John Clibbens

Teaching interests

Language and cognitive development in typical and atypical groups.

Observational methods in Developmental Psychology.

 

Staff serving as external examiners
External Examiner for 8 PhDs and 3 MPhils: University of Bristol (Centre for Deaf Studies), University of Southampton (Department of Psychology), University of Portsmouth (Department of Psychology), University College London (Institute of Child Health/Department of Psychology; Department of Phonetics and Linguistics), Royal Holloway, University of London (Department of Psychology), and University of Newcastle upon Tyne (School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences). (Also examiner for 6 PhDs at the University of Plymouth, Department of Psychology & Centre for Theoretical and Computational Neuroscience.)

External Examiner: MEd Psychology of Education, University of Bristol, July 2007 - June 2010. 

Research interests

Language and related cognitive processes in children and adults.

The development of anaphoric reference

Sign language development in deaf children

Language and cognition in Down syndrome and autism

Early interaction and lexical development in speech and sign

Signing and joint attention in Down syndrome

Signing and speech intelligibility in Down syndrome

Visual feedback and speech production in the deaf

Augmentative and alternative communication

The development of conditional reasoning

Pragmatic factors in reference and reasoning

Second language acquisition and bilingualism

 

 

Other research
 

Conference presentations (since 1999):

2008 Pollock, C.L., Auburn, T., Clibbens. J & Phillips, C. Interactions of children with severe autism. 7^th Annual International Meeting For Autism Research: Hammersmith: London (15-17 May).

2007 Cattani, A. & Clibbens, J. Hemisphere preference in visual and spatial memory for circles, shapes and objects in deaf and hearing signers and nonsigners. British Psychological Society, Developmental Psychology Section, Annual Conference: University of Plymouth (29-31 August).

2007 Arreckx, F., Handley, S.J. & Clibbens, J. The role of context in children’s contrary-to-fact and counterfactual reasoning. British Psychological Society, Developmental Psychology Section, Annual Conference: University of Plymouth (29-31 August).

2006 Clibbens, J. & Powell, G.G. Analysing interaction between children with Down syndrome and their parents. British Psychological Society, Developmental Psychology Section, Annual Conference: Royal Holloway University of London (7-9 September).

2006 Arreckx, F., Clibbens, J. & Handley, S. The relationship between counterfactual thinking, false belief tasks and contrary-to-fact syllogisms. British Psychological Society, Developmental Psychology Section, Annual Conference: Royal Holloway University of London (7-9 September).

2006 Holdsworth-Cannon, K. & Clibbens, J. Understanding of illness in children and young people: a developmental perspective. British Psychological Society, Developmental Psychology Section, Annual Conference: Royal Holloway University of London (7-9 September).

2006 Oates, J., Clibbens, J., Powell, G.G., Tatterson, C., Hughes, J. & Buckley, S. Early Support: a Developmental Journal. British Psychological Society, Developmental Psychology Section, Annual Conference: Royal Holloway University of London (7-9 September).

2006 Clibbens, J. & Arreckx, F. Counterfactual thinking and theory of mind in children. Conference for Educators of the Deaf: Frank Barnes School, London (1 March).

2005 Arreckx, F., Clibbens, J. & Handley, S. The influence of fantasy context on contrary-to-fact syllogisms and counterfactual scenarios. XIIth European Conference on Developmental Psychology: Tenerife, Spain (24-28 August).

2005 Clibbens, J. Creative arts, humanities and health: national and local perspectives. HIIR in Plymouth (Health & Social Care Interdisciplinary Innovation and Research Conference): University of Plymouth (10-11 March).

2004 Cattani, A. & Clibbens, J. Short-term memory for position and hemisphere advantage in hearing and deaf signers and nonsigners. Theoretical Issues in Sign Language Research 8, University of Barcelona (30 Sept - 2 Oct).

