Doctor working at a computer

Collective intelligence can help reduce medical misdiagnoses

Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Human Development, the Institute for Cognitive Sciences and Technologies (ISTC), and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology developed a collective intelligence approach to increase the accuracy of medical diagnoses. Their work was recently presented in the journal PNAS.
 

Iyad Rahwan, Treppe

Iyad Rahwan is among the top 100 minds in Berlin science 2023

The Syrian-Australian computer scientist and director of the Center for Humans and Machines at Max Planck Institute for Human Development studies how intelligent machines impact humanity. In the interview, he talks about his research, chatbots as a sparring partner, and how art can contribute to AI research. 

Portrait Laurel Raffington

Measuring the “long-arm” of childhood

A new study indicates that children who grow up in socially disadvantaged families tend to have epigenetic profiles associated with poorer outcomes in adults. In this interview, first author Laurel Raffington contextualizes the study results and speaks about future research projects. She also speculates about what her research implies for the current debate on basic child financial security (“Kindergrundsicherung”) in Germany.

candle lights

Statement on the terror attacks against Israel

“We stand in solidarity with Israel. We grieve for the lives lost, remembering the Israeli people and others from around the world who have fallen victim to Hamas' terrorist attacks. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to their families, friends and loved ones, especially also our colleagues at Israeli universities and the Weizmann Institute of Science”. Read the full statement from the Max Planck Society and the Minerva Foundation dated October 11, 2023 at mpg.de.

Spotlight

Research Report 2020–2022/23 

We are taking a new approach to our reporting: We are delighted to announce that the 2020–2022/23 report on our research activities is available digitally Like its print predecessor, the website offers a comprehensive overview of the Institute’s research, infrastructure, and other relevant information across the reporting period. As a new complement, the magazine Spotlight 2023 offers unique perspectives on our day-to-day work at the institute.  

Schematic representation epigenetics

Socioeconomic inequality in children’s epigenetics

To study the effects of childhood environments on adult health and well-being, researchers examined epigenetic profiles of children using algorithms developed in adults. They find that children growing up in more socioeconomically disadvantaged environments exhibited epigenetic profiles that, in previous studies of adults, were associated with worse health. The results are published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics.

75 years of the Max Planck Society

75 years of the Max Planck Society

Our umbrella organization, the Max Planck Society, was founded in Göttingen in 1948 and is celebrating its 75th anniversary.

The Institute

Our Research
The Max Planck Institute for Human Development is dedicated to the study of human development and educational processes across the lifespan and historical time. Researchers from diverse disciplines—including psychology, sociology, history, computer and information science, medicine, mathematics, and economics—work together on interdisciplinary projects. An overview of all research centers and groups can be found here.
 
Our Staff
Are you looking for a specific contact? Some 350 people from over 30 countries work at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development. The institute comprises four research centers, six Research Groups, one Lise Meitner Research Group, and several service departments. The contact details of all staff members are listed here.

 
Study Participation
Are you interested in participating in a study? We are always looking for men, women, and children of various ages who are interested in participating in psychological or neuroscience studies. Here you can find out which projects are currently looking for participants and read up on the conditions for participation and study methods used.

Current Research Results


Cover of the Book The integrity of dopaminergic and noradrenergic brain regions is associated with different aspects of late-life memory performance
The title of the book is Does prefrontal connectivity during task switching help or hinder children’s performance
The title of the book is in the middle in a white box. Outside are many different adjectives in colorful letters.
In the center of the picture, an observatory on wheels can be seen, with people standing around it marveling. At the lower left edge, a speaker stands at the lectern and points into the sky.
It shows the Book Cover The Body Unburdened written by Esra Sarioglu. The upper third displays the book title and name, in the lower two thirds is a photo of a woman standing in the midst of police officers and the proud look is led away.
Cover of the book "Jahrbuch Deutsche Einheit 2022"
Grüne fahren SUV und Joggen macht unsterblich
Feeling Political.
Zur Zukunft der Demokratie
Fluid Feelings
Lost dynamics and the dynamics of loss: Longitudinal compression of brain signal variability is coupled with declines in functional integration and cognitive performance
Klick
Sex - right!
feeling different: Gay and Lesbian Life in the Federal Republic.
Deliberate Ignorance: Choosing Not to Know
The long-term proficiency of early, middle, and late starters learning English as a foreign language at school
Classification in the Wild
Mächtige Gefühle
Body, Capital, and Screens: Visual Media and the Healthy Self in the 20th Century
The politics of humiliation: A modern history.
original

News

News

Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Human Development, the Institute for Cognitive Sciences and Technologies ...

Iyad Rahwan was named one of the 100 most influential scientists in Berlin 2023 by the Tagesspiegel. The ...

A new study indicates that children who grow up in socially disadvantaged families tend to have epigenetic profiles ...

Events

LIP Distinguished Lecture Series: Nora Newcombe - Episodic memory across age and species

Nora S. Newcombe, Temple University
Dec 8, 2023 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM (Local Time Germany)
Max Planck Dahlem Campus of Cognition, Dillenburger Straße 53, 14199 Berlin, Room: Open Campus Space

Nicolas Delalande, Sciences Po Paris

Dec 5, 2023 05:00 PM (Local Time Germany)
Online

Seminar: Three Experiments in Dyadic Collaboration among Humans and Machines

Taha Yasseri, University College Dublin
Dec 5, 2023 03:00 PM (Local Time Germany)
Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Lentzeallee 94, 14195 Berlin, Room: 316

Exhibition by Sabatino Cersosimo | The Vanishing Bodies

Nov 3, 2023 06:00 PM (Local Time Germany) - Jan 4, 2024 07:00 PM
Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Lentzeallee 94, 14195 Berlin, Room: Foyer

Career

Job Offers

Subject line “Application Student RA ARC”
Research Project RHYME (Lifespan Rhythms of Memory and Cognition)
Equal Opportunities
The Max Planck Institute for Human Development is committed to promoting equal opportunities for women and men. We take both organizational and personnel measures to facilitate the reconciliation of work and family life and to promote women’s careers. Our aim is to ensure a positive environment that promotes and supports excellence.
Research Schools
The MPI for Human Development provides several working opportunities for Predocs.
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