Sabrina Perkins
Associate Professor of Psychology
Department: Psychology
Email: sperkins8@elon.edu
Phone number: (336) 278-6269
Professional Expertise
Brief Biography
Dr. Sabrina Perkins (formerly: Thurman) is a faculty member in the Psychology Department in Elon College, the College of Arts & Sciences at Elon University. She completed her Ph.D. and M.A. degrees in Psychology at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, and her B.A. degree in Psychology at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
A developmental psychologist by training, Dr. Perkins' disciplinary expertise focuses on infants’ acquisition of new motor skills, postures, and forms of locomotion (e.g., reaching, sitting, crawling, walking), and the processes underlying those changes. She directs the Infant Development Lab, where she is an active mentor to undergraduate student researchers. She also engages in Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SOTL) research focusing predominately on two areas: (1) mentoring and identity development, and (2) respectful, community-rich, and learner-centered pedagogy. Across her infancy and SOTL research, she seeks to understand how individual components within and around people work together as a system as one learns new skills and solves problems. She publishes journal articles and book chapters, leads workshops, and gives presentations at national and international conferences and currently serves as a seminar leader for the Center for Engaged Learning’s multi-institutional 2023-2025 research seminar on Mentoring Meaningful Learning Experiences.
You will find Dr. Perkins teaching foundational and senior-level capstone courses in infancy, early childhood, and lifespan development, and supervises students in child development internships. She was recognized with the Elon College, the College of Arts & Sciences, Excellence in Teaching Award in 2023.
News & Notes
Education
Ph.D. & M.A., Developmental Psychology, University of Tennessee Knoxville
B.A., University of North Carolina at Greensboro, summa cum laude and full university honors
HONORARY ORGANIZATIONS
Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society (full member)
The Phi Beta Kappa Society (lifetime member)
Psi Chi, The International Honor Society in Psychology (lifetime member)
Courses Taught
PSY 2100 Lifespan Development
PSY 2110 Early Childhood Development
PSY 4971 Senior Seminar
PSY 4985 Internship in Psychology
PSY 4999 Independent Research
If you are interested in applying to be a mentored undergraduate researcher in the Infant Development Lab, please visit the lab website for more information.
Research
Dr. Perkins is a developmental psychologist who studies how infants learn to use their bodies for manipulation, problem-solving, and exploration of their environments. She considers the development of movement a form of perception, such that movement is a way of knowing our surroundings as well as acting on them. She has multiple ongoing streams of infant development research, but across all streams, her research expertise focuses on three major areas of infant motor skill development:
- She is interested in delineating how infants learn new motor skills, postures, and forms of locomotion, such as reaching, crawling, standing, and walking.
- She aims to understand the processes underlying changes in motor behavior. These include processes within the infant (e.g., ability status), and the environments in which children live (e.g., parental beliefs and practices surrounding motor development).
- She examines how the acquisition of new motor abilities reorganize previously existing action patterns and create shifts in opportunities for infants’ exploration, discovery, and learning (e.g., learning to walk upright frees the once crawling infant’s hands for more object play).
Her use of systems perspectives leads her to ask questions about how and under what circumstances various aspects of a system within a person, task, and environment work together as they remain the same or change over time. These questions about the underlying processes of developmental change require specific research designs. She often tracks individual infants’ development longitudinally over time, as development occurs (e.g., examining the same infants over time), through microgenetic approaches (i.e., repeated observations of the same infants over time, but with a more fine-grained, “zooming lens” approach), but she also uses cross-sectional approaches (i.e., comparing infants in different age or motor skill groups; for example, pre-reaching infants vs. infants who can reach).
Publications
REFEREED MANUSCRIPTS
Thurman, S. L. & *Rose, R. (2025). Infants’ organization of pull-to-stand behaviors during play: A longitudinal investigation. Infant Behavior and Development, 78. Advance online publication.
Thurman, S. L. & Vandermaas-Peeler, M. (2025). “I have allowed myself to be bold”: Reflections on relational mentoring in undergraduate research. Perspectives on Undergraduate Research Mentoring, 13(1). Special issue on “The future of undergraduate research mentoring”
Thurman, S. L. & Miranda Tapia, O. R. (2023). Considerations for designing and implementing a first-generation college student peer mentoring program. Journal of First-generation Student Success. Advance online publication. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/26906015.2023.2231024
Thurman, S. L. (2023). Applying principles of respectful caregiving to teaching in higher education. Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Psychology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/stl0000358
Thurman, S. L. & Vandermaas-Peeler, M. (2023). Adaptive undergraduate research mentoring in a constellation model. Perspectives on Undergraduate Research Mentoring. Special issue on “Continuity of undergraduate research mentoring during times of uncertainty” https://eloncdn.blob.core.windows.net/eu3/sites/923/2023/03/T2201.pdf
Thurman S.L., & Corbetta, D. (2020). Using network analysis to capture developmental change: An illustration from infants’ postural transitions. Infancy, 25(6). doi: 10.1111/infa.12368
Thurman, S. L., & Corbetta, D. (2019). Changes in posture and interactive behaviors as infants progress from sitting to walking: A longitudinal study. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 822. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00822. Research topic on “Modeling play in early infant development”.