2004 Arreckx, F., Clibbens, J. & Handley, S. Are difficulties with false belief tasks related to verbal memory performance, reasoning performance or ability to solve contrary-to-fact syllogisms? Child Language Seminar, University of the West of England (12-14 July).

2003 Cattani, A. & Clibbens, J. Effects of auditory deprivation and sign language use on visual location and working memory tasks: evidence for atypical hemispheric lateralisation? British Psychological Society, Cognitive Psychology Section, Annual Conference: University of Reading (3-5 September).

2003 Guijarro-Fuentes, P. & Clibbens, J. Cross-linguistic influences in simultaneous bilingualism: is it a question of dominance? Child Language Seminar: University of Newcastle (9-11 July).

2003 Arreckx, F., Clibbens, J. & Handley, S. Are difficulties with the False Belief task due to counterfactual situations or language processing? Child Language Seminar: University of Newcastle (9-11 July).

2002 Guijarro-Fuentes, P. & Clibbens, J. Tiempo y aspecto: ¿Diferencias entre niños monolingües y bilingües? Eurosla International Symposium on Bilingualism, University of Vigo, Spain (22-26 October).

2002 Powell, G.G. & Clibbens, J. Conversational maintenance strategies in multi-modal communication: cognitive underpinnings. Seventh Biennial ISAAC Research Symposium: Danish University of Education, Odense, Denmark (16-17 August).

2002 Clibbens, J. & Powell, G.G. Joint attention and augmentative and alternative communication. Seventh Biennial ISAAC Research Symposium: Danish University of Education, Odense, Denmark (16-17 August).

2002 Evans, J.St.B.T. & Clibbens, J. Explicit and implicit processes in multi-cue judgement. Experimental Psychology Society: University College London (3-4 January).

2001 Guijarro-Fuentes, P. & Clibbens, J. Verb movement in non-native grammars of Spanish. EUROSLA 11 (11th Annual Conference of the European Second Language Association): University of Paderborn, Germany (26-29 September).

2001 Guijarro-Fuentes, P. & Clibbens, J. V-raising parameter in L2 Spanish. GALA 2001 (Generative Approaches to Language Acquisition): Palmela, Portugal (14-16 September). (Poster).

2001 Arreckx, F. & Clibbens, J. Attitudes of deaf children's parents towards modes of communication. Child Language Seminar: University of Hertfordshire (9-11 July). (Poster).

2001 Clibbens, J. & Saxton, K. Input, attention and early language development in deaf children. Child Language Seminar: University of Hertfordshire (9-11 July).

2001 Cattani, A. & Clibbens, J. Atypical lateralisation of visual perception skills in deaf adults. 7th European Congress of Psychology: The Barbican Centre, London (2-6 July). (Poster).

2001 Holdsworth-Cannon, K. & Clibbens, J. Understanding of illness in children and young people. 7th European Congress of Psychology: The Barbican Centre, London (2-6 July). (Poster).

2000 Guijarro-Fuentes, P. & Clibbens, J. V-movement in SLA: one, two or three properties? EUROSLA 10 (10th Annual Conference of the European Second Language Association): Kraków, Poland (7-10 September).

2000 Powell, G.G. & Clibbens, J. Communicative competence in adults with learning disabilities. Third International Conference on Language and Cognitive Development in Down Syndrome: University of Portsmouth (6-8 September). (Poster).

1999 Holdsworth, K. & Clibbens, J. Age related differences in children's and young people's knowledge of illness: a British perspective. Psychology and the Renaissance of Health: 13th Conference of the European Health Psychology Society: Florence (1-3 October).

1999 Richards, L., Coventry, K.R. & Clibbens, J. Children's use of spatial prepositions: geometric and extra-geometric factors. Child Language Seminar: City University, London (2-4 September). (Poster).

1999 Clibbens, J., Harris, M. & Moore, L.J.K. Children's understanding of pronouns and substitutes in discourse. Child Language Seminar: City University, London (2-4 September).

