Mike Frank
@mcxfrank.bsky.social
Cognitive scientist at Stanford. Open science advocate. Symbolic Systems Program director. Bluegrass picker, slow runner, dad. http://langcog.stanford.edu
Reposted by Mike Frank
ppl often ask if I rec Baby Sign to support early language. my 1-liner is "probably doesn't do much, but it doesn't hurt"
@sblldtrch.bsky.social & co new paper supports my 1-liner doi.org/10.1177/0142...
[n.b. NOT the same as sign lang access for DHH kids i.e. full lg access from birth, which is A+]
@sblldtrch.bsky.social & co new paper supports my 1-liner doi.org/10.1177/0142...
[n.b. NOT the same as sign lang access for DHH kids i.e. full lg access from birth, which is A+]
January 23, 2026 at 7:24 PM
ppl often ask if I rec Baby Sign to support early language. my 1-liner is "probably doesn't do much, but it doesn't hurt"
@sblldtrch.bsky.social & co new paper supports my 1-liner doi.org/10.1177/0142...
[n.b. NOT the same as sign lang access for DHH kids i.e. full lg access from birth, which is A+]
@sblldtrch.bsky.social & co new paper supports my 1-liner doi.org/10.1177/0142...
[n.b. NOT the same as sign lang access for DHH kids i.e. full lg access from birth, which is A+]
Reposted by Mike Frank
New article in the Open Encyclopedia of Cognitive Science @oecs-bot.bsky.social on Motor Learning.
Thank you @mcxfrank.bsky.social @asifamajid.bsky.social for the opportunity to contribute!
oecs.mit.edu/pub/l3hscpvx...
Thank you @mcxfrank.bsky.social @asifamajid.bsky.social for the opportunity to contribute!
oecs.mit.edu/pub/l3hscpvx...
Motor Learning
oecs.mit.edu
January 23, 2026 at 1:19 PM
New article in the Open Encyclopedia of Cognitive Science @oecs-bot.bsky.social on Motor Learning.
Thank you @mcxfrank.bsky.social @asifamajid.bsky.social for the opportunity to contribute!
oecs.mit.edu/pub/l3hscpvx...
Thank you @mcxfrank.bsky.social @asifamajid.bsky.social for the opportunity to contribute!
oecs.mit.edu/pub/l3hscpvx...
New postdoc position with the LEVANTE project! We're looking for someone with language development / reading knowledge to help work on our international adaptations of language assessments. Please forward to interested candidates
January 22, 2026 at 11:31 PM
New postdoc position with the LEVANTE project! We're looking for someone with language development / reading knowledge to help work on our international adaptations of language assessments. Please forward to interested candidates
Reposted by Mike Frank
This is a WILD thread—that is still ongoing bsky.app/profile/musi...
January 20, 2026 at 2:48 AM
This is a WILD thread—that is still ongoing bsky.app/profile/musi...
We are pleased to announce that the first LEVANTE data release is now publicly available!
To access and download the pilot data, follow instructions on researcher.levante-network.org/data. This data release accompanies the preprint linked in the thread.
To access and download the pilot data, follow instructions on researcher.levante-network.org/data. This data release accompanies the preprint linked in the thread.
January 12, 2026 at 10:57 PM
We are pleased to announce that the first LEVANTE data release is now publicly available!
To access and download the pilot data, follow instructions on researcher.levante-network.org/data. This data release accompanies the preprint linked in the thread.
To access and download the pilot data, follow instructions on researcher.levante-network.org/data. This data release accompanies the preprint linked in the thread.
