Virginia Slaughter
Source: https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/499 Parent: https://about.uq.edu.au/leadership-governance/senior-executive-team/deputy-vice-chancellor-research-and-innovation
Professor
Virginia Slaughter
Email: : vps@psy.uq.edu.au
Phone: : +61 7 334 60503
Positions
Dean of the Graduate School : Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation)
Overview
Background
Virginia Slaughter is Professor of Psychology at the University of Queensland, Australia, where she founded the Early Cognitive Development Centre. Her research focuses on social and cognitive development in infants and young children, with particular emphasis on social behaviour in infancy, theory-of-mind development and the acquisition of peer interaction skills. She is a Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia and a Fellow of the Association for Psychological Science.
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Availability
Professor Virginia Slaughter is: : Not available for supervision : Media expert
Fields of research
Cognitive and computational psychology Psychology
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts, Sarah Lawrence College
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of California-Berkeley
Works
Search Professor Virginia Slaughter’s works on UQ eSpace
All (167) Book (5) Journal Article (131) Conference Publication (15) Book Chapter (16)
2025
Journal Article
From dolls to trucks: factors associated with adults' gender‐typing of children's toys
Farrell, Callyn, Mulvihill, Aisling, Slaughter, Virginia and Thai, Michael (2025). From dolls to trucks: factors associated with adults' gender‐typing of children's toys. International Journal of Psychology, 61 (1) e70150, e70150. doi: 10.1002/ijop.70150
From dolls to trucks: factors associated with adults' gender‐typing of children's toys
2025
Journal Article
Beyond the toy box: how Australian adults prescribe toys based on child gender expression and assigned sex
Farrell, Callyn, Mulvihill, Aisling, Slaughter, Virginia and Thai, Michael (2025). Beyond the toy box: how Australian adults prescribe toys based on child gender expression and assigned sex. Diversity & Inclusion Research, 3 (1) e70045. doi: 10.1002/dvr2.70045
2025
Journal Article
Using a continuous measure of child gender identity to explore mother–child agreement
Farrell, Callyn, Mulvihill, Aisling and Slaughter, Virginia (2025). Using a continuous measure of child gender identity to explore mother–child agreement. Social Development, 35 (1) e70036. doi: 10.1111/sode.70036
Using a continuous measure of child gender identity to explore mother–child agreement
2025
Journal Article
Participation and Experiences in Extracurricular Activities for Children With Developmental Language Disorder and Their Peers
Farrell, Callyn, Slaughter, Virginia and Mulvihill, Aisling (2025). Participation and Experiences in Extracurricular Activities for Children With Developmental Language Disorder and Their Peers. International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, 60 (6) e70134, 1-11. doi: 10.1111/1460-6984.70134
2025
Conference Publication
Human-animal interactions recalibrate the face-selective network in children
Taubert, Jessica, MacColl, Cate, Farrell, Callyn, Robinson, Amanda K., Slaughter, Virginia and Mattingley, Jason B. (2025). Human-animal interactions recalibrate the face-selective network in children. Vision Sciences Society Annual Meeting 2025, St. Pete Beach, FL United States, 16-20 May 2025. Rockville, MD United States: Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology. doi: 10.1167/jov.25.9.2260
Human-animal interactions recalibrate the face-selective network in children
2025
Journal Article
A Review and Critique of Studies Examining Empathy in Infants
Ruffman, Ted, Imuta, Kana and Slaughter, Virginia (2025). A Review and Critique of Studies Examining Empathy in Infants. Human Development, 69 (4), 1-27. doi: 10.1159/000546896
A Review and Critique of Studies Examining Empathy in Infants
2025
Journal Article
Parents' mental state language and child gender: a scoping review of developmental evidence
Farrell, Callyn, Sanderson, Ellen, Mulvihill, Aisling, Thai, Michael and Slaughter, Virginia (2025). Parents' mental state language and child gender: a scoping review of developmental evidence. British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 43 (2), 396-417. doi: 10.1111/bjdp.12502
Parents' mental state language and child gender: a scoping review of developmental evidence
2024
Book Chapter
Automatic Imitation in Infants and Children
Farwaha, Sumeet and Slaughter, Virginia (2024). Automatic Imitation in Infants and Children. Automatic Imitation. (pp. 177-198) Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-62634-0_9
Automatic Imitation in Infants and Children
2024
Journal Article
From a crisis management tool to proactive death education in Swedish preschools
Puskas, Tunde, Andersson, Anita and Slaughter, Virginia (2024). From a crisis management tool to proactive death education in Swedish preschools. Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood. doi: 10.1177/14639491241246121
From a crisis management tool to proactive death education in Swedish preschools
2024
Journal Article
Are autistic children with theory of mind delays unexpectedly competent at moral reasoning?