Corbetta, D., Wiener, R.F., Thurman, S. L., & McMahon, E. (2018). The embodied origins of infant reaching: Implications for the emergence of eye-hand coordination. Kinesiology Review, 7(1), 10-17. doi: 10.1123/kr.2017-0052
Wiener, R. F., Thurman, S. L., & Corbetta, D. (2018). Directing gaze on a scene prior to reaching for an object: Changes over the first year of life. Journal of Motor Learning and Development, 6(Suppl 1), S105-125. doi: 10.1123/jmld.2017-0005. Special issue on “Object processing and motor development”.
Thurman, S. L., & Corbetta, D. (2017). Spatial exploration and changes in infant–mother dyads around transitions in infant locomotion. Developmental Psychology, 53(7), 1207-1221. doi: 10.1037/dev0000328
Thurman, S. L. (2015). Ethical considerations in longitudinal studies of human infants. Infant Behavior & Development, 38(1), 116-125. doi: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2014.12.012
Corbetta, D., Thurman, S. L., Wiener, R., Guan, Y., & Williams, J. L. (2014). Mapping the feel of the arm with the sight of the object: On the embodied origins of infant reaching. Frontiers in Psychology, 5(576), 1-18. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00576
Boseovski, J. J. & Thurman, S. L. (2013). Evaluating and approaching a strange animal: Children’s trust in informant testimony. Child Development, 85(2), 824-834. doi: 10.1111/cdev.12156
BOOK CHAPTERS
Thurman, S. L. & Vandermaas-Peeler, M. (2022) Learning by doing: Undergraduate research in psychology. In H. A. Mieg, E. Ambos, A. Brew, W. Deicke, S. Haberstroh, & J. Lehmann (Eds.), Cambridge Handbook on Undergraduate Research. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Click to view book
Corbetta, D., Wiener, R.F., & Thurman, S. L. (2018). Learning to reach in infancy. In D. Corbetta & M. Santello (Eds.), Reach-To-Grasp Behavior: Brain, Behavior, and Modelling Across the Life Span. Routledge (Taylor & Francis). Click to view book
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Thurman, S., K. Carter*, A.G. Gilbert*, and K. Zeldin* (2024). “What’s in an Undergraduate Research Space.” Center for Engaged Learning (blog), Elon University. December 6. https://www.centerforengagedlearning.org/whats-in-an-undergraduate-research-space/.
Thurman, S. (2024). “Help!: When Problems Arise in Mentoring Relationships.” Center for Engaged Learning (blog), Elon University. November 8. https://www.centerforengagedlearning.org/help-when-problems-arise-in-mentoring-relationships/
Thurman, S., A. Bellot*, and T. Grant*. (2024). “Building Trust in Mentoring Relationships.” Center for Engaged Learning (blog), Elon University. Oct. 8, 2024. https://www.centerforengagedlearning.org/building-trust-in-mentoring-relationships
Thurman, S. (2024). “Strategies for Onboarding New Undergraduate Research Student Mentees.” Center for Engaged Learning (blog), Elon University. September 12, 2024. https://www.centerforengagedlearning.org/strategies-for-onboarding-new-undergraduate-research-student-mentees/
Thurman, S. (2024). “Cultivating Vulnerability in Mentoring Relationships.” Center for Engaged Learning (blog), Elon University. April 30, 2024. https://www.centerforengagedlearning.org/cultivating-vulnerability-in-mentoring-relationships/
Thurman, S. (2024). “The Importance of Raising Student Awareness of Mentored Academic Opportunities, Financial Awards, and Scholarships.” Center for Engaged Learning (blog), Elon University. February 6, 2024. https://www.centerforengagedlearning.org/the-importance-of-raising-student-awareness-of-mentored-academic-opportunities-financial-awards-and-scholarships/
Thurman, S. (2024). “Strategies to Improve Mentees’ Ability to Build Their Own Mentoring Constellations.” Center for Engaged Learning (blog), Elon University. January 2, 2024. https://www.centerforengagedlearning.org/strategies-to-improve-mentees-ability-to-build-their-own-mentoring-constellations/
Thurman, S. (2023). “Equalizing Status in Mentoring Relationships Fosters Collaboration.” Center for Engaged Learning (blog), Elon University. November 28, 2023. https://www.centerforengagedlearning.org/equalizing-status-in-mentoring-relationships-fosters-collaboration/
Thurman, S. (2023). “Learning through Mentoring: Lessons from the Earliest Phase of Life.” Center for Engaged Learning (blog), Elon University. August 22, 2023. https://www.centerforengagedlearning.org/learning-through-mentoring-lessons-from-the-earliest-phase-of-life
