David C. Geary

Geary received a BS degree in psychology from Santa Clara University (California) in 1979, and an MS from the clinical child/school psychology program at California State University at Hayward (now East Bay) in 1981. After completing the MS degree, he worked for the emergency treatment center of the Mental Research Institute[http://www.mri.org/index.html] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110624165439/http://www.mri.org/index.html|date=June 24, 2011}} in Palo Alto, California, and began the Ph.D. program at the University of California, Riverside, in 1982. His initial interests were in hemispheric laterality and associated sex differences, but focused his dissertation work on mathematical cognition under the direction of Keith Widaman (now at UC, Davis).

After completing his Ph.D. in developmental psychology in 1986, Geary took a one-year position at the University of Texas at El Paso and then moved to the University of Missouri, first at the Rolla campus (1987–1989) and then in Columbia. During this time, he served as chair of the Department of Psychological Sciences (2002–2005) and contributed heavily to the creation of the Ph.D. program in developmental psychology.{{cite web |url=http://psychology.missouri.edu/gearyd |title=David C. Geary | Psychological Sciences |publisher=Psychology.missouri.edu |access-date=2015-10-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119062245/http://psychology.missouri.edu/gearyd |archive-date=2015-11-19 }}

Geary's wide-ranging interests are reflected in invited addresses in a variety of departments (anthropology, biology, behavior genetics, computer science, education, government, mathematics, neuroscience, physics, and psychology) and Universities throughout the United States, as well as in Canada, Europe, and East Asia.

Geary's research on mathematics learning, evolutionary psychology, and sex differences has been featured in many popular press outlets, including Discover,{{cite web|url=http://discovermagazine.com/2010/sep/25-modern-humans-smart-why-brain-shrinking/ |title=If Modern Humans Are So Smart, Why Are Our Brains Shrinking? |publisher=DiscoverMagazine.com |date=2011-01-20 |access-date=2015-10-17}} Education Week,{{cite journal|url=http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/1991/11/20/12qa.h11.html |title=Q&A: Researcher Analyzes Math Skills of Chinese, American Pupils |journal=Education Week |publisher=Edweek.org |date= 1991-11-20|access-date=2015-10-17}} Forbes,{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/forbes/2005/0228/100.html |title=Sexism at Harvard |work=Forbes |date=2005-02-28 |access-date=2015-10-17}} CBS News,{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/stiffer-competition-bigger-brain/ |title=Stiffer Competition, Bigger Brain? |work=CBS News |date=2009-06-24 |access-date=2015-10-17}} and MSNBC{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna31892194 |title=Why is human brain so big? Maybe competition - Technology & science - Science - LiveScience |work=NBC News |date=2009-07-13 |access-date=2015-10-17}} among many others.

Geary's research on children's mathematical development resulted in a MERIT award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In 2005, the University of Missouri awarded Geary a Curators’ Professorship,[http://provost.missouri.edu/faculty/awards/curators.html] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100530165845/http://provost.missouri.edu/faculty/awards/curators.html|date=May 30, 2010}} and the Thomas Jefferson Professorship in 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www.umsystem.edu/ums/aa/prior_thomas_jefferson_award |title=Previous Thomas Jefferson Award Recipients | Academic Affairs | University of Missouri System |publisher=Umsystem.edu |access-date=2015-10-17}} Among other distinctions, he is 2009 co-recipient of the George A. Miller Award for an Outstanding Recent Article on General Psychology for the 2007 Psychological Science in the Public Interest monograph on sex differences in mathematics and science,{{cite journal |url=http://www.psychologicalscience.org/index.php/publications/observer/2009/october-09/observations.html |title=PSPI Article Wins Miller Award|volume=22|issue=8|newspaper=psychologicalscience.org |date=October 2009|access-date= October 17, 2015}} co-authored with Halpern, Benbow, Gur, Hyde, and Gernsbacher.{{cite journal|last1=Halpern|first1=Diane F.|last2=Benbow|first2=Camilla P.|last3=Geary|first3=David C.|last4=Gur|first4=Ruben C.|last5=Hyde|first5=Janet Shibley|last6=Gernsbacher|first6=Morton Ann|title=The Science of Sex Differences in Science and Mathematics|journal=Psychological Science in the Public Interest|volume=8|issue=1|year=2007|pages=1–51|issn=1529-1006|doi=10.1111/j.1529-1006.2007.00032.x|pmid=25530726|pmc=4270278|url=http://www.psychologicalscience.org/journals/pspi/pspi_8_1_article.pdf}} He is a fellow of the Association for Psychological Science (2005) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (2011).