Peterson, Candida C. and Slaughter, Virginia (2024). Are autistic children with theory of mind delays unexpectedly competent at moral reasoning?. International Journal of Disability Development and Education, 72 (1), 1-13. doi: 10.1080/1034912X.2023.2295916
Are autistic children with theory of mind delays unexpectedly competent at moral reasoning?
2023
Journal Article
Participation and experiences in extracurricular activities for autistic and neurotypical children
Farrell, Callyn, Slaughter, Virginia, McAuliffe, Tomomi and Mulvihill, Aisling (2023). Participation and experiences in extracurricular activities for autistic and neurotypical children. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 54 (11), 1-15. doi: 10.1007/s10803-023-06142-z
Participation and experiences in extracurricular activities for autistic and neurotypical children
2023
Journal Article
The impacts of typically developing siblings on the developmental outcomes of children with disability: a scoping review
Cuskelly, Monica, Gilmore, Linda, Rayner, Christopher, Girkin, Fiona, Mulvihill, Aisling and Slaughter, Virginia (2023). The impacts of typically developing siblings on the developmental outcomes of children with disability: a scoping review. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 140 104574, 1-15. doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2023.104574
2023
Journal Article
Revisiting the video deficit in technology-saturated environments: Successful imitation from people, screens, and social robots
Sommer, Kristyn, Slaughter, Virginia, Wiles, Janet and Nielsen, Mark (2023). Revisiting the video deficit in technology-saturated environments: Successful imitation from people, screens, and social robots. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 232 105673, 1-13. doi: 10.1016/j.jecp.2023.105673
2023
Journal Article
How we talk to kids: adults prefer different forms of language for children based on gender expression
Farrell, Callyn, Slaughter, Virginia, Thai, Michael and Mulvihill, Aisling (2023). How we talk to kids: adults prefer different forms of language for children based on gender expression. Sex Roles, 89 (3-4), 119-134. doi: 10.1007/s11199-023-01393-7
2023
Journal Article
Living in heaven and buried in the earth? Teaching young children about death
Puskás, Tünde, Andersson, Anita, Jeppsson, Fredrik and Slaughter, Virginia (2023). Living in heaven and buried in the earth? Teaching young children about death. European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 31 (6), 900-14. doi: 10.1080/1350293X.2023.2221002
Living in heaven and buried in the earth? Teaching young children about death
2023
Journal Article
Early childhood educators' mental state language and children's theory of mind in the preschool setting
Mulvihill, Aisling, Armstrong, Rebecca, Casey, Charlotte, Redshaw, Jonathan, Scarinci, Nerina and Slaughter, Virginia (2023). Early childhood educators' mental state language and children's theory of mind in the preschool setting. British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 41 (3), 227-245. doi: 10.1111/bjdp.12449
2023
Journal Article
Not just quantity but also quality of language: cross-cultural comparisons of maternal mental state talk in New Zealand, Australia, and China
Kong, Qiuyi, Mulvihill, Aisling, Slaughter, Virginia, Fraser, Harry, Cavanagh-Welch, Bailey, Elwina, Felicia Crysta, Kang, Jie and Ruffman, Ted (2023). Not just quantity but also quality of language: cross-cultural comparisons of maternal mental state talk in New Zealand, Australia, and China. PLOS ONE, 18 (3) e0282480, e0282480. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282480
2023
Journal Article
Mindreading across cultural boundaries
Kim, Lee Rae, Jetten, Jolanda, Pekerti, Andre and Slaughter, Virginia (2023). Mindreading across cultural boundaries. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 93 101775, 1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.ijintrel.2023.101775
Mindreading across cultural boundaries
2022
Journal Article
A meta-analytic review on the social–emotional intelligence correlates of the six bullying roles: bullies, followers, victims, bully-victims, defenders, and outsiders
Imuta, Kana, Song, Sumin, Henry, Julie D., Ruffman, Ted, Peterson, Candida and Slaughter, Virginia (2022). A meta-analytic review on the social–emotional intelligence correlates of the six bullying roles: bullies, followers, victims, bully-victims, defenders, and outsiders. Psychological Bulletin, 148 (3-4), 199-226. doi: 10.1037/bul0000364
2021
Journal Article
Screen time in the coronavirus 2019 era: international trends of increasing use among 3- to 7-year-old children
Ribner, Andrew D., Coulanges, Linsah, Friedman, Samantha, Libertus, Melissa E., Hughes, Claire, Foley, Sarah, Devine, Rory, Fink, Elian, Selby, Amy, Brocki, Karin, Frick, Matilda, Badinlou, Farzaneh, Feng, Xin, Chan, Meingold, Slaughter, Virginia, Clark, Sally, Su, Yanjie, Wan, Shan, Lecce, Serena, Basile, Chiara, Elliott, Leanne and Silver, Alex (2021). Screen time in the coronavirus 2019 era: international trends of increasing use among 3- to 7-year-old children. Journal of Pediatrics, 239, 59-66.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2021.08.068
Funding
Past funding
- 2023 - 2025
The neural plasticity of gaze following in children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Brain and Behavior Research Foundation
Open grant - 2022 - 2024
The Role of Cultural Evolution in Human Understanding (John Templeton Foundation application submitted by Oxford University)
University of Oxford
Open grant - 2021 - 2025
Imitation learning in infancy
ARC Discovery Projects
Open grant - 2019 - 2025
Sibling influence on development of children with autism spectrum disorder (ARC Discovery Project administered by the University of Tasmania)
University of Tasmania
Open grant - 2015 - 2020
Do theory of mind delays explain children's social problems?