Thurman, S. (2023). “A Personal Reflection on What Makes Mentoring Great.” Center for Engaged Learning (blog), Elon University. July 25, 2023. https://www.centerforengagedlearning.org/a-personal-reflection-on-what-makes-mentoring-great
Vandermaas-Peeler, M. & Thurman, S. L. (2023, Spring). Supporting students in uncertain times within a mentoring constellation model. Eye on Psi Chi, 27(3), 28-31. Retrieved from: https://www.psichi.org/page/273Eye-Supporting-Students-In-Uncertain-Times-Within-a-Mentoring-Constellation-Model#.Y-fT8-zMLde
Miranda, O. & Thurman, S. L. Elon University partners with first-generation students to promote student belonging and connection. Center for First-Generation Student Success. March 9, 2022. Retrieved from: https://firstgen.naspa.org/blog/elon-university-partners-with-first-generation-students-to-promote-student-belonging-and-connection
Thurman, S.L. Dr. Sabrina Thurman, Assistant Professor and Director of the Infant Development Lab at Elon University, USA. Featured Guest, Women in Academia Podcast. August 10, 2020. Retrieved from: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/women-in-academia/e/76830204
Presentations
* denotes undergraduate student author
SELECT REFEREED POSTER/VERBAL PRESENTATIONS, SYMPOSIA, AND PUBLISHED ABSTRACTS AT NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY MEETINGS
Oudgenoeg-Paz, O., Atun-Einy, O., Thurman, S. L., & van Schaik, S. (2024, July). Where do parents turn for information about motor development in the US, Israel and the Netherlands?. In O. Oudgenoeg-Paz, M. Lobo, O. Atun-Einy, & A. Martins De Toledo (chairs), Where do parents across cultures look for information about development and play and what information do they find?. Symposium conducted at the 2024 International Conference on Infant Studies, Glasgow, Scotland.
Thurman, S. L. & Vandermaas-Peeler, M. (2023, April) Adaptive mentoring of undergraduate research. Continuing Education workshop accepted to the 69th Annual Conference of the Southeastern Psychological Association, New Orleans, LA.
Corbetta, D. & Thurman, S. L., Weiner, R., Williams, J., & Guan, Y. (2022, July). Reach-to-grasp behavior: Visual selection at work in 5- to 11-month-old infants. In D. Corbetta, M. Horger, L. Chinn, & S. Soker-Elimaliah (chairs), Sitting, reaching, and grasping: How early motor skills give rise to foundational cognitive abilities. Symposium conducted at the 2022 International Conference on Infant Studies, Ottawa, Canada.
Thurman, S. L., Iselin, A-M., & Burns, P. (2021, June) Continued Connections: Using Community- and Technology- Rich Education Post-Pandemic. Workshop accepted to the Virtual 17th Annual Teaching and Learning Conference, Elon University.
Thurman, S. L., Parvanezadeh Esfahani, S., *Williams, E., Hay, J. F., & Corbetta, D. (2020, July) Changes in mothers’ infant-directed vocalizations over time: A longitudinal free-play study. Poster session presented at the 2020 virtual meeting of the International Congress on Infant Studies.
*Grillo, A. & Thurman, S. L. Standing experience and environmental contexts: What affects infants’ manual interactions with objects? Poster was accepted to the 2020 International Congress on Infant Studies, Glasgow, Scotland, but was cancelled due to COVID-19.
Corbetta, D. & Thurman, S. L. (2019, June). Visual selection and goal-directed reaching in infancy.Verbal presentation, 2019 Conference of theNorth American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity, Baltimore, MD. Abstract published in the Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 41(S1). doi: 10.1123/jsep.2019-0082
Thurman, S. L., & Corbetta, D. (2019, June). Infant locomotor experience and changes in exploratory behaviors: A longitudinal free-play study.Verbal presentation, 2019 Conference of theNorth American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity, Baltimore, MD. Abstract published in the Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 41(S1). doi: 10.1123/jsep.2019-0082
Thurman, S. L., Corbetta, D. (2019, March). Changes in mothers’ and infants’ target interactions during postural-locomotor development.In A. Ledebt (chair), Understanding motor activity in infants: The role of parent-child interaction. Symposium conducted at the 2019 Society for Research in Child Development, Baltimore, MD.
Thurman, S. L., Corbetta, D. (2018, July). Infants’ use of posture during play and exploration: A longitudinal investigation.In L. Karasik & E. Walle (chairs), Walk, talk, play: Changes across the transition from crawling to walking in infancy. Symposium conducted at the 2018 International Conference on Infant Studies, Philadelphia, PA.
