Martha Putallaz

Dr. Martha Putallaz is a Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Duke University, bridging clinical and developmental psychology. Her research examines the mutual influence of parents and peers on children's social competency, relationships, and psychopathology, with special focus on peer rejection and aggression dynamics among girls.

Her investigations span social knowledge transmission within families, peer group adaptation, and longitudinal outcomes of gifted children through the Duke Talent Identification Program. Recent work explores peer victimization contexts, academic giftedness in social hierarchies, and genetic associations with high intelligence.

Her publication trends reveal methodological diversity including genome-wide studies, multi-informant assessments, and cross-cultural examinations of aggression patterns, consistently intersecting developmental psychology with educational exceptionality.