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Cambridge Language Sciences

Interdisciplinary Research Centre
 

Research

I am a Professor of Cognitive Science in the Faculty of Education. My research integrates cognition, neuroscience, child development, and education into a multi-disciplinary programme aimed at improving education in three core areas: science, maths, and literacy. Using an iterative process, I link laboratory-based research with classroom learning to better understand mechanisms responsible for cognitive development and improve educational practice. I study the role of executive functions in school achievement, investigate the role of causal reasoning for learning scientific phenomena, and apply specific cognitive principles to classroom learning (e.g., simplicity and desirable difficulties). Initially trained in developmental cognitive neuroscience, my inter-disciplinary team of students and collaborators includes developmental scientists, cognitive scientists, neuroscientists, educators, linguists, chemists, biologists, and physicists.

Publications

Key publications: 

Patel, J., Aldercotte, A., Tsapali, M., Serpell, Z., Parr, T., & Ellefson, M.R. (2021). The zoo task: A novel metacognitive problem-solving task developed with a sample of African American children from schools in high poverty communities. Psychological Assessment, 33, 795-802. https://doi.org/10.1037/pas0001033  Preprint: https://psyarxiv.com/78y96/  Data:https://osf.io/gkac3/  Zoo Task (Creative Commons license): https://osf.io/c6aq7/

Vasilopoulos, F., & Ellefson, M.R. (2021). Investigation of the associations between physical activity, self-regulation and educational outcomes in childhood. PLOS One, 16, e0250984. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0250984  Preprint:https://psyarxiv.com/th43u/

Paes, T., Tsapali, M., & Ellefson, M.R. (2020). Studying cognitive development in school-aged children. In G. Westerman (Ed)., The encyclopaedia of child and adolescent development (Vol. 3, Cognition). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119171492.wecad107

Xu, C., Ellefson, M.R., Ng, F., Wang, Q., & Hughes, C. (2020). An East-West contrast in executive function: Measurement invariance of computerized tasks in school-aged children and adolescents. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 199, 104929. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jecp.2020.104929

Ellefson, M.R., Zachariou, A., Ng, F.F., Wang, Q., & Hughes, C. (2020). Do executive functions mediate the link between socioeconomic status and numeracy skills? A cross-site comparison of Hong Kong and the United Kingdom. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 194, 104734. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jecp.2019.104734

Barsham, H., & Ellefson, M.R. (2020). Can teaching upper primary about the ‘testing effect’ increase feelings of confidence about test-taking? Impact, 8. Retrieve from: https://impact.chartered.college/article/can-teaching-upper-primary-testing-effect-increase-feelings-confidence-test-taking/

Tsapali, M., Paes, T.M., & Ellefson, M.R. (2020). Researching cognitive development in primary schools: Methods and practical considerations. Impact, 8, 52-55. Retrieve from: https://impact.chartered.college/article/researching-cognitive-development-primary-schools-methods/

Ellefson, M.R., Baker, S.T., & Gibson, J. (2019). Lessons for successful cognitive developmental science in educational settings: The case of executive functions. Journal of Cognition and Development, 20, 253-277. https://doi.org/10.1080/15248372.2018.1551219

Tsapali, M., & Ellefson, M.R. (2019). Using direct instruction to train primary school children in decision-making skills in the science classroom. Impact, 5, 18-21. Retrieved from: https://impact.chartered.college/article/utilising-direct-instruction-train-primary-school-children-decision-making-skills-science-classroom/

Poletiek, F.H., Conway, C.M., Ellefson, M.R., Lai, J., Bocanegra, B. R., & Christiansen, M. H. (2018). Under what conditions can recursion be learned? Effects of starting small in artificial grammar learning of center embedded structure. Cognitive Science, 42, 2855-2889.  https://doi.org/10.1111/cogs.12685

Paes, T., & Ellefson, M.R. (2018). Pretend play and the development of children’s language skills. Impact, 2, 60-63. Retrieve from: https://impact.chartered.college/article/paes_pretend-play-development-language-skills

