Research Professor
Psychology Department
Email: peter.gray@dos5.net
Children's Natural Ways of Learning
Children's Need for Play
Value of Student Autonomy in Education
Role of play in Human Biological and Cultural Evolution
Self-Directed Learning
Peter Gray has conducted and published research in neuroendocrinology, developmental psychology, anthropology, and education. He is author of an internationally acclaimed introductory psychology textbook, Psychology, (Worth Publishers, 7th edition), which views all of psychology from an evolutionary perspective. His recent research focuses on the role of play in human evolution and how children educate themselves, through play and exploration, when they are free to do so. He has expanded on these ideas in his book, Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life (Basic Books). He also authors a regular blog called "Freedom to Learn," for Psychology Today magazine. Gray’s expertise has been utilized by such media entities as CNN International; Fox News Channel; Korean Education Broadcasting System; Dutch Public Television; BBC News; NPR; CJAD (Montreal); ABC Sydney, Australia; Canadian Broadcasting Company; Talk Radio 702, South Africa; News Talk Radio (Ireland).