 

Research degrees awarded to supervised students

Director of Studies:

Lois Moore. PhD, 1996. Reference and Representation in Down's Syndrome.

Gaye Powell. PhD, 1998. The Use of Metalinguistic Discourse Maintenance Strategies by Adults with Learning Disabilities.

Penny Fowler. PhD, 1999. Acquisition of Syntax in a Miniature Artificial Language: Effects of Input and Instruction.

Frederique Arreckx. PhD, 2007. Counterfactual Thinking and the False Belief Task: a Developmental Study.

Second Supervisor:

Rosalind Fisher. PhD, 1995. An Examination of the Role of the Teacher in Early Reading.

Aidan Feeney. PhD, 1996. Information Selection and Belief Updating in Hypothesis Evaluation.

Lynn Richards. PhD, 2001. Children's Production of Locative Expressions in English: the Influence of Geometric and Extra-Geometric Factors.

 

Grants & contracts

External Research Grants (since 1999):
 

Project grants:

2005-08 Clibbens, J. & Sheppard, M. Evaluation of a multiprofessional psychosocial intervention for children experiencing difficulties at school. Camborne-Pool-Redruth Success Zone (DfES). Three years. £86,197.

2005-07 Clibbens, J. & Farrand, P. Identifying core competencies in primary mental health care. National Institute for Mental Health in England (DoH). Two years. £69,905.

2005-06 McBrien, J., Whitwham, S., Clibbens, J., Ford, D. & Rogers, L. Predicting the capacity of residential homes to care for adults with learning disabilities and dementia in order to make recommendations for better practice. Devon Partnership NHS Trust/Plymouth Teaching Primary Care Trust, Research and Development Funding. One year. £5,000.

2003-05 Cattani, A., Clibbens, J. & Campbell, R. (UCL) Object processing in the two hemispheres in hearing and deaf adults. Economic and Social Research Council. Eighteen months. £44,808.

2000-02 Evans, J.St.B.T. & Clibbens, J. Implicit and explicit processes in multi-cue judgements. Economic and Social Research Council. Two years. £39,324.
 

Management of Externally Funded Projects:

2003-04 Mentor: ESRC Postdoctoral Fellowship awarded to Kevin Thomas. One year. £26,500.

2002-05 Member of steering group: Development and evaluation of Problem Based Learning in Clinical Psychology training programmes. HEFCE/DEL Fund for the Development of Teaching and Learning (awarded to universities of Exeter and Plymouth). Three years. £228,659.

2002-04 Project manager: Neuropsychology of memory and ageing. Research Institute for the Care of the Elderly, Bath. Two years. £48,315.

2000-03 Scientist in charge of project: Hemispheric specialisation of deaf and hearing adults in visual memory. Marie Curie Individual Fellowship (Category 30) awarded to Allegra Cattani. European Commission, Fifth Framework Programme. Two years. 114,272 Euro.

 

Publications

Papers in refereed journals (since 1999):

Clibbens, J. & Sheppard, M. (2007): Are children with learning disabilities really ‘children first’? A needs and outcome evaluation of policy. Social and Public Policy Review, 1, 2.
Cattani, A., Clibbens, J. & Perfect, T.J. (2007): Visual memory for shapes in deaf signers and non-signers and in hearing signers and non-signers: atypical lateralization and enhancement. Neuropsychology, 21, 114-121.

Cattani, A. & Clibbens, J. (2005): Atypical lateralisation of memory for location: Effects of deafness and sign language use. Brain and Cognition, 58, 226-239.

Evans, J.St.B.T., Clibbens, J. & Harris, A. (2005): Prior belief and polarity in multicue learning. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 58A, 651-665.

Guijarro-Fuentes, P. & Clibbens, J. (2004): Adquisición de las propiedades morfosintácticas del español por parte de niños bilingües en etapas avanzadas. Estudios de Sociolingüística, 5, 107-128.