Ellefson, M.R., Ng, F.F., Wang, Q., & Hughes, C. (2017). Efficiency of executive function: A two-generation cross-cultural comparison of samples from Hong Kong and the United Kingdom. Psychological Science, 28, 555-566. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797616687812

Teparek, M., Morgan, R., Ellefson, M., & Kingsley, D. (2017). Starting from the end: what to do when restricted data is released. Data Science Journal, 16, 10. https://doi.org/10.5334/dsj-2017-010

Goedert, K.M., Ellefson, M.R., & Rehder, B. (2014). Differences in the weighting and choice of evidence for plausible versus implausible causes. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning Memory and Cognition, 40, 683-702. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0035547

Vousden, J.I., Ellefson, M.R., Solity J., & Chater, N. (2011). Simplifying reading: Applying the simplicity principle to reading. Cognitive Science, 35, 34-78. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1551-6709.2010.01134.x

Ellefson, M.R., Treiman, R., & Kessler, B. (2009). Learning to label letters by sounds or names: A comparison of England and the United States. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 102, 323-341. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jecp.2008.05.008

Christiansen, M.H., Conway, C.M., & Ellefson, M.R. (2002). Raising the bar for connectionist modeling of developmental disorders. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 25, 752-753. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0140525x02230137

Christiansen, M.H., Dale, R.A.C., Ellefson, M.R., & Conway, C.M. (2002). The role of sequential learning in language evolution: Computation and experimental studies. In A. Cangelosi and D. Parisi (Eds.), Computational approaches to the evolution of language. New York, USA: Springer Verlag.

Christiansen, M.H., & Ellefson, M.R., (2002). Linguistic adaptation without linguistic constraints: The role of sequential learning in language evolution. In A. Wray (Ed.), The transition to language: Studies in the evolution of language (pp. 335-358). Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. [Chapter selected by peer review].

Molfese, D.L., Narter, D.B., Van Matre, A.J., Ellefson, M.R., & Modglin, A.A. (2001). Language development during infancy and early childhood: Electrophysiological correlates. In J. Weissenborn and B. Hoehle (Eds.), Approaches to Bootstrapping: Phonological, lexical, syntactic and neurophysiological aspects of early language development, Volume 2 (pp. 181-229). Philadelphia, PA, USA: John Benjamins.

Publications (from Symplectic)

Journal articles

2023

  • Ellefson, MR. and Oppenheimer, DM., 2023. Is replication possible without fidelity? Psychol Methods, v. 28
    Doi: 10.1037/met0000473
  • Lai, RPY. and Ellefson, MR., 2023. How Multidimensional is Computational Thinking Competency? A Bi-Factor Model of the Computational Thinking Challenge Journal of Educational Computing Research, v. 61
    Doi: 10.1177/07356331221121052
  • Eberhart, J., Paes, TM., Ellefson, MR. and Marcovitch, S., 2023. Executive functions and play. Trends Neurosci Educ, v. 30
    Doi: 10.1016/j.tine.2023.100198
  • Tong, K., Chan, YN., Cheng, X., Cheon, B., Ellefson, M., Fauziana, R., Feng, S., Fischer, N., Gulyás, B., Hoo, N., Hung, D., Kalaivanan, K., Langley, C., Lee, KM., Lee, LL., Lee, T., Melani, I., Melia, N., Pei, JY., Raghani, L., Sam, YL., Seow, P., Suckling, J., Tan, YF., Teo, CL., Uchiyama, R., Yap, HS., Christopoulos, G., Hendriks, H., Chen, A., Robbins, T., Sahakian, B., Kourtzi, Z., Leong, V. and CLIC Phase 1 Consortium, , 2023. Study protocol: How does cognitive flexibility relate to other executive functions and learning in healthy young adults? PLoS One, v. 18
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0286208
  • 2022

  • Zonneveld, AK., Serpell, Z., Parr, T. and Ellefson, MR., 2022. Executive function measurement in urban schools: Exploring links between performance-based metrics and teacher ratings. Dev Sci, v. 25
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.1111/desc.13319
  • 2021 (No publication date)

