Marjorie Rhodes

Marjorie Rhodes is a **Professor of Psychology** and **Associate Chair** in the Department of Psychology at New York University (NYU). She holds a Ph.D. (2009) and B.S. (2003) in Developmental Psychology and Biopsychology/Cognitive Science from the University of Michigan. Her research focuses on the development of social categorization, essentialism, and how language shapes children’s beliefs about social groups, race, and gender. She has pioneered studies on racial bias, gender stereotypes, and the cognitive mechanisms underlying moral reasoning in children.

Research Interests:

• Developmental origins of social essentialism and intergroup bias
• Language and cultural transmission of beliefs
• Science education and gender representation
• Moral psychology and costly punishment

Awards & Honors:

• 2020 NYU Golden Dozen Teaching Award
• 2020 Stanton Prize (Society for Philosophy and Psychology)
• James S. McDonnell Foundation Scholar Award (2017–2023)
• Multiple grants from NSF, NIH, and private foundations

Grants & Leadership:

• Principal Investigator (PI) of NSF-funded projects on racial bias and science education
• Co-PI of initiatives addressing systemic racism and social hierarchies
• Elected to leadership roles in the Cognitive Development Society and Society for Philosophy and Psychology

Teaching & Mentorship:

• Supervised over 10 doctoral students and postdocs
• Core courses on conceptual and social development
• Recipient of NYU’s top teaching award

Her lab (kidconcepts.org) explores how children’s intuitive theories of social categories and obligations develop, with a focus on promoting equity through language and education.