Reposted by Mike Frank
van Zwet's comments here re: the Z curve are similar to my impressions after examining it. The number of studies needed to get a decent estimate of what it is *supposed* to estimate well is HUGE; but averaging over hundreds of very different studies, what can you infer? I would argue very little. >
January 10, 2026 at 7:45 PM
van Zwet's comments here re: the Z curve are similar to my impressions after examining it. The number of studies needed to get a decent estimate of what it is *supposed* to estimate well is HUGE; but averaging over hundreds of very different studies, what can you infer? I would argue very little. >
Reposted by Mike Frank
My Matters Arising concerning a paper on the legal determinants of terrorism is now out in @nathumbehav.nature.com. The original paper is now retracted. To learn why, read on for a story of irregularities, imputations, and impossible values. 1/x
doi.org/10.1038/s41562-025-02347-7
doi.org/10.1038/s41562-025-02347-7
Client Challenge
doi.org
January 8, 2026 at 5:47 PM
My Matters Arising concerning a paper on the legal determinants of terrorism is now out in @nathumbehav.nature.com. The original paper is now retracted. To learn why, read on for a story of irregularities, imputations, and impossible values. 1/x
doi.org/10.1038/s41562-025-02347-7
doi.org/10.1038/s41562-025-02347-7
Reposted by Mike Frank
📚 New paper out: “Trajectory through different executive training interventions for children from socioeconomically deprived households in Argentina” #devsci #devpsy
issbd.org/wp-content/u...
+
issbd.org/wp-content/u...
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January 8, 2026 at 12:13 PM
📚 New paper out: “Trajectory through different executive training interventions for children from socioeconomically deprived households in Argentina” #devsci #devpsy
issbd.org/wp-content/u...
+
issbd.org/wp-content/u...
+
Reposted by Mike Frank
With some trepidation, I'm putting this out into the world:
gershmanlab.com/textbook.html
It's a textbook called Computational Foundations of Cognitive Neuroscience, which I wrote for my class.
My hope is that this will be a living document, continuously improved as I get feedback.
gershmanlab.com/textbook.html
It's a textbook called Computational Foundations of Cognitive Neuroscience, which I wrote for my class.
My hope is that this will be a living document, continuously improved as I get feedback.
January 9, 2026 at 1:27 AM
With some trepidation, I'm putting this out into the world:
gershmanlab.com/textbook.html
It's a textbook called Computational Foundations of Cognitive Neuroscience, which I wrote for my class.
My hope is that this will be a living document, continuously improved as I get feedback.
gershmanlab.com/textbook.html
It's a textbook called Computational Foundations of Cognitive Neuroscience, which I wrote for my class.
My hope is that this will be a living document, continuously improved as I get feedback.
Reposted by Mike Frank
The LEAP RCT on peanut allergies: A randomized trial in which equipoise arose from parental anxiety, not scientific uncertainty.
The food pyramid vs the evidence pyramid
Peanut allergies, the LEAP RCT, and when experts issue guidance under pressure.
www.argmin.net
January 6, 2026 at 3:28 PM
The LEAP RCT on peanut allergies: A randomized trial in which equipoise arose from parental anxiety, not scientific uncertainty.
Reposted by Mike Frank
Now up as a reviewed @elife.bsky.social preprint: "Continuous developmental changes in word recognition support language learning across early childhood" elifesciences.org/reviewed-pre...
Using data from ~2000 kids ages 1-6, we quantify links between word recognition and early vocabulary growth!
Using data from ~2000 kids ages 1-6, we quantify links between word recognition and early vocabulary growth!
January 5, 2026 at 9:39 PM
Now up as a reviewed @elife.bsky.social preprint: "Continuous developmental changes in word recognition support language learning across early childhood" elifesciences.org/reviewed-pre...
Using data from ~2000 kids ages 1-6, we quantify links between word recognition and early vocabulary growth!
Using data from ~2000 kids ages 1-6, we quantify links between word recognition and early vocabulary growth!
Now up as a reviewed @elife.bsky.social preprint: "Continuous developmental changes in word recognition support language learning across early childhood" elifesciences.org/reviewed-pre...
Using data from ~2000 kids ages 1-6, we quantify links between word recognition and early vocabulary growth!
Using data from ~2000 kids ages 1-6, we quantify links between word recognition and early vocabulary growth!
January 5, 2026 at 9:39 PM
Now up as a reviewed @elife.bsky.social preprint: "Continuous developmental changes in word recognition support language learning across early childhood" elifesciences.org/reviewed-pre...
Using data from ~2000 kids ages 1-6, we quantify links between word recognition and early vocabulary growth!