  • Hughes, C., Wang, Q., Ng, F., Wong, KK-Y. and Ellefson, MR., 2021 (No publication date). Two-Generational Reports of Parenting in Hong Kong and England: Beyond Autonomy Support and Psychological Control not yet accepted for publication,
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/j8bct
  • 2021 (Accepted for publication)

  • Patel, JN., Aldercotte, A., Tsapali, M., Serpell, Z., Parr, T. and Ellefson, MR., 2021 (Accepted for publication). The Zoo Task: A Novel Metacognitive Problem-Solving Task Developed with a Sample of African American Children from Schools in High Poverty Communities Psychological Assessment, v. 33
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.1037/pas0001033
  • 2021

  • Vasilopoulos, F. and Ellefson, MR., 2021. Investigation of the associations between physical activity, self-regulation and educational outcomes in childhood. PLoS One, v. 16
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0250984
  • Patel, J., Aldercotte, A., Tsapali, M., Serpell, ZN., Parr, T. and Ellefson, MR., 2021. The Zoo Task: A novel metacognitive problem-solving task developed with a sample of African American children from schools in high poverty communities. Psychol Assess,
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.1037/pas0001033
  • Cai, Y., Tsapali, M., Serpell, Z., Parr, T. and Ellefson, M., 2021. Age-related changes in sustained attention for older children from high poverty communities in the USA
  • 2020

  • Ellefson, MR., Zachariou, A., Ng, FF-Y., Wang, Q. and Hughes, C., 2020. Do executive functions mediate the link between socioeconomic status and numeracy skills? A cross-site comparison of Hong Kong and the United Kingdom. J Exp Child Psychol, v. 194
    Doi: 10.1016/j.jecp.2019.104734
  • Xu, C., Ellefson, MR., Ng, FF-Y., Wang, Q. and Hughes, C., 2020. An East-West contrast in executive function: Measurement invariance of computerized tasks in school-aged children and adolescents. J Exp Child Psychol, v. 199
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jecp.2020.104929
  • 2019

  • Ellefson, MR., Baker, ST. and Gibson, JL., 2019. Lessons for Successful Cognitive Developmental Science in Educational Settings: The Case of Executive Functions Journal of Cognition and Development, v. 20
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.1080/15248372.2018.1551219
  • 2018 (Accepted for publication)

  • Poletiek, F., Conway, C., Ellefson, MR., Lai, J., Bocanegra, B. and Christiansen, M., 2018 (Accepted for publication). Under What Conditions Can Recursion be Learned? Effects of Starting Small in Artificial Grammar Learning of Center Embedded Structure Cognitive Science,
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.1111/cogs.12685
  • 2017

  • Ellefson, MR., Ng, FF-Y., Wang, Q. and Hughes, C., 2017. Efficiency of Executive Function: A Two-Generation Cross-Cultural Comparison of Samples From Hong Kong and the United Kingdom. Psychol Sci, v. 28
    Doi: 10.1177/0956797616687812
  • Teperek, M., Morgan, R., Ellefson, M. and Kingsley, D., 2017. Starting from the end: What to do when restricted data is released Data Science Journal, v. 16
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.5334/dsj-2017-010
  • 2014

  • Goedert, KM., Ellefson, MR. and Rehder, B., 2014. Differences in the weighting and choice of evidence for plausible versus implausible causes. J Exp Psychol Learn Mem Cogn, v. 40
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.1037/a0035547
  • 2013

  • Hughes, PW. and Ellefson, MR., 2013. Inquiry-based training improves teaching effectiveness of biology teaching assistants. PLoS One, v. 8
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0078540
  • 2012

  • Apedoe, XS., Ellefson, MR. and Schunn, CD., 2012. Learning Together While Designing: Does Group Size Make a Difference? J SCI EDUC TECHNOL, v. 21
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-011-9284-5
  • 2011