Geary's research interests are centered on his four books, Children's mathematical development (1994), Male, female (1998, 2010, second edition), Origin of mind (2005), and Evolution of vulnerability (2015); the latter was discussed in an interview with the Guardian.{{cite news|author=Carole Jahme |url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2015/apr/10/sex-differences-and-vulnerability-how-the-male-female-divide-affects-health |title=Sex differences and vulnerability: how the male-female divide affects health | Science |newspaper=The Guardian |date= 2015-04-09|access-date=2015-10-17}} He is also co-author of the 2008 Sex differences: Summarizing more than a century of scientific research, and co-editor with Drs. Berch and Mann Koepke of a five-volume series on mathematical cognition and learning.

His research on mathematical development ranged from mathematical modeling of adults’ processing of arithmetic problems;{{cite journal|last1=Geary|first1=David C.|last2=Widaman|first2=Keith F.|title=Individual differences in cognitive arithmetic.|journal=Journal of Experimental Psychology: General|volume=116|issue=2|year=1987|pages=154–171|issn=1939-2222|doi=10.1037/0096-3445.116.2.154|pmid=2955071|citeseerx=10.1.1.412.9200}}

the effects of aging on these processes;{{cite journal|last1=Geary|first1=David C.|last2=Wiley|first2=Judith G.|title=Cognitive addition: Strategy choice and speed-of-processing differences in young and elderly adults.|journal=Psychology and Aging|volume=6|issue=3|year=1991|pages=474–483|issn=1939-1498|doi=10.1037/0882-7974.6.3.474}}

and cross national and cross generational differences in mathematical abilities.{{cite journal|last1=Geary|first1=David C.|last2=Hamson|first2=Carmen O.|last3=Chen|first3=Guo-peng|last4=Liu|first4=Fan|last5=Hoard|first5=Mary K.|last6=Salthouse|first6=Timothy A.|title=Computational and reasoning abilities in arithmetic: Cross-generational change in China and the United States|journal=Psychonomic Bulletin & Review|volume=4|issue=3|year=1997|pages=425–430|issn=1069-9384|doi=10.3758/BF03210805|doi-access=free}}

In this area, he is best known for his research on learning difficulties in mathematics and in 1993 published a theoretical and review article that outlined subtypes of disabilities and helped to organize subsequent research in this area.{{cite journal|last1=Geary|first1=David C.|title=Mathematical disabilities: Cognitive, neuropsychological, and genetic components.|journal=Psychological Bulletin|volume=114|issue=2|year=1993|pages=345–362|issn=0033-2909|doi=10.1037/0033-2909.114.2.345|pmid=8416036}} He currently directs the Missouri Longitudinal Study of Mathematical Learning and Disability.{{cite web|url=http://mumathstudy.missouri.edu/ |title=MU Math Study - Psychological Sciences - University of Missouri |publisher=Mumathstudy.missouri.edu |access-date=2015-10-17}}