Using data from ~2000 kids ages 1-6, we quantify links between word recognition and early vocabulary growth!
Reposted by Mike Frank
Change over time is often depicted as a trendline. But what does shape a trendline? Which forces? Our new paper presents a method allowing to “decompose” trendlines into constituent forces. Also, we tackle an old puzzle: Does culture change “one funeral at a time”? 🧵(1/8) doi.org/10.1098/rspb...
February 5, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Change over time is often depicted as a trendline. But what does shape a trendline? Which forces? Our new paper presents a method allowing to “decompose” trendlines into constituent forces. Also, we tackle an old puzzle: Does culture change “one funeral at a time”? 🧵(1/8) doi.org/10.1098/rspb...
post a perfect album from the 90s that isn't nirvana, pearl jam, soundgarden, or alice in chains
December 29, 2025 at 6:13 AM
post a perfect album from the 90s that isn't nirvana, pearl jam, soundgarden, or alice in chains
Reposted by Mike Frank
Finally out: a really cool paper led by Abdel Elouatiq @mpi-nl.bsky.social on what parents do when they have to teach their infants a language that doesn't need vowels to form words (Tashlhiyt Berber, spoken in Morocco)
doi.org/10.1177/0142...
Invite Abdel for a talk, he's got so much more data!
doi.org/10.1177/0142...
Invite Abdel for a talk, he's got so much more data!
December 27, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Finally out: a really cool paper led by Abdel Elouatiq @mpi-nl.bsky.social on what parents do when they have to teach their infants a language that doesn't need vowels to form words (Tashlhiyt Berber, spoken in Morocco)
doi.org/10.1177/0142...
Invite Abdel for a talk, he's got so much more data!
doi.org/10.1177/0142...
Invite Abdel for a talk, he's got so much more data!
Reposted by Mike Frank
Maybe there are two distinct kinds of belief: they either represent facts (It's rainy) or express identity (My son is the best). We find instead that many beliefs simultaneously represent facts and express identity (but few beliefs do neither).
December 22, 2025 at 2:13 AM
Maybe there are two distinct kinds of belief: they either represent facts (It's rainy) or express identity (My son is the best). We find instead that many beliefs simultaneously represent facts and express identity (but few beliefs do neither).
Reposted by Mike Frank
New book! I have written a book, called Syntax: A cognitive approach, published by MIT Press.
This is open access; MIT Press will post a link soon, but until then, the book is available on my website:
tedlab.mit.edu/tedlab_websi...
This is open access; MIT Press will post a link soon, but until then, the book is available on my website:
tedlab.mit.edu/tedlab_websi...
tedlab.mit.edu
December 24, 2025 at 7:55 PM
New book! I have written a book, called Syntax: A cognitive approach, published by MIT Press.
This is open access; MIT Press will post a link soon, but until then, the book is available on my website:
tedlab.mit.edu/tedlab_websi...
This is open access; MIT Press will post a link soon, but until then, the book is available on my website:
tedlab.mit.edu/tedlab_websi...
Very excited to share the first empirical paper from LEVANTE: we describe the LEVANTE core tasks, a set of nine open source tasks for measuring learning and development in kids ages 5-12 years.
osf.io/preprints/ps...
🧵
osf.io/preprints/ps...
🧵
December 18, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Very excited to share the first empirical paper from LEVANTE: we describe the LEVANTE core tasks, a set of nine open source tasks for measuring learning and development in kids ages 5-12 years.
osf.io/preprints/ps...
🧵
osf.io/preprints/ps...
🧵
Reposted by Mike Frank
A common problem w/ studies testing non-WEIRD groups is they compare multiple groups using the same WEIRD measure. How can we compare groups w/ apples-apples measures w/o distorting cross-cultural differences? We explore this in this new paper! onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
The Development of Morality and Conventionality Across Cultures: Implementing a Two‐Stage Model for Cross‐Cultural Research
Establishing a shared sense of right and wrong is an essential milestone for human cooperation, raising the question of whether a universal set of moral intuitions exists. However, tests of universa.....