ARC Discovery Projects
Open grant - 2014 - 2019
Mothers' and their Children's Health study: understanding disparities in health and health service utilisation among Australian families
NHMRC Project Grant
Open grant - 2014
Prem Baby Triple P: A RCT of Enhanced Parenting to Improve Developmental Outcomes in Preterm Infants
Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital
Open grant - 2013 - 2017
Yours and mine: Development of the concept of ownership in typical children and those on the autism spectrum
ARC Discovery Projects
Open grant - 2012 - 2017
A randomised controlled trial of enhanced parenting capacity to improve developmental outcomes in preterm infants
NHMRC Project Grant
Open grant - 2012
UQ Category 1 Travel Award - Celia Brownell
UQ Travel Awards for International Collaborative Research (Category 1)
Open grant - 2011 - 2014
Effects of an animal-assisted intervention for children with autism (NIH R03 administered by Purdue University)
Purdue University
Open grant - 2011 - 2012
Animal-assisted activities for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their peers in a classroom setting (follow-on study)
Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition
Open grant - 2011 - 2012
Establishing a UWA-UQ network for collaboration in Autism Research
UWA-UQ Bilateral Research Collaboration Award
Open grant - 2010 - 2012
Theory of mind and everyday social behaviour in children with autism, deafness and typical development
ARC Discovery Projects
Open grant - 2009 - 2011
Animal-assisted activities for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their peers in a classroom setting
Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition
Open grant - 2009 - 2013
Charting the prevalence, time course and social-cognitive correlates of neonatal imitation.
ARC Discovery Projects
Open grant - 2008
Synchronic imitation in children with ASD: imitation and the social deficit hypothesis.
APEX Foundation for Autism
Open grant - 2006 - 2008
Objects or agents: Early development of knowledge about human hands
ARC Discovery Projects
Open grant - 2006 - 2008
Social Influences on Five Key Steps in Understanding Mind for Children with Autism, Deafness or Typical Development
ARC Discovery Projects
Open grant - 2005
NHMRC_Equipment Grant = Refurbishment and equipment for Early Cognitive Development Unit and Video equipment for cognitive testing of children, adolescents and adults
NHMRC Equipment Grant
Open grant - 2004 - 2005
The development of knowledge about human beings in infancy and early childhood
UQ Foundation Research Excellence Awards - DVC(R) Funding
Open grant - 2004 - 2005
Investigating the nature of infants' human body concept
University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
Open grant - 2003 - 2005
Maternal input and theory of mind development in infancy and early childhood
ARC Discovery Projects
Open grant - 2002 - 2003
Development of a Computerized Assessment Tool to Aid in the Diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorders
UQ FirstLink Scheme
Open grant - 2002
The recognition of human body shape in infancy.
ARC Discovery Projects
Open grant - 2001
Parental beliefs, attitudes and attachment in relation to daycare and early intervention for typical and disabled children.
University of Queensland Small Grants Scheme
Open grant - 2000 - 2001
Investigation the contributions of joint attention and maternal input to theory of mind development in normal, deaf and autistic children.
ARC Australian Research Council (Large grants)
Open grant - 2000
The recognition of human body shape in infancy.
ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)
Open grant - 1999
Autistic children's understanding of emotion
UQ Foundation
Open grant - 1999
The beginnings of social intelligence: A longitudinal study of the emergence of joint attention
UQ Early Career Researcher
Open grant - 1998 - 1999
Children's understanding of biology: implications for cognitive development and health
ARC Australian Research Council (Large grants)
Open grant - 1997 - 1998
The beginning of social intelligence: emergence of joint attention in infancy
University of Queensland New Staff Research Grant
View all 32 past funded projects View less
Supervision
Availability
Professor Virginia Slaughter is: : Not available for supervision
Supervision history
Current supervision
- Doctor Philosophy
##### An intervention to develop empathy in primary-aged children
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Vanessa Cobham, Dr Kristiana Ludlow - Doctor Philosophy
##### The role of cultural and environmental factors in the developmental trajectory of early infant imitative behaviour
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jonathan Redshaw
Completed supervision
- 2025
Doctor Philosophy
##### Talk, Toys, and Gender: Investigating the influence of child gender in socialisation contexts
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Michael Thai, Dr Aisling Mulvihill - 2024
Doctor Philosophy
##### The role of bilingualism in children's numeracy development and mathematical achievement
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Aisling Mulvihill - 2022
Doctor Philosophy
Principal Advisor - 2019
Doctor Philosophy
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mark Nielsen - 2017
Doctor Philosophy
Principal Advisor - 2016
Master Philosophy
##### Cultural influences in the theory of mind.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Julie Henry - 2014
Doctor Philosophy
##### Animal-Assisted Intervention for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their Peers
Principal Advisor - 2013
Doctor Philosophy
##### Developing an Understanding of Mind: A View Across Cultures
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mark Nielsen - 2013
Doctor Philosophy
##### Investigating the Mechanism and Function of Neonatal Imitation From a Longitudinal Perspective
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Thomas Suddendorf - 2010
Doctor Philosophy
##### Of Hissing Snakes and Angry Voices: The Processing of Evolutionary Fear-Relevant Sounds in Infancy
Principal Advisor - 2006
Doctor Philosophy
##### EXPLORING THE BOUNDARIES OF EMOTIONAL RESPONSIVENESS IN YOUNG CHILDREN WITH AUTISIM SPECTRUM DISORDERS
Principal Advisor - 2006
Master Philosophy
##### SCIENTIFIC REASONING IN YOUNG CHILDREN
Principal Advisor - 2005
Doctor Philosophy
##### EMERGENCE OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE HUMAN BODY SHAPE IN INFANCY
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Thomas Suddendorf - 2004
Doctor Philosophy
##### PSYCHOPATHY, MACHIAVELLIANISM, EMPATHY AND THEORY OF MIND: AN INTEGRATIVE ACCOUNT
Principal Advisor - Doctor Philosophy
##### Infants' Perception of Moving Human Bodies
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mark Nielsen - 2024
Master Philosophy
##### Mindreading across cultural boundaries
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Andre Pekerti, Professor Jolanda Jetten - 2021
Doctor Philosophy
##### Cultural Background Shapes the Ownership-Based Self-Reference Effect
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Ada Kritikos - 2020
Doctor Philosophy
##### The Early Development of Young Children's Imitation of Social Robots
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mark Nielsen, Professor Janet Wiles - 2017
Doctor Philosophy
##### Very Early Social Learning within the Context of the Mother-Baby Relationship
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mark Nielsen - 2016
Doctor Philosophy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Ada Kritikos - 2016
Doctor Philosophy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alina Morawska - 2015
Master Philosophy
##### The Role of Functional Knowledge in Children's Judgments of Inefficient Tools
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mark Nielsen - 2014
Doctor Philosophy
Associate Advisor - 2013
Doctor Philosophy
##### THE EFFICIENT SOCIAL BRAIN: EXPLORING IMPLICIT THEORY OF MIND PROCESSING
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Paul Dux - 2011
Doctor Philosophy
##### Observation and Execution: The Role of The Mirror Neuron System in Understanding Actions
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Ada Kritikos - 2006
Doctor Philosophy
##### DOMAIN SPECIFICITY OF LINKS BETWEEN PRESCHOOL CHILDREN'S SOCIAL AND COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT AND SIBLING AND PARENT VARIABLES
Associate Advisor - 2005
Doctor Philosophy
##### THE DEVELOPMENT OF MENTAL TIME TRAVEL
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Thomas Suddendorf - 2004
Doctor Philosophy
##### The nature of the nurture: environmental correlates of first language acquisition
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor John Elkins - 2004
Doctor Philosophy
##### Efficacy and Effectiveness of Self-Directed Behavioural Family Intervention
Associate Advisor - Doctor Philosophy
##### TESTING A COGNITIVE-MOTIVATIONAL MODEL OF DRINKING BEHAVIOUR IN A UNIVERSITY STUDENT SAMPLE
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Tian Po Oei
View all 30 completed supervisions View less
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Virginia Slaughter directly for media enquiries about:
- Children's concepts
- Cognition and infants
- Cognitive development
- Developmental psychology
- Infant cognition
- Knowledge of numbers - learning
- Numbers - knowledge of
- Self concept development
- Social development - children
- Social knowledge testing of babies
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External profiles
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