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.
The Oregon Social Learning Center (OSLC) was founded in 1977 by a group of clinical psychologists, led by Gerald R. Patterson and John Reid, whose work focused on the social development, learning, and prevention and treatment of behavior and emotional problems in the lives of children and adolescents. That focus has evolved and expanded into a mission to strengthen families, children, and communities through collaborative prevention and intervention research.
Located in Eugene, Oregon, our multidisciplinary research center is dedicated to increasing the scientific understanding of social and psychological processes related to healthy development and family functioning.
Over the past several decades, OSLC research scientists have earned national and international recognition for their contributions to theory, prevention, and treatment. With an emphasis on collaboration and rigorous methodology, our team of scientists, affiliated scientists, Senior Fellows, and Emeritus Scientists and research and administrative staff collaborate on and support approximately 20 active projects. More than a dozen interventions, many of them in worldwide use, have been developed by the OSLC team.
The success of our dual and complementary focus on theory building and intervention is reflected in the body of research grants awarded to the scientists at OSLC. Our primary funders are the National Institutes of Health, the Institute of Education Sciences, and the National Institute of Justice.
You can learn more about OSLC on these pages:
History • Awards • OSLC Developments, Inc. • Board of Directors • Contact