Theano Kokkinaki

  • Department of Psychology
  • Office: Α1.111, 1st Floor , Building Α1
  • 28310 – 77536
  • kokkinaki@uoc.gr
  • Full CV

Brief CV

I graduated from the Department of Psychology at the University of Crete and I received my Ph.D. degree [as a scholar of the Public Benefit Foundation “Alexandros S. Onassis”, the Vardinogiannio Foundation and the Institute of Technology and Research (Ι.Τ.Ε.)] from the University of Edinburgh in Developmental Psychology. My research interest is focused on the study of dynamic spontaneous naturalistic dyadic and triadic interactions of infants with Significant Others (mother, father, maternal/paternal grandfather and grandmother, twin infant brother/sister) in cross-cultural frames and in different contexts (rural and urbal areas). The corollary of this research activity is numerous scientific papers in the field of Developmental Psychology and particularly in emotional/social development in the course of early infancy.

Career Development

  • University of Crete (1998 – Today)
    • Faculty Member

Research Interests

My research interests are focusing on the systematic study of spontaneous interpersonal behavioral expressions in interactions of young infants with Significant Others. Particularly, I am interested in micro-analysis of emotional coordination taking place in free interactions of infants with sensitive caretakers. I am also interested in micro-analysis of basic aspects of spontaneous imitation (e.g. frequency, type, temporal structure, developmental course) in infant-Significant Other interactions and in certain features of parental infant-directed speech (e.g. content, structure) in the first semester of life.

Selected Research Grants

  • Comparing maternal and paternal speech in the family culture of firstborn and secondborn infants. Special Account of the University of Crete [2019-2020]
  • Intersubjectivity in the paternal infant-directed questions. Special Account of the University of Crete [2017-2018]
  • Temporal organization of facial expressions of emotion in infant-parent spontaneous interaction. Special Account of the University of Crete [2014-2015]
  • Maternal grandmothers as communicative partners to their infant grandchildren. Special Account of the University of Crete [2013-2014]

Selected Publications

  • Kokkinaki, T., Vasdekis, V.G.S., & Devouche, E. (2019, in press). Maternal and paternal infant-directed speech to girls and boys: An exploratory study. European Journal of Developmental Psychology. Published online: 01 Aug 2019 Doi:10.1080/17405629.2019.1646123
  • Kokkinaki, T. (2018). Maternal and paternal infant-directed speech in the family culture of first- and second-born infants. Paper accepted for publication in Early Child Development and Care.
  • Kokkinaki, T., & Markodimitraki, Μ. (2017). Spontaneous emotional coordination of first-born dizygotic twins and singletons with their mothers in early infancy. European Journal of Developmental Psychology. Doi:10.1080/17405629.2017.137590
  • Kokkinaki, T. (2017). Paternal questioning as a component of innate intersubjectivity in early infancy. Early Child Development and Care.
  • Kokkinaki, T., Vasdekis, V. G. S., Koufaki, Z., & Trevarthen, C. (2017). Coordination of emotions in mother-infant dialogues. Infant and Child Development. Version of Record online: 25 April 2016. Doi: 10.1002/icd.1973
  • Kokkinaki, T. (2009). Emotional expressions during early infant-father conversation. European Journal of Developmental Psychology, 6(6), 705-721. Doi: 10.1080/17405620701848871.
  • Kokkinaki, T. (2008). Interactive silences within spontaneous early infant-father “dialogues”. Infant and Child Development, 17, 509-525. Doi: 10.1002/icd.568.
  • Kokkinaki, T. & Vasdekis, V.G.S. (2003). A cross-cultural study on early vocal imitative phenomena in different relationships. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 21(2), 85-101. Doi: 10.1080/0264683031000124055.
  • Kokkinaki, T. (2003). A longitudinal, naturalistic and cross-cultural study on emotions in early infant-parent imitative interactions. British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 21, 243-258. Doi: 10.1348/026151003765264066.

Courses offered at the Undergraduate Level

  • Developmental Psychology I: Fetal Development to Middle Childhood (PSY-1301)
  • Developmental Psychology II: Adolescence to Late Adulthood (PSY-2301)
  • Assessment of Executive Functions, Concentration and Attention in Children (Lab: PSY-4301 )
  • Topics of Infant Development (Seminar: PSY-3311)
  • Postnatal Depression: Implications for the Development of Children (Seminar: PSY-3302)

Courses offered at the Postgraduate Level

  • Contribution in the Course: ‘Introduction in Psychology and Social Neurosciences’ (Inter-Departmental Program of Postgraduate Studies ‘Brain and Mind’)