Geary's research in evolutionary psychology also ranges across a variety of issues, from evolution of the hominid brain{{cite journal|last1=Bailey|first1=Drew H.|last2=Geary|first2=David C.|title=Hominid Brain Evolution|journal=Human Nature|volume=20|issue=1|year=2009|pages=67–79|issn=1045-6767|doi=10.1007/s12110-008-9054-0|s2cid=83861144}} to men's hormonal responses while competing against members of their in-group or against an out-group.{{cite journal|last1=Oxford|first1=Jonathan|last2=Ponzi|first2=Davidé|last3=Geary|first3=David C.|title=Hormonal responses differ when playing violent video games against an ingroup and outgroup|journal=Evolution and Human Behavior|volume=31|issue=3|year=2010|pages=201–209|issn=1090-5138|doi=10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2009.07.002}} He has also written extensively on human paternal investment (fatherhood) and the evolution of the human family,{{cite journal|last1=Geary|first1=David C.|title=Evolution and proximate expression of human paternal investment.|journal=Psychological Bulletin|volume=126|issue=1|year=2000|pages=55–77|issn=0033-2909|doi=10.1037/0033-2909.126.1.55|pmid=10668350}}{{cite journal|last1=Geary|first1=David C.|last2=Flinn|first2=Mark V.|title=Evolution of Human Parental Behavior and the Human Family|journal=Parenting|volume=1|issue=1–2|year=2001|pages=5–61|issn=1529-5192|doi=10.1080/15295192.2001.9681209|citeseerx=10.1.1.333.989|s2cid=15440367}} and is one of the pioneers in evolutionary developmental psychology and evolutionary educational psychology.

His collaborators include former students, Drew H. Bailey[http://psychology.missouri.edu/dhbd45] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100609032245/http://psychology.missouri.edu/dhbd45|date=June 9, 2010}} and Benjamin Winegard{{cite web |url=http://psychology.missouri.edu/bmw8vb |title=Benjamin Winegard | Psychological Sciences |publisher=Psychology.missouri.edu |date=2012-06-21 |access-date=2015-10-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910135217/http://psychology.missouri.edu/bmw8vb |archive-date=2015-09-10 }} with research focused in social signaling, among other topics.

Geary contributed to the 1998 Mathematics Framework for California Public Schools{{cite web|url=http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/ma/cf/index.asp |title=Curriculum Frameworks - Mathematics (CA Dept of Education) |publisher=Cde.ca.gov |access-date=2015-10-17}} and in 2006 was appointed to the President's National Mathematics Advisory Panel. While serving on the panel, he chaired the learning processes task group.{{cite web|url=http://www2.ed.gov/about/bdscomm/list/mathpanel/index.html |title=Archived: National Mathematics Advisory Panel |publisher=.ed.gov |access-date=2015-10-17}} In 2007, he was appointed by President George W. Bush to the National Board of Directors, Institute of Education Sciences (IES), and served through 2010.{{cite web|url=http://ies.ed.gov/director/board/members.asp |title=National Board for Education Sciences: Board Members |publisher=Ies.ed.gov |date=2014-01-31 |access-date=2015-10-17}} He is also co-author of Developing effective fractions instruction for kindergarten through 8th grade: A practice guide{{cite web |url=http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/publications/practiceguides/ |title=Publications & Products: What Works Clearinghouse |publisher=Ies.ed.gov |access-date=2015-10-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927190330/http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/publications/practiceguides/ |archive-date=2011-09-27 }} and an on-line overview of learning disabilities in mathematics for parents and teachers.{{cite web|url=http://www.ldonline.org/article/5881 |title=Mathematical Disabilities: What We Know and Don't Know | LD Topics |publisher=LD OnLine |access-date=2015-10-17}}

Geary is married to Yin Xia, an applied economist. He also has a son named Mick Licken.