Richards, L.V., Coventry, K.R. & Clibbens, J. (2004): Where’s the orange? Geometric and extra-geometric influences on English children’s descriptions of spatial locations. Journal of Child Language, 31, 153-175.

Evans, J.St.B.T., Clibbens, J., Cattani, A., Harris, A. & Dennis, I. (2003): Explicit and implicit processes in multicue judgment. Memory and Cognition, 31, 608-618.

Clibbens, J., Powell, G.G. & Atkinson, E. (2002): Strategies for achieving joint attention when signing to children with Down's syndrome. International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders, 37, 309-323.

Guijarro-Fuentes, P. & Clibbens, J. (2002): Las pruebas de gramáticalidad: ¿Instrumentos fiables en la recogida de datos en el español como L2? Revista Española de Lingüística Aplicada, 15, 53-71.

Coventry, K.R. & Clibbens, J. (2002): Does complex behaviour imply complex cognitive abilities? Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 25, 406.

Clibbens, J. (2001): Signing and lexical development in children with Down syndrome. Down Syndrome Research and Practice, 7, 101-105.

Clibbens, J. (2000): Group discussion workshops in advanced undergraduate teaching: an evaluation. Psychology Teaching Review, 9, 11-15.

Feeney, A., Evans, J.St.B.T. & Clibbens, J. (2000): Background beliefs and evidence interpretation. Thinking and Reasoning, 6, 97-124.
 

Edited books (since 1999):

Guijarro-Fuentes, P., Larranaga, M.P. & Clibbens, J. (eds) (in press): First Language Acquisition of Morphology and Syntax: Perspectives across Languages and Learners. Amsterdam: John Benjamins.
von Tetzchner, S. & Clibbens, J.(eds) (2001): Understanding the Theoretical and Methodological Bases of Augmentative and Alternative Communication: Proceedings of the Sixth Biennial Research Symposium of the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Toronto: ISAAC Publications
Loncke, F., Clibbens, J., Arvidson, H.H. & Lloyd, L.L. (eds) (1999): Augmentative and Alternative Communication: New Directions in Research and Practice. London: Whurr.

 

Chapters in books (since 1999):

Clibbens, J. & Powell, G.G. (2003): The cognitive bases of augmentative and alternative communication. In S. von Tetzchner & M.H. Jensen (eds): Perspectives on Theory and Practice in Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Toronto: ISAAC Publications. Pp. 262-270.

Powell, G.G. & Clibbens, J. (2003): Augmentative Communication. In J.A. Rondal & S. Buckley (eds): Speech and Language Intervention in Down Syndrome. London: Whurr. Pp. 116-131.

Clibbens, J. & Powell, G.G. (2003): Joint attention and lexical development in typical and atypical communication. In S. von Tetzchner & N. Grove (eds): Augmentative and Alternative Communication: Developmental Issues. London: Whurr. Pp. 28-37.

Cattani, A. & Clibbens, J. (2003): Memoria per la posizione spaziale e specializzazione emisferica in adulti sordi e udenti: studio preliminare. In M. C. Usai & M. Zanobini (eds): Psicologia del Ciclo di Vita. Milan: FrancoAngeli. Pp. 393-403.

Loncke, F., Clibbens, J., Arvidson, H.H. & Lloyd, L.L. (1999): Introduction. In F. Loncke, J. Clibbens, H.H. Arvidson & L.L. Lloyd (eds): Augmentative and Alternative Communication: New Directions in Research and Practice. London: Whurr. Pp. xix-xx.

Cooper, M. & Clibbens, J. (1999): Talking to babies: effects of an early language intervention approach with infants aged nine to eighteen months. In M. Garman, C. Letts, B. Richards, C. Schelletter & S. Edwards (eds): Issues in Normal and Disordered Child Language: from Phonology to Narrative. Reading: University of Reading (New Bulmershe Papers). Pp. 189-203.
 

