArtificialIntelligence #AnimalCognition #Neuroscience I #AcademicWorkshop #ASAB

Zanna Clay @zannaclay.bsky.social · Jul 24

What contagious crying and comforting in infants tell us about the roots of emotional connection

We wrote a piece in @psyche.co magazine about our research on #empathy in infants

@durhampsych.bsky.social
psyche.co/ideas/were-l...

We’re learning just how early in life empathy starts to move us | Psyche Ideas

What contagious crying, comforting hugs and other cute behaviour in infants tells us about the roots of emotional connection

Reposted by Zanna Clay

Ashley Lynch ✂️🎞️ @ashleylynch.bsky.social · Jul 14

WeTransfer just changed their TOS giving themselves permission to train AI on any content you transfer and produce derivative works based on content you transfer that they are allowed to monetize and you are not allowed payment for.

Stop using WeTransfer.

Zanna Clay @zannaclay.bsky.social · Jun 11

Social determinants of health: A reanalysis shows that the link between maternal sociality and infant survival in Amboseli baboons is actually driven by state-dependent changes in maternal social behaviour

I missed this when it came out, so sharing in case you did too

www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1...

Reevaluating the relationship between female sociality and infant survival in wild baboons | PNAS

Over the past few decades, studies have provided strong evidence that the robust links between the social environment, health, and survival found i...

Reposted by Zanna Clay

Dan Baldassarre @evornithology.bsky.social · Jun 1

Birds as pride flags, meticulously researched by my wonderful student Griffin ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

Rainbow flag: Eastern Rosella

📷 David Irving, eBird

Zanna Clay @zannaclay.bsky.social · Jun 2

Some fancy chocs arrived to thank me for my review for the Branco Weiss Fellowship, very thoughtful

The Swiss do things better 😊

Reposted by Zanna Clay

Alisa Bokulich @alisabokulich.bsky.social · May 30

Remembering the time I threw a geology-paleontology themed Bday party for the kids. Filled a kiddie pool with sand, real fossils & rocks, then had the kids dig & ID their finds for Geo-Paleo Bingo. Ended by exploding a giant Coke & Mentos volcano at the dig site. 😅 #AcademicParents

Over a dozen 9 year old & younger kids around a sandbox with a large papier-mâché volcano in center.

A Geo-Paleo-BINGO card with boxes for
Fossil Dinosaur Bone
Gypsum Rosettes
Apatite
Rose Quartz
Pyrite
Brachiopod Fossil
Jasper/Agate Arrowhead (yes one archaeology find, & I did explain differences btwn geology, paleontology, & archaeology to kids)
Ammonite Fossil
Pumice

Dig Into Rocks & Fossils pocket booklets for kids to ID their finds (they got to keep the booklets & finds)