Web cookies (also called HTTP cookies, browser cookies, or simply cookies) are small pieces of data that websites store on your device (computer, phone, etc.) through your web browser. They are used to remember information about you and your interactions with the site.
Purpose of Cookies:
Session Management:
Keeping you logged in
Remembering items in a shopping cart
Saving language or theme preferences
Personalization:
Tailoring content or ads based on your previous activity
Tracking & Analytics:
Monitoring browsing behavior for analytics or marketing purposes
Types of Cookies:
Session Cookies:
Temporary; deleted when you close your browser
Used for things like keeping you logged in during a single session
Persistent Cookies:
Stored on your device until they expire or are manually deleted
Used for remembering login credentials, settings, etc.
First-Party Cookies:
Set by the website you're visiting directly
Third-Party Cookies:
Set by other domains (usually advertisers) embedded in the website
Commonly used for tracking across multiple sites
Authentication cookies are a special type of web cookie used to identify and verify a user after they log in to a website or web application.
What They Do:
Once you log in to a site, the server creates an authentication cookie and sends it to your browser. This cookie:
Proves to the website that you're logged in
Prevents you from having to log in again on every page you visit
Can persist across sessions if you select "Remember me"
What's Inside an Authentication Cookie?
Typically, it contains:
A unique session ID (not your actual password)
Optional metadata (e.g., expiration time, security flags)
Analytics cookies are cookies used to collect data about how visitors interact with a website. Their primary purpose is to help website owners understand and improve user experience by analyzing things like:
How users navigate the site
Which pages are most/least visited
How long users stay on each page
What device, browser, or location the user is from
What They Track:
Some examples of data analytics cookies may collect:
Page views and time spent on pages
Click paths (how users move from page to page)
Bounce rate (users who leave without interacting)
User demographics (location, language, device)
Referring websites (how users arrived at the site)
Here’s how you can disable cookies in common browsers:
1. Google Chrome
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top-right corner.
Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data.
Choose your preferred option:
Block all cookies (not recommended, can break most websites).
Block third-party cookies (can block ads and tracking cookies).
2. Mozilla Firefox
Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner.
Go to Settings > Privacy & Security.
Under the Enhanced Tracking Protection section, choose Strict to block most cookies or Custom to manually choose which cookies to block.
3. Safari
Open Safari and click Safari in the top-left corner of the screen.
Go to Preferences > Privacy.
Check Block all cookies to stop all cookies, or select options to block third-party cookies.
4. Microsoft Edge
Open Edge and click the three horizontal dots in the top-right corner.
Go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Cookies and site permissions.
Select your cookie settings from there, including blocking all cookies or blocking third-party cookies.
5. On Mobile (iOS/Android)
For Safari on iOS: Go to Settings > Safari > Privacy & Security > Block All Cookies.
For Chrome on Android: Open the app, tap the three dots, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies.
Be Aware:
Disabling cookies can make your online experience more difficult. Some websites may not load properly, or you may be logged out frequently. Also, certain features may not work as expected.
Dr. Cuevas (Ph.D. Rutgers University) is an associate professor of psychological sciences at the University of Connecticut and Director of the CAP Lab. Her postdoctoral training (Virginia Tech) was in developmental cognitive neuroscience, with a focus on executive functions. Dr. Cuevas' research program examines the development of basic and higher-order cognitive processes throughout infancy and early childhood, including brain-behavior associations. In addition to being a developmental scientist, she is a mother of two young girls and enjoys spending time with her children as she gets to witness "development in action" on a daily basis!
Kelsey Davinson, M.S.
Graduate Student
Kelsey is a fourth-year graduate student at UConn. Her research interests include the behavioral and neural bases of memory development. She moved to Connecticut from California and has fallen in love with the fall season. In her free time, she loves hiking and exploring with her dogs.
Sarah Mannella, B.A.
Project Coordinator
Sarah is a UConn graduate with a B.A. in psychological sciences. She has enjoyed working with adolescents for the past 11 years and is eager to explore the field of developmental research with infants and toddlers in the CAP Lab. In her free time Sarah enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 young daughters, hiking, and caring for her plant collection.
Nour al Zaghloul, B.A.
Research Assistant
Nour is a professional researcher with a Bachelor's in Psychology from UC Davis. She has spent the last decade in developmental research working with youth from pre-natal to pre-teen and is excited to explore new facets of research with the CAP lab. When not in the lab, they can be found cooking up a storm or reading furiously about their latest interest.
Livia Goulart da Trindade, B.A.
Research Assistant
Livia is a full-time research assistant in the CAP Lab and recent graduate of UMass Boston with a B.A. in Psychology and Cognitive Science. During her studies, Livia discovered her passion for children’s cognitive development, especially in the areas of learning and attention. In her free time, she enjoys watching K-dramas, playing volleyball, and spending time with her puppy, Tuna.
Casey Blumetti
Research Assistant
Casey is a senior at UConn majoring in psychological sciences. After working with children in the past, she is excited to learn more about infants and see if this field of research aligns with her future goals. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, going on walks, journaling and playing music.
Hannah Cipriano
Research Assistant
Hannah is a junior at UConn majoring in psychological sciences. After completing her bachelor's degree, she plans to obtain a master’s degree in social work. She aims to use her MSW to work with those struggling with addiction, specifically adolescents, as a substance abuse counselor. During her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, and spending time with her friends, family, and three cats.
Cecilia DeBruycker
Research Assistant
Cecilia is a junior at UConn majoring in psychological sciences with a minor in Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS). She has enjoyed working with children for the past 4 years and she is now enthusiastic about delving into research to learn more about infants. In her free time, she finds joy in the company of her dog, friends, and family.
Raynia Martinez
Research Assistant
Raynia earned her B.A. in psychological sciences with a minor in Human Development and Family Sciences from UConn in the spring of 2024. She is now working toward her goal of pursuing her Master's in social work at UConn. In her free time she enjoys reading, dancing, learning new things, exploring her interests in more depth, and spending time with family.
Ali Mohiuddin
Research Assistant
Ali is a senior at UConn, majoring in Linguistics/Psychology with a minor in Human Development and Family Sciences (HDFS). His academic interests include developmental psychology as well as language development. Aliintends to continue studying in a psychology-related graduate program after obtaining his bachelor’s degree.In his free time, he enjoys drawing, painting, cooking, baking, and spending time with family.
Pearlina Tran
Research Assistant
Pearlina is a senior at UConn, with a double major in psychological sciences and human development and family sciences and a minor in neuroscience. After obtaining her bachelor’s degree, she plans to pursue a master’s degree in surgical neurophysiology. In her free time, she enjoys exploring nature, reading, painting, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.
Lauren Bryant, Ph.D.
Research Associate
Lauren is a former UConn graduate student, earning a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology (2020). Her doctoral dissertation focuses on executive functions and reward sensitivity during early childhood. Lauren is currently an assistant professor at Sacred Heart University.