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
December 16, 2025 at 6:11 AM
A common problem w/ studies testing non-WEIRD groups is they compare multiple groups using the same WEIRD measure. How can we compare groups w/ apples-apples measures w/o distorting cross-cultural differences? We explore this in this new paper! onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Reposted by Mike Frank
Our paper on the ☀️ "summer slide" 🛝 is out now @pnas.org!
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Summer slide is a replicable phenomenon across diverse datasets that's more than "forgetting" school material in vacation months, but effects of socioeconomic inequality are ➡️ 7x bigger! ⬅️
#PsychSciSky #DevPsy
🧵👇
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Summer slide is a replicable phenomenon across diverse datasets that's more than "forgetting" school material in vacation months, but effects of socioeconomic inequality are ➡️ 7x bigger! ⬅️
#PsychSciSky #DevPsy
🧵👇
December 16, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Our paper on the ☀️ "summer slide" 🛝 is out now @pnas.org!
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Summer slide is a replicable phenomenon across diverse datasets that's more than "forgetting" school material in vacation months, but effects of socioeconomic inequality are ➡️ 7x bigger! ⬅️
#PsychSciSky #DevPsy
🧵👇
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Summer slide is a replicable phenomenon across diverse datasets that's more than "forgetting" school material in vacation months, but effects of socioeconomic inequality are ➡️ 7x bigger! ⬅️
#PsychSciSky #DevPsy
🧵👇
Reposted by Mike Frank
Now in press at Topics in Cognitive Science! We review children's understanding of different kinds of visual media across contexts, and argue that this work has important implications for childhood learning and assessment tools @cogscisociety.bsky.social
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
December 13, 2025 at 1:58 AM
Now in press at Topics in Cognitive Science! We review children's understanding of different kinds of visual media across contexts, and argue that this work has important implications for childhood learning and assessment tools @cogscisociety.bsky.social
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Reposted by Mike Frank
Big thanks to the Symbolic Systems Program (if you don't know it, check it out!), @mcxfrank.bsky.social & the Wasow Scholar program for having me.
symsys.stanford.edu
symsys.stanford.edu
December 4, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Big thanks to the Symbolic Systems Program (if you don't know it, check it out!), @mcxfrank.bsky.social & the Wasow Scholar program for having me.
symsys.stanford.edu
symsys.stanford.edu
Reposted by Mike Frank
How I contributed to rejecting one of my favorite papers of all times, Yes, I teach it to students daily, and refer to it in lots of papers. Sorry. open.substack.com/pub/kording/...
How I contributed to rejecting one of my favorite papers of all time
I believe we should talk about the mistakes we make.
open.substack.com
December 2, 2025 at 1:27 AM
How I contributed to rejecting one of my favorite papers of all times, Yes, I teach it to students daily, and refer to it in lots of papers. Sorry. open.substack.com/pub/kording/...
Can we use VLMs to quantify multimodal alignment in children's experiences? We analyze a large corpus of headcam videos to find out!
New preprint from our BabyView project, led by @alvinwmtan.bsky.social and Jane Yang: arxiv.org/abs/2511.18824
New preprint from our BabyView project, led by @alvinwmtan.bsky.social and Jane Yang: arxiv.org/abs/2511.18824
December 1, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Can we use VLMs to quantify multimodal alignment in children's experiences? We analyze a large corpus of headcam videos to find out!
New preprint from our BabyView project, led by @alvinwmtan.bsky.social and Jane Yang: arxiv.org/abs/2511.18824
New preprint from our BabyView project, led by @alvinwmtan.bsky.social and Jane Yang: arxiv.org/abs/2511.18824
Reposted by Mike Frank
Happy to share this new entry on numerical cognition for the OECS. Thanks to @hbaum.bsky.social and @mcxfrank.bsky.social for making this happen! Apologies if your work isn’t cited! Had to limit cites!!! oecs.mit.edu/pub/rek9756r...
Numerical Cognition
oecs.mit.edu
November 20, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Happy to share this new entry on numerical cognition for the OECS. Thanks to @hbaum.bsky.social and @mcxfrank.bsky.social for making this happen! Apologies if your work isn’t cited! Had to limit cites!!! oecs.mit.edu/pub/rek9756r...