Education:
BSc Honours (University of Northern British Columbia)
MSc (University of Northern British Columbia)
PhD (University of Calgary)
Office: EA3049
Phone: 403.440.8541
Email: mwellsby@mtroyal.ca
TEACHING
- PSYC 1105 Introduction to Psychology
- PSYC 2235 Life-Span Development
- PSYC 3351 Topics in Child Development
- PSYC 3353 Topics in Aging
RESEARCH INTERESTS
My research is focused on child language and literacy development. I take an embodied cognition approach to study the role of sensory and motor experiences in language development. I am also interested in examining how play relates to various aspects of development in childhood.
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles:
Wellsby, M., & Pexman, P. M. (2019). Learning labels for objects: Does degree of sensorimotor experience matter? Languages, 4, doi:10.3390/languages4010003
Pexman, P. M., & Wellsby, M. (2016). Linking hand to mouth: The relationship between manual dexterity and language skills in typically-developing children. Italian Journal of Cognitive Science, 81-94. doi: 10.12832/83919
Inkster, M., Wellsby, M. B., Lloyd, E., & Pexman, P. M. (2016). Development of embodied word meanings: Sensorimotor effects in children’s lexical processing. Frontiers in Psychology. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00317
Wellsby, M., & Pexman, P. M. (2014). The influence of bodily experience on children’s language processing. Topics in Cognitive Science, 6, 425-441. doi: 10.1111/tops.12092
Wellsby, M., & Pexman, P. M. (2014). Developing embodied cognition: Insights from children’s concepts and language processing. Frontiers in Cognitive Science. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00506
Wellsby, M., Siakaluk, P. D., Owen, W. J., & Pexman, P. M. (2011). Embodied semantic processing: The body-object interaction effect in a non-manual task. Language & Cognition, 3, 1-14. doi: 10.1515/langcog.2011.001
Wellsby, M., Siakaluk, P. D., Pexman, P. M., & Owen, W. J. (2010). Some insults are easier to detect: The embodied insult detection effect. Frontiers in Psychology. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2010.00198
Conference Presentations:
Wellsby, M., Starchuk, A., & McKay, K. (July 2020). Collaboration and Innovation across the Continuum of Care in Child and Adolescent Campus Based Mental Health Programs. Paper presented by M. Wellsby, A. Starchuk, and K. McKay at the International Federation of Social Workers Virtual Conference.
Wellsby, M., Starchuk, A., & McKay, K. (September 2019). Examining Recurrent Clients to Live In Mental Health Programs. Poster presented at the 39th Annual Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry conference, Quebec City, QC.
Wellsby, M. & Pexman, P. M. (June 2015). Touching versus looking: The influence of different kinds of sensorimotor experience in children’s word learning. Poster presented at the 25th Annual meeting of the Canadian Society for Brain, Behaviour, and Cognitive Science, Ottawa, ON.
Wellsby, M., Ansell, N., & Pexman, P. M. (August 2014). The Role of Sensorimotor Knowledge in Children’s Language Processing. Paper presented by M. Wellsby at the Embodied and Situated Language Processing Meeting, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Wellsby, M., Khu, M., Sedivy, J., & Graham, S. A. (June 2013). Do Pre-school Aged Children Expect Unconventional Speakers to Maintain Consistency in Referential Expressions? Paper presented by M. Wellsby at the Canadian Society for Brain, Behaviour, and Cognitive Science 2013 meeting, Calgary, AB.
Wellsby, M., & Pexman, P. M. (October 2011). Examining the Body-Object Interaction Effect in Children Using a Word Naming Task. Poster presented at the 7th Biennial Meeting of the Cognitive Development Society, Philadelphia, PA