Geary has authored or co-authored and published over 200 articles in academic journals.{{cite web |url=http://faculty.missouri.edu/~gearyd/files/cv/geary-cv-aug-2015.pdf |title=Curriculum vitae: David C. Geary|date=August 2015|newspaper=faculty.missouri.edu|publisher=University of Missouri-Columbia|access-date=17 October 2015}}{{cite web |url=http://faculty.missouri.edu/~gearyd/articles.htm |title=David C. Geary: Publications|newspaper=faculty.missouri.edu|publisher=University of Missouri-Columbia|access-date=17 October 2015}} His h-index according to Google Scholar is 54.{{cite web |url=https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=bVcpj60AAAAJ |title=Google Scholar Citations: David C. Geary|website=scholar.google.com|access-date=17 October 2015}}

• {{cite book | last=Geary | first=David | title=Evolution of Vulnerability: Implications for Sex Differences in Health and Development | publisher=Academic Press | location=Amsterdam | year=2015 | isbn=978-0-12-801562-9}}
• {{cite book | last=Geary | first=David | title=Male, Female: The Evolution of Human Sex Differences | publisher=American Psychological Association | location=Washington, DC | year=2010 | isbn=978-1-4338-0682-7}}
• {{cite book | last=Geary | first=David | title=Origin of Mind: Evolution of Brain, Cognition, and General Intelligence | publisher=American Psychological Association | location=Washington, DC | year=2005 | isbn=978-1-59147-181-3}}
• {{cite book | last=Geary | first=David | title=Children's Mathematical Development: Research and Practical Applications | publisher=American Psychological Association | location=Washington, DC | year=1994 | isbn=978-1-55798-258-2}}

• {{cite journal

| doi=10.1016/j.dr.2006.02.005

| last=Geary

| first=David C.

| author-link=David C. Geary

| year=2006

| title=Evolutionary developmental psychology: Current status and future directions

| journal=Developmental Review

| volume=26

| issue=2

| pages=113–119

| url=http://web.missouri.edu/~gearyd/files/Geary%20Final%20Evo%20Dev%20Psy%20Issue.pdf

| access-date=2015-08-13

| archive-date=2016-03-03

| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303233856/http://web.missouri.edu/~gearyd/files/Geary%20Final%20Evo%20Dev%20Psy%20Issue.pdf

| url-status=dead

}}

• Geary, D. C. (2005). Folk knowledge and academic learning. In B. J. Ellis & D. F. Bjorklund (Eds.), Origins of the social mind. (pp. 493–519). New York: Guilford Publications. [https://web.archive.org/web/20070106150210/http://web.missouri.edu/~psycorie/FolkKnowledgePDF.pdf Full text]
• Geary, D. C. (2004). Evolution and cognitive development. In R. Burgess & K. MacDonald (Eds.), Evolutionary perspectives on human development (pp. 99–133). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. [https://web.archive.org/web/20060907032502/http://web.missouri.edu/~psycorie/EvoCogDev%5BChap%5D.pdf Full text]
• {{cite journal | last1 = Geary | first1 = D. C. | last2 = Byrd-Craven | first2 = J. | last3 = Hoard | first3 = M. K. | last4 = Vigil | first4 = J. | last5 = Numtee | first5 = C. | year = 2003 | title = Evolution and development of boys' social behavior | url = http://web.missouri.edu/~psycorie/DevelRev03.pdf | journal = Developmental Review | volume = 23 | issue = 4| pages = 444–470 | doi = 10.1016/j.dr.2003.08.001 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060831064026/http://web.missouri.edu/~psycorie/DevelRev03.pdf | archive-date = 2006-08-31 }}
• {{cite journal | last1 = Geary | first1 = D.C. | last2 = Bjorklund | first2 = D.F. | year = 2000 | title = Evolutionary Developmental Psychology | journal = Child Development | volume = 71 | issue = 1| pages = 57–65 | doi=10.1111/1467-8624.00118| pmid = 10836558 | citeseerx = 10.1.1.380.309 }}

{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

• [http://faculty.missouri.edu/~gearyd/ David C. Geary website]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20151119062245/http://psychology.missouri.edu/gearyd David C. Geary profile] at the University of Missouri

{{Evolutionary psychologists}}

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Category:1957 births

Category:Living people

Category:Writers from Providence, Rhode Island

Category:21st-century American psychologists

Category:Evolutionary psychologists

Category:Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science

Category:Fellows of the Association for Psychological Science

Category:Missouri University of Science and Technology faculty

Category:20th-century American psychologists