Corbetta, D., Wiener, R., McMahon, Emalie, & Thurman, S. L. (2018, July). Duration of object visual encoding on precision reaching in 9-month-old infants.In I. Babik & M. Lobo (chairs), Co-Development of Motor and Cognitive Abilities in Infancy: Dynamic Systems Approach. Symposium conducted at the 2018 International Conference on Infant Studies, Philadelphia, PA.
Thurman, S. L. & Corbetta, D. (2018, June). Posture and play: How infants use their bodies to interact with their surroundings in the first two years.Verbal presentation, 2018 Conference of the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity, Denver, CO. Abstract published in the Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 40(3, Suppl 1). doi: 10.1123/jsep.2018-0169
Thurman, S. L. & Corbetta, D. (2018, June). A Longitudinal Analysis of Naturalistic Posture Networks in Infancy.Poster session presented at workshop for Expanding the Field: Multi-disciplinary Developmental Dynamics, Norwich, United Kingdom.
Thurman, S. L. & Corbetta, D. (2017, June). Capturing infant naturalistic use of postures using network analysis: A longitudinal study. Verbal presentation, 2017 Conference of the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity, San Diego, CA. Abstract published in the Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 39(3, Suppl 1). doi: 10.1123/jsep.39.3.s1
Thurman, S. L. & Corbetta, D. (2017, April). Changes in infant-mother interaction and exploration as a function of infant locomotor skill development. In M. Lobo (chair), Motor Skill Foundations of Cognitive Development and Academic Achievement. Symposium conducted at the 2017 Society for Research in Child Development, Austin, TX.
Thurman, S. L. & Corbetta, D. (2016, June). Developmental changes in joint play in mother-infant dyads during motor skill transitions in the first two years. In D. Corbetta (chair), Dynamics of Infant-Parent Play in the Context of Motor Development. Symposium conducted at the 2016 International Conference on Infant Studies, New Orleans, LA.
Thurman, S. L. & Corbetta, D. (2015, June). Distance traveled and proximity patterns in mother-infant dyads during the crawling-to-walking transition. Verbal presentation, 2015 Conference of the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity, Portland, OR. Abstract published in the Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 37(3, Suppl 1), S89. doi: 10.1123/jsep.37.3.S1.S1
Wiener, R. F., Thurman, S. L., & Corbetta, D. (2015, June). Where do infants look the most when preparing to reach: To the hand holding the target object or to the object target itself? Verbal presentation, 2015 Conference of the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity, Portland, OR. Abstract published in the Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 37(3, Suppl 1), S91. doi: 10.1123/jsep.37.3.S1.S1
Corbetta, D., Thurman, S. L., Wiener, R. F., Guan, Y., & Williams, J. L. (2014, July). Change in object-directed looking patterns throughout the transition to reaching. In G. Schwarzer and K. Libertus (chairs), Actions shape perception: Relations between motor skills and infants’ understanding of objects and people. Symposium conducted at the 2014 International Conference on Infant Studies, Berlin, Germany.
Thurman, S. L. & Boseovski, J. J. (2013, April). Does mother know best? Children’s selective trust in a maternal figure versus a zookeeper when learning about a novel animal. Poster session presented at the meeting of the Society for Research in Child Development, Seattle, WA.
Professional Activities
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Society for the Teaching of Psychology
International Congress of Infant Studies
Society for Research in Child Development
North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity
American Psychological Association
Association for Psychological Science
PROFESSIONAL JOURNAL REVIEWING ACTIVITIES
Editorial Board Member of Infancy, the Journal of the International Congress on Infancy Studies
Review Editor, Editorial Board of Developmental Psychology, Frontiers in Psychology
Ad hoc Reviewer: Acta Psychologica, Child Development, Cognitive Development, Developmental Pscyhobiology, Developmental Psychology, Developmental Science, Infancy, Infant and Child Development, Journal of Motor Learning and Development, Laterality: Asymmetries of Body, Brain, and Cognition, Perspectives of Undergraduate Research Mentoring, Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Psychology, Science Progress
SERVICE TO PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Member, Review Panel: Motor and Sensorimotor Processes. Program of the 2022 Biennial International Congress on Infant Studies, Fall 2021/Spring 2022
Member, Review Panel: Physical/Rough & Tumble Play. Program of the 2020 Special Topic Meeting for Learning through Play and Imagination, Society for Research in Child Development, Fall 2019/Spring 2020
Member, Developmental Perspectives Program Committee, North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity, Fall 2019/Spring 2020
Member, Review Panel: Cognitive Development. Program of the 2020 Biennial International Congress on Infant Studies, Fall 2019/Spring 2020
Member, Developmental Perspectives Program Committee, North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity, Fall 2018/Spring 2019