Papers in published conference proceedings (since 1999):

Guijarro-Fuentes, P. & Clibbens, J. (2002): Verb raising parameter in L2 Spanish. Proceedings of the GALA 2001 Conference on Language Acquisition. Lisboa: Associação Portuguesa de Linguistica.

Clibbens, J. & von Tetzchner, S. (2001): Introduction. In S. von Tetzchner & J. Clibbens (eds): Understanding the Theoretical and Methodological Bases of Augmentative and Alternative Communication: Proceedings of the Sixth Biennial Research Symposium of the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Toronto: ISAAC Publications.

 

Reports & invited lectures

 

Invited Keynote/Plenary Presentations (since 1999):

2007 Clibbens, J. Signing and communication development in Down syndrome. Invited plenary presentation: Down Syndrome Research Directions Symposium: Portsmouth (23-27 October).

2007 Clibbens, J. Language development – signing, talking, vocabulary and grammar. Invited participant in plenary panel discussion: Down Syndrome Research Directions Symposium: Portsmouth (23-27 October).

2007 Clibbens, J., Risks of behaviour difficulties and approaches to intervention. Invited participant in plenary panel discussion: Down Syndrome Research Directions Symposium: Portsmouth (23-27 October).

2006 Clibbens, J. Language and communication development in Down syndrome. Invited presentation: Modern Approaches in Learning Disabilities: 6th Annual Conference, Developmental Disability Research and Education Group: University of Exeter (20-21 March).

2005 Clibbens, J. Signing and communication development in Down syndrome. Invited keynote address: Fourth International Conference on Developmental Issues in Down Syndrome: University of Portsmouth (15-18 September).

2000 Clibbens, J. Signing and lexical development in children with Down syndrome. Invited keynote address: Third International Conference on Language and Cognitive Development in Down Syndrome: University of Portsmouth (6-8 September).

1999 Clibbens, J. Input, attention and early language development. Invited presentation: Developmental Disorders: From Diagnosis to Intervention: British Psychological Society, South-West Branch, Scientific Meeting: Treliske Hospital, Truro, Cornwall (4 December).

Invited Lectures/Colloquia (since 1999):

2007 Clibbens, J. Aspects of communication development in Down syndrome. Invited research seminar, Department of Psychology, Oxford Brookes University (28 November).
2003 Clibbens, J. Language development in Down syndrome. Invited address: Down Syndrome Association, Plymouth Branch (8 September).

2002 Clibbens, J. Characterising language impairment in Down syndrome. Invited Lecture: First Postgraduate Seminar on Advances in Logopedics: Diagnosis of Communication Impairments. Universitat Jaume I, Castelló de la Plana, Spain (27 September).

2001 Clibbens, J. Input, attention and early language in typical and atypical development. Invited Research Seminar: School of Community, Health Sciences and Social Care, University of Salford (15 May).

2000 Clibbens, J. Input, attention and early language development in deaf children. Invited Research Seminar: Department of Psychology, University of Derby (27 November).

1999 Clibbens, J. Linguistic and cognitive performance in Down syndrome and Williams syndrome. Invited Research Seminar: Department of Psychology, University of Hertfordshire (11 March).

Invitational Seminars, Workshops and Study Days (since 1999):

2003 Clibbens, J., Guijarro-Fuentes, P. & Powell, G.G. Language development and Down syndrome: recent work and future plans. Down Syndrome Research Forum: Sarah Duffen Centre, Department of Psychology, University of Portsmouth (27-28 October).

2003 Cattani, A. & Clibbens, J. Communicating at work as a hearing-impaired research psychologist. ESRC Invitational Seminar: Research Methodology and Deaf Studies: University of Central Lancashire, Preston (24 April).

2002 Clibbens, J., Guijarro-Fuentes, P. & Powell, G.G. Characterising language impairment in Down syndrome. Down Syndrome Research Forum: Sarah Duffen Centre, Department of Psychology, University of Portsmouth (23-24 May).