  • Vousden, JI., Ellefson, MR., Solity, J. and Chater, N., 2011. Simplifying Reading: Applying the Simplicity Principle to Reading COGNITIVE SCI, v. 35
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.1111/j.1551-6709.2010.01134.x
  • Apedoe, XS., Ellefson, MR. and Schunn, CD., 2011. Learning Together While Designing: Does Group Size Make a Difference? Journal of Science Education and Technology,
  • Vousden, JI., Ellefson, MR., Solity, J. and Chater, N., 2011. Simplifying reading: Applying the simplicity principle to reading Cognitive Science, v. 35
  • 2009

  • Ellefson, MR., Treiman, R. and Kessler, B., 2009. Learning to label letters by sounds or names: A comparison of England and the United States. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, v. 102
  • 2008

  • Apedoe, XS., Reynolds, B., Ellefson, MR. and Schunn, CD., 2008. Bringing Engineering Design into High School Science Classrooms: The Heating/Cooling Unit J SCI EDUC TECHNOL, v. 17
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-008-9114-6
  • Ellefson, MR., Brinker, RA., Vernacchio, VJ. and Schunn, CD., 2008. Design-based learning for biology: Genetic engineering experience improves understanding of gene expression Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education, v. 36
  • 2007

  • Young, ME., Wasserman, EA. and Ellefson, MR., 2007. A theory of variability discrimination: finding differences. Psychon Bull Rev, v. 14
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.3758/bf03194106
  • 2006

  • Ellefson, MR., Shapiro, LR. and Chater, N., 2006. Asymmetrical switch costs in children COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT, v. 21
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.cogdev.2006.01.002
  • 2003

  • Young, ME., Ellefson, MR. and Wasserman, EA., 2003. Toward a theory of variability discrimination: finding differences. Behav Processes, v. 62
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.1016/s0376-6357(03)00024-x
  • Young, ME. and Ellefson, MR., 2003. The joint contributions of shape and color to variability discrimination LEARN MOTIV, v. 34
  • 2002

  • Christiansen, MH., Conway, CM. and Ellefson, MR., 2002. Raising the bar for connectionist modeling of cognitive developmental disorders BEHAV BRAIN SCI, v. 25
  • Theses / dissertations

    2022 (No publication date)

  • Lai, RPY., 2022 (No publication date). Computational Thinking Competency: Conceptualization and Assessment
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.17863/CAM.86070
  • Chu, PKC., 2022 (No publication date). The Interplay of Linguistic and Cognitive Factors in Predicting Reading Comprehension: A Case of Primary School Children from the United Kingdom and China
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.17863/CAM.87661
  • 2021 (No publication date)

  • Turner, G., 2021 (No publication date). Life-Worthy Learning Skills: A Curriculum Intervention to Promote Self-Regulated Learning
  • 2021

  • Barsham, H., 2021. Can Retrieval Practice of The Testing Effect Increase Self-efficacy in Tests and Reduce Test Anxiety in 10-to 11-Year-Olds?
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.17863/CAM.77643
  • 2020 (No publication date)

  • Tsapali, M., 2020 (No publication date). Effects of different learning environments on late primary school students’ Decision-making Competence in Socio-Scientific Issues
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.17863/CAM.54222
  • Paes, T., 2020 (No publication date). Self-regulation and language skills of 4- to 5-year-old children with English as an additional language before and after a guided play intervention as measured by teacher reports and cognitive batteries
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.17863/CAM.55012
  • 2017

  • Patel, J., 2017. Novel metacognitive problem-solving task for 8- to 11-year-old students
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.17863/CAM.36091
  • 2015

  • Tsapali, M., 2015. Progress in primary school children's understandings of materials and dissolving: A cross-age qualitative survey
  • Ellefson, MR., The Difficulty of Learning Complex Structure: A Comparative Study of Knowledge Acquisition
  • Book chapters

    2021

  • Apedoe, XS., Ellefson, MR. and Schunn, CD., 2021. Supporting Conceptual Change in Chemistry through Design-Based Learning
    Doi: 10.1163/9789004450004_004
  • 2020

