Welcome to the Context and Development Lab!

Our lab was established at the Pennsylvania State University under the direction of Dr. Dawn Witherspoon. The research lab is affiliated with the Developmental Program in the Department of Psychology and the Child Study Center.

Our research examines adolescent development from middle to high school to understand how aspects of the residential neighborhood, school, and family contexts are related to adolescents’ academic adjustment and beliefs as well as their deviant behaviors.

A goal of our research is to elucidate the development of urban and rural adolescents, with particular attention to contextual supports.