2002 Handley, S.J., Clibbens, J. & Barlow, K. Counterfactual reasoning, context and Asperger's syndrome. Invitational Seminar: Cognitive Processes and Context in Counterfactual Thinking, I. Instituto Superior de Psicologia Aplicada, Lisbon (16-17 May).

2001 Clibbens, J. Facilitator: working group on language assessment. BPS Invitational Seminar: Infant Assessment, I. Institute of Child Health, University College London (28 June).

2001 Cattani, A. & Clibbens, J. Visual hemispheric specialisation in deaf and hearing adults: a pilot study. Invited presentation: Study Workshop: Language in Gesture: Implications for the Organisation of language in the Brain: Department of Human Communication Science, University College London (29 January).

2000 Clibbens, J. Lang, L. & May, D. Deaf adults working with young deaf children and their families. ESRC Invitational Seminar: Deafness and Education: Birmingham (11-13 February).

 

Conferences organised

National/International Conferences Organised:

1993 Child Language Seminar. University of Plymouth, 5th - 7th April.

1994 Empowering Families: International Conference celebrating U.N. International Year of the Family. University of Plymouth, 11th-15th July. (Member of organising committee and Psychology stream leader).

1996-97 Cognition and Deafness: ESRC Research Seminars. University of Plymouth:

I: Developmental and Educational Issues, 30th November-1st December, 1996: Grand Hotel, Plymouth.

II: Perception, Memory and Language, 17th-18th April, 1997: University of Plymouth.

III: Deafness, Sign Language and Cognition, 15th-16th November, 1997: Burwalls Conference Centre, University of Bristol.

1998 Fifth ISAAC Symposium on Research in Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland, 28th-29th August. (Co-organiser).

1999 Developmental Disorders: from Diagnosis to Intervention: British Psychological Society, South-West Branch, Scientific Meeting. Treliske Hospital, Truro, Cornwall, 4th December. (Co-organiser).

2000 Sixth ISAAC Symposium on Research in Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Washington DC, USA, 7th-8th August. (Lead organiser).

2004 Child Language Seminar. University of the West of England, Bristol, 12th-14th July. (Co-organiser).

2007 British Psychological Society, Developmental Psychology Section, Annual Conference, University of Plymouth. (Lead organiser).

Research Symposia organised:

1996 Grove, N., Clibbens, J., Barnett, S. & Loncke, F. Constructing Theoretical Models of Augmentative and Alternative Communication. International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Fourth International Symposium on Research in AAC: Vancouver, BC, Canada (11-12 August).

1996 Clibbens, J., Grove, N. & Powell, G.G. Manual Signing and AAC: Issues for Research and Practice. Communication Matters: International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication, National Symposium: University of Lancaster (23-24 September).

2002 Clibbens, J. (Moderator) The cognitive bases of augmentative and alternative communication. International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Seventh International Symposium on Research in AAC: Danish University of Education, Odense (16-17 August).

2005 Clibbens, J. & Gilbert, A. (Chairs) Development and Disability. HIIR in Plymouth (Health & Social Care Interdisciplinary Innovation and Research Conference): University of Plymouth (10-11 March).

2005 Skirton, H. & Clibbens, J. (Chairs) The Arts and Health. HIIR in Plymouth (Health & Social Care Interdisciplinary Innovation and Research Conference): University of Plymouth (10-11 March).

2005 Clibbens, J. (Chair) & Meehan, J (Co-convenor) Counterfactual Thinking in Children. XIIth European Conference on Developmental Psychology: Tenerife, Spain (24-28 August).

2005 Clibbens J (Organizer and Chair) Innovative memory services for adults with intellectual disabilities, with special reference to Down’s syndrome. Vth European Congress on Mental Health in Mental Retardation. Barcelona, Spain (6-8 October).

2006 Clibbens, J. & Beck, S.R. (Convenors) Aspects of counterfactual and contrary-to-fact thinking in children. British Psychological Society, Developmental Psychology Section, Annual Conference: Royal Holloway University of London (7-9 September).