What we do at Oregon Social Learning Center

We are a collaborative, multidisciplinary center dedicated to increasing the scientific understanding of social and psychological processes related to healthy development and family functioning. We apply that understanding to the design and evaluation of interventions that strengthen children, adolescents, families, and communities.

A typical developmental or intervention research project at OSLC includes:
• the direct observation of family social interaction
• interviewing and collecting questionnaires from teachers, peers, children, and parents
• the collection of school and court records.

Intervention studies have concentrated on improving the strengths and decreasing the problems of youth ages 3 through 18 years, including studies tailored to children with conduct problems or delinquency, and children who have been abused or neglected by their parents.

Preventive interventions have also been developed at OSLC. Most include a focus on testing the effect of parent management training.

The study of long-term developmental patterns is another major and ongoing focus of research at OSLC. This work currently spans infancy to early adulthood and includes biological as well as social and emotional factors.

Over the last three decades, OSLC research scientists have received national and international awards in recognition of their contributions to theory, prevention, and treatment.

The body of research grants awarded to the scientists at OSLC reflects a complimentary focus on intervention (prevention and clinical treatment) and theory building.