  • Paes, T., Tsapali, M. and Ellefson, M., 2020. Studying Cognitive Development in School-Aged Children
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.1002/9781119171492.wecad107
  • 2019 (Published online)

  • 2019 (Published online). The Encyclopedia of Child and Adolescent Development
    Doi: 10.1002/9781119171492
  • 2002

  • Christiansen, MH., Dale, RAC., Ellefson, MR. and Conway, CM., 2002. The Role of Sequential Learning in Language Evolution: Computational and Experimental Studies
    Doi: 10.1007/978-1-4471-0663-0_8
  • 2001

  • Molfese, DL., Narter, DB., Van Matre, AJ., Ellefson, MR. and Modglin, A., 2001. Language Development during Infancy and Early Childhood
    Doi: 10.1075/lald.24.10mol
  • Conference proceedings

    2020

  • Paes, T. and Ellefson, MR., 2020. Pretend Play and Children's Self-Regulation and Language Skills: An Interventional Study. CogSci,
  • 2018 (Accepted for publication)

  • Tsapali, M., Quinn, C., Ellefson, MR., Schlottmann, A. and Taber, K., 2018 (Accepted for publication). PROGRESS IN PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN’S UNDERSTANDINGS OF MATERIALS AND THEIR COMPOSITION: A CROSS-AGE QUALITATIVE STUDY
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.17863/CAM.58228
  • 2018

  • Paes, T. and Ellefson, MR., 2018. The Influence of Pretend Play on Children's and Language and Pre-Literacy Skills. CogSci,
  • 2017

  • Patel, J., Aldercotte, A., Parr, T., Serpell, Z. and Ellefson, MR., 2017. Novel metacognitive problem solving task. CogSci,
  • Francis, GA., Serpell, Z., Parr, T. and Ellefson, MR., 2017. Executive Functions and Academic Achievement in a High-Poverty Sample. CogSci,
  • Paes, T. and Ellefson, MR., 2017. An Exploratory Study of the Influence of Pretend Play on Children's Self-Regulation and Language Skills. CogSci,
  • 2015

  • Goedert, KM., Ellefson, MR. and Kerns, V., 2015. Individual Differences, Confirmation, and the Consideration of Alternative Causes. CogSci,
  • 2014

  • Goedert, KM. and Ellefson, MR., 2014. The Role of Alternative Causes in Moderating Belief-Based Data Weighting. CogSci,
  • Hill, JL., Schlottmann, A., Ellefson, MR., Taber, KS., Tse, VWS. and Yung, TSW., 2014. Early Understanding of Intensive Properties of Matter: Developmental and Cultural Differences Proceedings of the 36th Annual Meeting of the Cognitive Science Society, CogSci 2014,
  • 2013

  • Quinn, C., Ellefson, MR., Schlottmann, A. and Taber, KS., 2013. Using Property Induction to Evaluate Understanding of Mixing Cooperative Minds: Social Interaction and Group Dynamics - Proceedings of the 35th Annual Meeting of the Cognitive Science Society, CogSci 2013,
  • 2003

  • Conway, CM., Ellefson, MR. and Christiansen, MH., 2003. When less is less and when less is more: Starting small with staged input PROCEEDINGS OF THE TWENTY-FIFTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE COGNITIVE SCIENCE SOCIETY, PTS 1 AND 2,
  • 2000

  • Ellefson, MR. and Christiansen, MH., 2000. Subjacency constraints without universal grammar: Evidence from artificial language learning and connectionist modeling PROCEEDINGS OF THE TWENTY-SECOND ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE COGNITIVE SCIENCE SOCIETY,
  • Internet publications

    2016

  • Teperek, M., Morgan, R., Ellefson, M. and Kingsley, D., 2016. Starting from the end: what to do when restricted data is released
    Doi: http://doi.org/10.1101/085100
  • Professor of Cognitive Science, Faculty of Education
    Fellow, Undergraduate Tutor and Director of Studies, Gonville & Caius College
    Departments and institutes: 
    Dr Michelle  Ellefson

    Affiliations

    Classifications: