Faculty and Graduate Research Opportunities For Undergraduates
Please note some opportunities listed are held over from past semesters;
please contact the individual researchers for information on future opportunities.
Also, please note that this is not a complete list; you may also want
to review the list of Faculty Research Interests and contact faculty whose interests correspond with yours.
NOTE: These ads are for undergraduate research
assistants; compensation is research experience credit or work-study pay
based on a financial aid award. These positions are not available to graduate
students seeking stipend support.
You can either scroll through the entire list, or click below to go directly
to the area in which you are most interested:
Non-department opportunities (good experience, elective credit available)
Margaret Marks, M.A. and Dr. Kathy Bieschke (Counseling Psychology)
Non-departmental Research Opportunity (Counseling psychology research credits available) Note: this opportunity is not available for PSYCH credit.
Are you interested in factors that influence graduate training in psychology? Undergraduate research assistant needed to work on a dissertation research project in the Counseling Psychology department. Responsibilities may consist of completing Institution Review Board (IRB) paperwork (you will learn about different components and requirements of IRB’s for universities inside and outside of Penn State University); assisting with procedures for participant recruitment and tracking of data; and learning how to use SPSS for data entry, perhaps manage data (if interested), and possibly learn how to help out with some data analysis (if interested). Training and supervision are provided.
Research assistants will receive research course credits up to 3 semesters. Generally, one credit is given for every 3 hrs of work per week, although actual hrs worked may vary. You will gain knowledge about graduate training programs as well as valuable research skills. This is an excellent opportunity for students interested in learning more about clinical and counseling graduate programs.
Students must be motivated, conscientious, and responsible. Candidates must give a 2-semester commitment to the project and be able to work at least 5-7 hrs/week. Preference will be given to students with a 3.33 or higher G.P.A. (in psychology or other relevant classes) and a 3.0 GPA overall. If you’re interested please contact Margaret Marks, M.A. (mmm452@psu.edu).
Dr. Elizabeth Skowron (Counseling Psychology)
Non-departmental Research Opportunity (Counseling psychology research credits available) Note: this opportunity is not available for PSYCH credit.
Undergraduate research assistants needed to work on an NIH-funded study of at-risk families. Responsibilities may consist of data entry, transcription, assisting with family lab visits, and work on an observational coding team. Opportunities may be available to train in how to work ECG monitoring and video recording equipment during laboratory visits. Experience with research and/or with children is preferred. Training and supervision are provided. For more information about our Family Systems Lab, visit http://familysystemslab.psu.edu/ and contact Dr. Elizabeth Skowron.
Independent study research credit can be earned. Up to 10-15 hours a week of work study may be available.
Doug Teti, Ph.D.
Human Development and Family Studies
Project SIESTA
Now recruiting for Summer and Fall 2010 and Spring 2011
Description of Research: How do infants learn to fall asleep and stay asleep? What role do parents play in this? What influence does temperament have, and how does it all affect attachment and daytime functioning, as well as parental adaptation? SIESTA stands for the Study of Infants’ Emergent Sleep TrAjectories. Project SIESTA will follow infants from 1 month to 2 years of age, collecting data from the infants, their mothers and fathers along the way. The study focuses on infant sleep, parent-infant relationships and infant cognitive and socio-emotional development. We are interested in understanding how sleep develops within the family unit across the first 2 years of age, how families adapt to infants’ sleep behaviors, how individual differences in sleep and parents’ attitudes toward sleep and their parenting behaviors impact infant and family outcomes. We will also examine other components of parenting and early child development, including behavior problems, compliance, and emotion regulation, among others. The scope of knowledge we will obtain about family development from this study is wide, and data collected from families will include questionnaires from both mothers and fathers as well as video recordings of parent-infant interactions in the home and in the lab.
Method of Compensation: Research assistants will receive up to 6 course credits (HDFS 497) over up to 3 semesters. Generally, one credit is given for every 3 hrs of work per week, although actual hrs worked may vary. You will gain knowledge about infant development parental adaptation, as well as valuable research skills. This is an excellent opportunity for students interested in learning more about human development in preparation for graduate school.
Requirements/Qualifications: Students must be motivated, conscientious, and responsible. Candidates must give at least a 2-semester commitment to the project and be able to work at least 10 hrs/week. Preference is given to students who will be available to work in the summer. Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to: participant recruitment, data collection, management, and analysis. If you’re interested please email Gail Mayer at gem173@psu.edu for an application.
The HUMAN ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY FACILITY, part of the new Social, Life, and Engineering Sciences Imaging Center, is currently recruiting RESEARCH ASSISTANTS for summer and fall terms. Research assistants are responsible for assisting multiple researchers, using the facility's EEG systems. No experience is necessary, and a minimum two-semester commitment is HIGHLY desirable. If you are interested, please contact Andrea Seisler, HEF Lab Manager, ars17@psu.edu. (posted June 2009)
Sheri Berenbaum
Sorry, full for Fall 2009. Now recruiting for Spring and Summer 2010.
Description of Research: Why do girls & boys behave in different ways? If you’re interested in gaining research experience while learning about biological influences on the development of sex-typed behavior, we are currently seeking motivated & responsible undergraduate research assistants to help collect, enter, & analyze data.
Method of Compensation: Research assistants will receive Research Project credits (PSY 494). Generally, one credit is given for every 3 hrs of work per week, although actual hrs worked may vary. You will gain knowledge about gender development & hormone-behavior relations, as well as valuable research skills. This is an excellent opportunity for students interested in learning more about human neuroscience or developmental psychology in preparation for graduate school.
Requirements/Qualifications: Students must be motivated, conscientious, & responsible. Candidates must give at least a 3-semester commitment to the lab, & be able to work at least 10 hrs/week (including 1 hour for a lab meeting). Preference is given to students who will be available to work in the summer and to those who are interested in pursuing research careers. If you’re interested & want to learn more about the lab, please complete an application on-line at http://www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/s/a/sab31/application.html
Frederick M. Brown
863-1716, f3b@psu.edu
NOW RECRUITING FOR FALL 2009 and SPRING 2010
Description of Research: Daily (circadian) rhythms of our daytime activity and nighttime sleeping affect all our basic behaviors and mental functioning. Some of these highly predictable rhythms are studied in our Human Performance Rhythms Laboratory (354 Moore). We have developed a Basic Language Morningness (BALM) scale that measures the time of day when people like to be active the most. Also, we have just developed a Sleep-Disruption Survey to determine how often, and for how long, people spontaneously wake up during the night, and what they do about it. We also study sleep-deprivation effects on practical issues like vehicle driving performance and working memory and are prepared to measure sleep deprivation using high-density EEG.
Requirements: Sophomore or Junior level with graduate school intentions; must have completed Psych 301 and Stat 200 (or its equivalent), and must be computer literate for data management and analysis. Because of the start-up training time especially for learning high-density EEG, we expect a student to remain in the laboratory for at least two semesters.
Method of Compensation: Although students can earn from 1-6 course credits per semester for Psych 294 or 494, 3 credits maximum is suggested for Psych 294 while training in the laboratory the first semester, and Psych 494 thereafter. The experience is excellent for learning several ways to collect data that measure effects of daily time fluctuations on our behavior. Several of our students have received laboratory externship and fellowship experiences beyond Penn State which have bolstered their applications for graduate and medical programs. Honors options are available that can become Psych 496 Independent Studies or Senior Thesis Research projects.
Dr. Doug Teti (HDFS)
dteti@psu.edu
We are looking for undergraduate volunteers, perhaps for course credit, to assist in a project that is investigating the neuroscience of emotion regulation in parents. We are using EEG techniques to assess mothers’ emotional responses and regulation to parenting and child-related stimuli. This is an innovative project that is on the cutting edge of the field. The goal of the project is to develop new procedures to identify parents at risk, which can be used both in research and applied settings.
Eligible undergraduates would be juniors or seniors next fall. We are interested in research assistants available to start this summer (if possible) and continue during the fall and spring. You will receive training in assisting with EEG lab visits, as well as home visits that include questionnaire and family observation.
If you are interested, please contact Dr. Doug Teti (dteti@psu.edu). Please include your year of schooling as of next fall, your academic interests, GPA, and one or two references. Note: this opportunity is not available for PSYCH credit.
William Ray, Ph.D.
Psychophysiology Lab
Description of Research: We are interested in studying gender differences in the detection of deception. We have recently conducted an experiment in which female interrogators administered polygraph examinations to participants who either stole money from an office, or were innocent of the theft, to detect deception regarding guilty knowledge. We will now be running the same experiment with male interrogators so that we may investigate the effects of interrogator gender on the success of detecting deception.
Method of Compensation: Undergraduate assistants may receive independent study credits.
Requirements/Qualifications: We are looking for highly motivated and responsible undergraduate students who have an interest in psychophysiology.
Contact Information: Interested students should contact Dr. Ray (wjr@psu.edu) for more details.
Peter Arnett, Ph.D.
NEUROPSYCHOLOGY RESEARCH LAB
NOW RECRUITING FOR FALL 2009 and SPRING 2010
Contact information:
Fiona Barwick (fhb103@psu.edu)
Amanda Rabinowitz (arr200@psu.edu)
Gray Vargas (gay111@psu.edu)
Dede Ukueberuwa (dedemu@psu.edu)
Description of Research: Our research looks at changes in cognitive, affective, and behavioral functioning that result from brain injury or disease. We investigate brain injury in college athletes who have suffered mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) due to concussion. We also examine psychosocial factors, specifically depression, in the context of multiple sclerosis (MS), a common and debilitating disease of the central nervous system. Undergraduate research assistants will be trained to score standardized measurements, enter data, and use statistical software. They will also attend lab meetings and, depending upon interest and ability, participate in other lab projects. Experience in a research lab exposes students to research design and implementation, allows students to understand the clinical applications of such research, and provides students with advice and training that enhance their applications to graduate and medical school programs.
Requirements/Qualifications: We are looking for motivated, conscientious, and responsible undergraduate students with a minimum GPA of 3.2 who are interested in research experience in clinical psychology. Interested students must be able to commit a minimum of 2 semesters to the lab, 6-9 hours per week during the semester. Preference is given to students with interests in pursuing graduate training in the mental health field, or medical training in neurology, neurosurgery, or psychiatry.
Methods of Compensation: Undergraduate research assistants receive 1 Independent Study (Psy 296) or 1 Research Project (Psy 494) credit for every 3 hours worked. Students can earn up to 3 course credits for 9 hours of work per week. Opportunities to continue work in the lab may be available over summers and beyond the current academic year. Honors options for Psy 496 Independent Studies or Senior Thesis Research projects may be available after 2 semesters of participation and satisfactory performance in the lab. Please contact one of the above graduate students for more details and to schedule an interview. In your email, include your current year of schooling, your major or academic interests, your GPA, and any prior research experience.
Sandra Azar
Now recruiting
Description of Research: Dr. Sandra T. Azar’s research
lab studies a variety of issues including inter-personal violence, at-risk
child and adolescent populations, and parenting processes. Previous projects
from the Azar lab have examined dating violence, child abuse, and peer
aggression. Current studies in the lab focus on resilience to divorce,
adolescent to parent violence, and maternal mental retardation and neglect.
The diversity of projects in the lab allows for a wide range of experiences
for undergraduate research assistants. Undergraduate assistants may be
trained to score standardized behavioral rating scales, enter data, conduct
literature searches, and gain experience with statistical software. Exceptional
students may participate in home visits with study participants. In addition,
weekly lab meetings provide a forum to discuss theory and clinical applications
of the research, to address any questions that arise from work in the
lab, and provide career guidance.
Method of Compensation: Undergraduate assistants may
receive course credit (Psy 494) for 10 hours per week of work. To obtain
course credit, students are required to complete readings, to attend lab
meetings and to write a paper. Students who qualify for Work-Study are
encouraged to apply, as you may be able to earn money working in our lab.
Honors options for Senior Thesis research projects may be available after
2 semesters of participation and satisfactory performance in the lab.
Requirements/Qualifications: Due to the intensive training
involved, we require at least a 2 semester commitment and a minimum GPA
of 3.0. Students find the extended commitment provides them with an opportunity
to become involved in the work team as well as to get advice about jobs
and graduate school, while having a substantive experience in a research
lab. Preference is given to Sophomores or Juniors with interests in pursuing
either graduate training in mental health or careers related to children.
Please note we can currently accommodate about 2-4 more enthusiastic and
responsible undergraduates.
Contact Information: Please contact one of Sandra Azar’s
graduate students: Daisy Tsao (daisytsao@psu.edu),Yuko Okado (okado@psu.edu),
Kristin Read (kxr257@psu.edu),
or Stephon Proctor, snp134@psu.edu,
for more details and to schedule an interview.
Louis G. Castonguay, Ph.D.
NOW RECRUITING FOR FALL 2009 and SPRING 2010
Description of Research: Louis Castonguay's primary research interest concerns the process and outcome of different forms of psychotherapy. He studies the nature and impact of the therapist's interventions, client's experience, and the therapeutic relationship. He has also been involved in the development and investigation of integrative therapies (combining cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, interpersonal, and psychodynamic procedures) for depression and generalized anxiety disorder. He is also involved in the development of Practice Research Networks, which are designed to foster researcher and clinician collaboration in conducting naturalistic studies in psychotherapy and related fields of research.
Requirements/Qualifications: Looking for students who are bright, highly motivated, and responsible, interested in pursuing doctoral level studies, and can juggle multiple projects. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.2 and be able to commit approximately 10 hours per week during the semester.
Method of Compensation: Research assistants will receive Independent Study credits or Work Study opportunities. Generally, one hour of credit is given for every three hours of work per week, although actual hours worked may vary. There are opportunities for work study if you are eligible. Advanced students may have the opportunity to be involved in writing of journal articles and presentations for conferences. Research assistants will also gain valuable research skills and the potential for letters of recommendation to aid in graduate school applications. This is an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in preparation for doctoral studies in clinical psychology or related areas. Please contact one of the above graduate students for more details and to schedule an interview. In your email, include your current year of schooling, your major or academic interests, your GPA, and any prior research experience.
Contact information:
James Boswell (jfb197@psu.edu)
Andrew McAleavey (andrew.mcaleavey@gmail.com)
Dana Nelson (dbn111@psu.edu)
Samuel Nordberg (ssn119@psu.edu)
Pamela Cole
Now Recruiting
There are 3 projects in our lab that have research opportunities for undergraduate students. Each involves the integration of clinical and developmental psychology.
The Development of Toddlers Study (DOTS) is a longitudinal study of the early development of emotion regulation. The study began when our participants were 18 months old. In 2007 we completed data collection, when the children were 5 years old. We saw them 5 times in the lab and 4 times at home so we have a wealth of data. We are now working hard to (a) code video and audio records of the children at different ages, (b) complete data entry, and (c) analyze the data to see what we have learned. If you are interested in this project, contact Michele Kelly at mas70@psu.edu
The Bliss & Blues of Parenting studies are a collaboration with several Penn State researchers. Our aims are to examine methods for studying emotion regulation in parents. Currently, our Minds of Mothers (MOMS) project involves coding parental emotion from video records and our Bliss & Blues II study involves using experience sampling method (ESM) to capture day to day emotions that parents have. If you are interested in either of these projects, contact Michele Kelly at mas70@psu.edu
Project SIESTA, in collaboration with Dr Doug Teti and other colleagues, is just starting. It involves the study of the role of parenting in infant development of self-regulated sleep. Our lab’s contribution is examining the functional effects of infant sleep quality on the infant’s daily emotional functioning. Involvement in this project will include getting the project up and running. If you are interested in this project, please contact Pamela Cole at pmc5@psu.edu
The MECCA (Mothers, Emotional Competence, and Cultural Attitudes) study is one arm of a five-country cross-cultural collaboration. The overarching goal of this project is to describe cultural differences in mothers’ beliefs about the socialization of child emotion. We examine maternal reports of their beliefs about emotional competence and the strategies they use when their children express different emotions. Involvement in this project will include interviewing local mothers and/or entering and organizing data. If you are interested in this project, please contact Daisy Tsao at dtt119@psu.edu.
Students can receive course credit (PSY 494) for 10 hours per week of work. Because of the extensive training involved, we do require a 10 hour per week time commitment. In addition, we have only taken students who can work for at least 2 semesters. Students find the extended commitment provides them with an opportunity to become well known in the lab, to get adequate advice about jobs and graduate school, and to have a substantive experience in a research lab. The lab is a supportive environment where undergraduates are encouraged to get involved in projects that interest them. We also have weekly meetings, which include discussions about theory and research related to the study, questions and comments about the work in the lab, and career counseling (resume workshop, career pathways).
Cynthia Huang-Pollock
Now recruiting
Description of Research: The Child Attention and Learning Lab is conducting research on the neuropsychological and emotional processes related to learning problems in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Research assistants acquire a host of marketable skills, including (but not limited to) training in the use of common statistical packages (e.g. SPSS, SAS) and computer programming packages (e.g. Eprime, Matlab) and the use/scoring of diagnostic behavior rating scales. Exceptional undergraduate RAs may also have the opportunity to work directly with children and their families in administering the tests of intellectual, academic achievement, and neuropsychological tests. Weekly lab meetings provide a forum to discuss theory and clinical application of the research, to address any questions that arise from work in the lab, and career guidance (e.g. applying to graduate schools, formatting vitas, how to write a competitive personal statement, and discussion of career options for psychology majors).
Method of Compensation: Undergraduate assistants may receive course credit (Psy 494) for 10 hours per week of work. Honors options for Senior Thesis research projects are available.
Requirements/Qualifications: Due to the intensive training involved, we require at least a 2 semester commitment and a minimum GPA of 3.5. Preference is given to Sophomores or Juniors with interests in pursuing graduate training in mental health.
Contact Information: Please visit our website:
http://childattention.psych.psu.edu/index.htm for more information on our work, bios of current and former RAs, and instructions on how to apply for a position in the lab.
Kenneth Levy, Ph.D.
Laboratory for Personality, Psychopathology, and Psychotherapy
Research
NOW RECRUITING
Description of Research: Developmental psychopathology,
attachment theory and research, mental representations, emotion regulation,
personality disorders, and psychotherapy process and outcome research.
Requirements/Qualifications: I am looking for people
who are bright, highly motivated, and responsible, seriously interested
in pursuing doctoral level studies, and have sufficient time to commit
to a project. In return I offer an opportunity to become involved in interesting
studies that will provide in-depth research experience, allow you to develop
your own interest within psychology, and enhance your applications to
graduate school. Students must have a 3.4 GPA and be able to commit to
a minimum of at least 9 hours per week during the semester and/or 15-20
hours per week during the summer, for at least two semesters. In addition,
students must be able to attend a weekly lab meeting.
Method of Compensation: Research assistants will receive
Research Project (PSY 294 or 494) credits or Work Study opportunities.
Generally, one hour of credit is given for every three hours of work per
week, although actual hours worked may vary. There are opportunities for
work study if you are eligible, and paid positions are possible after
a semester of participation. Honors options are available that can become
PSY 496 Independent Studies or Senior Thesis Research (PSY 493). Advanced
students may have the opportunity to be involved in writing of journal
articles and presentations for conferences. Research assistants will also
gain valuable research skills, bolster their applications for graduate
and medical school programs, and have the opportunity to develop their
interests within the field. They will gain knowledge about attachment
theory and assessment, personality disorders, and psychotherapy research
from a developmental psychopathology framework. This is an excellent opportunity
for anyone interested in preparation for doctoral studies in clinical
psychology or related areas. Additionally, working on research with a
faculty member gives faculty an opportunity to get to know you well enough
to write an effective letter of recommendation. Finally, several students
from our laboratory have received external laboratory fellowships and
experiences beyond Penn State, and many students in the lab have been
accepted into prestigious and competitive doctoral programs.
Contact Info: If you are interested in a position please
visit the laboratory website at: http://levylab.psych.psu.edu to fill out the “Research Assistant Application Form” located
in the “For Undergraduates” section. Please send your completed
application to Dr. Levy at klevy@psu.edu
Amy D. Marshall, Ph.D.
Relationship Research Lab
NOW RECRUITING FOR SUMMER AND FALL 2009
Description of Research: The mission of the research program being developed in the Relationship Research Lab is to focus on the examination of how posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) interacts with social information processing skills (e.g., attention to threat, recognition of emotions, couple communication patterns) to lead to relationship dysfunction and aggression. This model includes the study of interpersonal processes (e.g., reciprocal and multiplicative communication patterns) and contextual factors (e.g., emotional arousal) that may contribute to changes in information processing skills that are particularly important to the maintenance of adaptive close relationships. Undergraduate research assistants will primarily run study protocols and collect data from community couples recruited based on PTSD symptomotology and intimate partner violence perpetration. Research assistants may also be trained to code couples' videotaped conflict discussions, conduct recruitment interviews, search relevant literature, develop study stimuli, manage databases, and generally use your skills and creativity to assist in the development of new studies. In addition, lab meetings provide a forum to learn more about the topic under study and future opportunities in the field.
Method of Compensation: It is preferred that undergraduate research assistants earn independent research credit. Those eligible for work-study are also encouraged to apply. Research assistants will gain valuable research experience and faculty contact, especially helpful for those interested in pursuing graduate education.
Requirements/Qualifications: Highly motivated and responsible undergraduate students with an interest in clinical research are encouraged to apply. Students must have a 3.2 GPA. Preference is given to technologically competent students who are able to commit at least six hours per week to the lab (three hours of work for each hour of credit), as well as those who may be interested in continuing in the lab beyond the current semester.
Contact Information: Interested students should contact Kelly Parker-Maloney (ksp149@psu.edu) for more information and to schedule an interview.
Michelle G. Newman, Ph.D.
Anxiety and Emotion Research Lab
NOW RECRUITING
Description of Research: The mission of the research
being conducted in our lab is to explore and broaden our understanding
of the interaction between anxiety and emotional responding. Individuals
with anxiety disorders tend to describe their emotional experiences as
more threatening and harder to control than non-anxious individuals. They
also report greater levels of perceived arousal in response to emotional
stressors (e.g., aversive film clips). Paradoxically, these individuals
demonstrate less physiological responding to emotional exposures than
their non-anxious counterparts. The focus of our lab is to explore this
paradox through the observation of both subjective and physiological responding
to a range of emotional stimuli. We measure self report of emotional responding
in conjunction with heart rate, heart rate variability, skin conductance,
and salivary alpha-amylase data.
We are currently seeking several research assistants for Summer and Fall
of 2008 and Spring 2009 to help with multiple studies investigating generalized
anxiety disorder, affect intensity, and emotional avoidance. Undergraduate
research assistants may be trained to run subjects, extract physiological
data, search relevant literature, and maintain databases. Studies are
conducted in the Center for the Treatment of Anxiety and Depression.
Method of Compensation
: Undergraduate research assistants can participate on a volunteer basis,
although preference is given to those interested earning Research Project
(PSY 494) credits. Research assistants will gain valuable research experience
and faculty contact, especially helpful for those interested in pursuing
graduate education.
Requirements/Qualifications: Highly motivated and responsible undergraduate students with an interest in clinical research are encouraged to apply. Students must have a 3.2 GPA. Preference is given to technologically competent students who are able to commit at least six hours per week to the lab (three hours of work for each hour of credit), as well as those who may be interested in continuing in the lab beyond the current semester.
Contact Information: Interested students should contact Sandra Llera (sjl216@psu.edu) and Aaron Fisher (ajf226@psu.edu) for more information and to schedule an interview.
Aaron Pincus, Ph.D.
Positions Available for Fall 2009 and Spring 2010
Contact information:
Aaron Pincus: alp6@psu.edu, 863-1723
Description of Research: Research conducted in the personality psychology laboratory broadly applies personality theory and personality assessment methods to issues in clinical psychology. Current work focuses on:
A) Longitudinal investigations of intraindividual variability in interpersonal behavior and person-situation integration as it applies to normal personality, personality disorders, psychopathology, physical health, and emotional well-being.
B) Pathological narcissism and Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Conceptualization, etiology, assessment, and treatment.
We are currently seeking several research assistants for Fall 2009 and Spring 2010 to help with our NIA funded longitudinal study of personality, interpersonal behavior, emotion, health and aging. Students will learn about personality, psychopathology, longitudinal measurement, and daily diary methodologies. This is an excellent opportunity for students interested in learning more about personality, clinical psychology, and quantitative methods in preparation for graduate school.
Methods of Compensation: Research assistants will receive Research Project (PSY 294/494) credits. Generally, one hour of credit is given for every three hours of work per week, although actual hours worked may vary. Workstudy positions are available for qualified students.
Requirements/Qualifications: Motivated, conscientious, and responsible students in their junior, sophomore, or freshman years (sorry, no seniors) with a minimum GPA of 3.2. Interest in quantitative methods and statistics preferred. A minimum time commitment of at least 9 hours per week for at least two semesters is required. Students must be able to conduct research sessions in the early evening hours and attend a weekly lab meeting. If you are interested in a position please contact Dr. Pincus to schedule an interview.
José A. Soto
615 Moore Building
josesoto@psu.edu
LIMITED RECRUITING FOR FALL 2009
Contact Information: Please send an email to sotolab@gmail.com to request an application or for additional information. You may also complete the application here.
Description of Research Project: Members of our lab will study how, why and under what circumstances culture exerts an influence on the emotion system. We will study emotion using various methods including self-report, coding of behavioral data, and collection of psychophysiological data. We will also study different aspects of the emotion system such as emotional reactivity or expressivity, emotion regulation, empathic understanding of other’s emotions, and emotion language. Finally, we will study how the interaction of culture with these processes affects the psychological and physical well being of the individual.
Compensation: Research assistants can work on a volunteer basis or can earn independent research credit (PSY 494). Those eligible for work-study may be paid for their work. Research assistants will also gain valuable research experience for those interested in pursuing graduate school.
Qualifications: We are looking for motivated, detail-oriented undergraduates. Duties may include any or all of the following: attend weekly lab meetings, develop stimulus materials, conduct literature searches, assist with study implementation, train to use psychophysiological equipment, run subjects through psychophysiological protocol, and enter data. Students with computer savvy and a love for technology are especially encouraged to apply. Preference will be given to students who can work 2 consecutive semesters for at least 6 hours/week.
Smoking Research Lab
Stephen Wilson
LIMITED RECRUITING FOR FALL 2009
Description of Research: The overarching mission of the Smoking Research Lab is to advance our understanding of why it is so hard for people to quit smoking. This is a very important issue, as cigarette smoking remains one of the leading preventable causes of death in the world. Research in the lab is characterized by an interdisciplinary approach that integrates theory and methods from traditional behavioral addiction research with those derived from the affective, cognitive and social neurosciences (e.g., functional magnetic resonance imaging). Using these tools, we study how cigarette smokers respond under circumstances that are associated with a high risk of relapse to smoking. We are currently planning both behavioral studies, in which smokers will perform tasks on the computer in our laboratory in Moore, as well as brain imaging studies, in which smokers will perform similar tasks in the new neuroimaging center currently being constructed on campus. Specific questions that will be addressed include: What are the neurocognitive mechanisms underlying relapse in high risk situations? Why do some people seem to resist temptation in such situations better than others? What are the best strategies to teach people to help them avoid relapse? Duties for research assistants may include any or all of the following: recruiting and screening potential study participants (via telephone and in person), developing stimulus materials, conducting literature searches, collecting and analyzing data, and participating in lab meetings.
Method of Compensation: Research assistants can work on a volunteer basis or can earn independent research credit (PSY 494). Those eligible for work-study may be paid for their work. Possibilities will exist to enroll in PSY 496 Independent Studies or Senior Thesis Research in future semesters. Research assistants will also gain valuable research experience for those interested in pursuing graduate school. Research in the lab is particularly relevant for those considering graduate work in clinical psychology, health psychology, and/or neuroscience.
Requirements: We are looking for motivated, conscientious, and responsible undergraduate students with a minimum GPA of 3.2 who are interested in research experience. Students should plan to spend 10 hours per week involved in lab-related activities, although actual numbers of hours may be higher or lower in any given week. Preference is given to students who will be available to work in the summer, as well as those who may be interested in continuing in the lab beyond the current semester.
Contact Information: Interested students are encouraged to contact Dr. Wilson (sjw42@psu.edu) for more details and to schedule an interview.
Frederick M. Brown
863-1716, f3b@psu.edu
NOW RECRUITING FOR FALL 2009 AND SPRING 2010
Description of Research: Daily (circadian) rhythms of our daytime activity and nighttime sleeping affect all our basic behaviors and mental functioning. Some of these highly predictable rhythms are studied in our Human Performance Rhythms Laboratory (354 Moore). We have developed a Basic Language Morningness (BALM) scale that measures the time of day when people like to be active the most. Also, we have just developed a Sleep-Disruption Survey to determine how often, and for how long, people spontaneously wake up during the night, and what they do about it. We also study sleep-deprivation effects on practical issues like vehicle driving performance and working memory and are prepared to measure sleep deprivation using high-density EEG.
Requirements: Sophomore or Junior level with graduate school intentions; must have completed Psych 301 and Stat 200 (or its equivalent), and must be computer literate for data management and analysis. Because of the start-up training time especially for learning high-density EEG, we expect a student to remain in the laboratory for at least two semesters.
Method of Compensation: Although students can earn from 1-6 course credits per semester for Psych 294 or 494, 3 credits maximum is suggested for Psych 294 while training in the laboratory the first semester, and Psych 494 thereafter. The experience is excellent for learning several ways to collect data that measure effects of daily time fluctuations on our behavior. Several of our students have received laboratory externship and fellowship experiences beyond Penn State which have bolstered their applications for graduate and medical programs. Honors options are available that can become Psych 496 Independent Studies or Senior Thesis Research projects.
Rich Carlson
613 Moore, racarlson@psu.edu
SORRY, FULL for Fall 2009
Description of Research: My research is concerned with conscious control and cognitive skill. Our focus is on the nature of errors in routine skills, and on factors that affect the ability to monitor performance and detect those errors. Students assist in collecting data and in designing and planning experiments, and participate in a weekly lab meeting.
Requirements: No prior experience necessary; I'm happy to hear from curious and responsible students with interests in any area of psychology. I am looking for dependable assistants interested in learning about cognitive research.
Method of Compensation: Either PSYCH 494 credit or work-study positions are possible.
Contact information: Please email me, racarlson@psu.edu, to set up a meeting.
Nancy Dennis
nad12@psu.edu
NOW RECRUITING FOR SUMMER 2009 & FALL 2009
Description of Research: The Cognitive Aging & Neuroimaging (CAN) Lab focuses on the study of learning and memory in both young and older adults. We employ both behavioral and neuroimaging methods, including diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and functional MRI (fMRI) to explore the interaction of cognitive and neural processes involved in true memories, false memories, and relational memories. With respect to cognitive aging, our research concentrates on the examination of age-related neural markers of cognitive decline, as well as mechanisms for neural compensation. Other lines of research include both implicit learning and genetic neuroimaging.
Description of Position: 2-3 positions available. Undergraduate students in the laboratory will help with general lab organization, participant recruitment, designing and planning experiments, data collection and analysis, and participate in a weekly lab meeting. Great experience if you are considering graduate school in psychology or neuroscience.
Requirements: Rising Sophomores or Juniors preferred – at least 9 hours per week during the semester – preference will be given to those students who can commit for multiple semesters. General computer skills necessary. For at least 1 position we are looking for an individual with knowledge of web design knowledge and/or MATLAB. Students may receive PSY 494 research project credits or work study funds. Possibilities exist to enroll in Psych 496 Independent Studies or Senior Thesis Research in future semesters.
If interested please email Dr. Nancy Dennis. Please include your year of schooling as of next fall, your academic interests, GPA, relevant classes taken, times you are available to work, computer skills, career goals.
Rick Gilmore
Email: rogilmore@psu.edu
Phone: 865-3664
NOW RECRUITING
Research Description: The Gilmore lab focuses on basic questions in visual and cognitive neuroscience. The goal is to understand the development of perception, cognition, and action from infancy to adulthood using behavioral, computational, and neuroimaging techniques. The lab focuses on studies of normal development, and with colleagues at Hershey, development in children with visual or neurological disorders. A special focus in recent years has been on using steady-state visual evoked potentials (SSVEPs) to measure patterns of brain activity in response to complex patterns of motion.
Method of Compensation: Students may receive PSY 494 research project credits or work study funds.
Requirements/Qualifications: Highly motivated undergraduates with strong science, math, or computer backgrounds and at least 6 hours per week (typically in the mornings) to devote to research are encouraged to apply. The ability to work with participants in a lab setting is necessary, as electrode placement on participants will be performed. A commitment of at least one year (two consecutive semesters) is required. To apply, complete the on-line application: http://babylab.psych.psu.edu/RA.app.html
Judith Kroll - Cognition and Language Lab:
Bilingualism and second language learning
641 Moore, 863-0126, jfk7@psu.edu
NOW RECRUITING
Our lab conducts research on the cognitive processes that support the acquisition and proficient use of a second language. We are looking for a few enthusiastic undergraduates who would like to work in the lab with us on new projects. Our research investigates how bilingual speakers manage to speak words in one language at a time, how adult learners of a second language acquire new vocabulary, and what information is available when proficient bilinguals read in one or both of their two languages. There is no requirement to speak a second language yourself, just to be interested in gaining research skills and in being part of an interactive lab group.
Independent study (Psychology 494 or Linguistics 496) and work study positions are available for undergraduate students who are eligible. Note that the only positions for pay are for undergraduates with work study awards.
Our lab is located in Room 623 in the Moore Building. We are associated with the Center for Language Science (CLS) and there are many opportunities for research for students interested in particular languages (e.g., Spanish, German, Chinese, American Sign Language), in particular research topics (language learning, language production, cognitive control), and in learning to use a range of behavioral and neurocognitive methods. See for http://www.cls.psu.edu for additional detail.
Please feel free to contact any of us for more information:
Lab Director
Judith Kroll: jfk7@psu.edu (Office: 641 Moore)
Graduate Students:
Cari Bogulski: cari.bogulski@gmail.com
Jason Gullifer: jwg20@psu.edu (Dussias/Kroll Labs)
Rhonda McClain: rhondam1@gmail.com
Juliana Peters: judypop@ufl.edu
Postdoctoral Fellow:
Dr. Eleanora Rossi (Ph.D. University of Groningen, The Netherlands):
eleonoraros@gmail.com (Dussias/Kroll Labs)
Research Coordinators:
Mark Minnick: mrm280@psu.edu
Joyce Tam: jwt140@psu.edu
Visiting Scholars 2009-2010:
Mari Cruz (University of Granada, Spain), Graduate Student: mcruzmartin@ugr.es
Madelon van den Boer (Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands), Graduate Student madelonvandenboer@student.ru.nl
Frank Ritter
316G IST B, 865-4453, frank.ritter@psu.edu
Students can run usability experiments. Those who can program can help
build cognitive models or HCI interfaces. Either independent study or
work-study positions are possible. Students with programming experience
are preferred. Please call or email to set up an appointment in the afternoon
(Wednesday is best) for details. Previous projects include, besides the
above, related work with video editing, eye-tracking, interface building,
and web site design. We can also run a learning experiment to validate
a model of learning.
David Rosenbaum
642 Moore, 863-1991, dar12@psu.edu
Our lab is concerned with the psychological substrates of skilled (and not such skilled) performance. We do research on topics relevant to human factors, performance arts, athletics, and medicine (physical and occupational therapy and diagnosis of perceptual-motor disorders). Our current projects pertain to action control. We use video and computer technology, including a modest virtual-reality setup for recording movement patterns of the hands and arms. Many students who have worked in the lab have chosen to stay on for several semesters. We try to have fun while also doing (or trying to do) top-notch research. No prior experience is necessary because the point of all this is to help you get experience. We are looking for students who are curious, responsible, and seeking opportunities. Independent study and work-study positions are available. Please don't hesitate to contact me. The lab is located in 351 Moore.
For more information, go to http://www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/d/a/dar12/
Janet van Hell
619 Moore building, jgv3@psu.edu
NOW RECRUITING
Description of Research. The Language Development Lab is a new lab in the Psychology and Linguistics Departments, and focuses on language development at middle childhood and beyond. Topics we study include: how child speakers of different languages learn to use more complex grammatical structures;cognitive processes related to second language learning and second language processing in children and adults; how second and native language knowledge interacts in language perception and production, in beginning and proficient bilinguals. We use experimental, neurocognitive (ERPs), and linguistic research techniques.
The director of the Language Development Lab, Dr. Janet van Hell, is affiliated with Penn State and the Radboud University Nijmegen, the Netherlands (http://www.ru.nl/bsi). We closely collaborate with Dr. Kroll’s lab, andare associated with the Center for Language Science (CLS; http://www.lsrg.psu.edu). There are many opportunities for research for students interested in particular languages (e.g., Spanish, German, Chinese, American Sign Language), but you don’t have to speak a second language yourself. We seek students who are curious, enthusiastic, and responsible, and who seek training in experimental and neurocognitive research related to language processing.
Method of compensation: Independent study (Psychology 494 or Linguistics 496) or work study positions are available for undergraduate students who are eligible.
Dan Weiss
Comparative Communication Laboratory
Description of research: The goal of my lab is to use a comparative approach to the study of cognition and communication. To that end, we study 3 populations: human infants, human adults, and cotton-top tamarin monkeys. All of the research is behavioral (nothing invasive). I'm particularly interested in language and the early mechanisms underlying language acquisition. Recently, I've also begun some research in motor planning as well. For more details, visit my website at http://psych.la.psu.edu/weisslab/ . I'm interested in recruiting enthusiastic, conscientious, responsible, and bright students who are interested in assisting in the human and/or monkey research.
Method of compensation: Independent study and work study positions are available for undergraduate students who are eligible.
Requirements/Qualifications: Because of the nature of and training required for this type research, students should have a minimum overall GPA of 3.2 and be able to make a commitment of 2 semesters. Students should plan to spend 9 hours per week involved in lab-related activities, although the actual hours may be higher or lower in any given week.
Contact me at djw21@psu.edu if
you are interested.
Michael Wenger
mjw19@psu.edu
863-6023
Now recruiting
The Vision, Memory, and Computational Neuroscience Laboratory is looking for research assistants to get involved with our work investigating interactions between visual perception and memory. Current projects include research on the perception of faces and the development of perceptual skill. We are also working on developing computational models of neural circuits in the visual system that are involved in perception and memory, and testing the predictions of those models using EEG and event-related potential (ERP) methods. Students in the laboratory work on designing and planning experiments, data collection and analysis, and participate in a weekly lab meeting. If you are interested in any area of psychology, would like to know more about how research in psychology is done, and would like to gain experience that will help you if you are considering graduate training in psychology, we would love to talk to you. No prior experience is necessary, and you can find more information about our work at http://www.personal.psu.edu/mjw19. And if you'd like to learn more, or be considered for a position in the lab, please send me a note (mjw19@psu.edu).
Sheri Berenbaum
Sorry, full for Fall 2009. Now recruiting for Spring and Summer 2010
Description of Research: Why do girls & boys behave in different ways? If you’re interested in gaining research experience while learning about biological influences on the development of sex-typed behavior, we are currently seeking motivated & responsible undergraduate research assistants to help collect, enter, & analyze data.
Method of Compensation: Research assistants will receive Research Project credits (PSY 494). Generally, one credit is given for every 3 hrs of work per week, although actual hrs worked may vary. You will gain knowledge about gender development & hormone-behavior relations, as well as valuable research skills. This is an excellent opportunity for students interested in learning more about human neuroscience or developmental psychology in preparation for graduate school.
Requirements/Qualifications: Students must be motivated, conscientious, & responsible. Candidates must give at least a 3-semester commitment to the lab, & be able to work at least 10 hrs/week (including 1 hour for a lab meeting). Preference is given to students who will be available to work in the summer and to those who are interested in pursuing research careers. If you’re interested & want to learn more about the lab, please complete an application on-line at http://www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/s/a/sab31/application.html
Alysia Y. Blandon, Ph.D.
Family & Child Development Lab
NOW RECRUITING FOR SUMMER 2009, FALL 2009 AND Spring 2010
Description of Research: We are looking for motivated and enthusiastic undergraduate students to join the Family and Child Development Lab in the Psychology Department. We are beginning a new study that examines family processes and young children’s early social and emotional development. Research Assistants will be assisting with recruiting families, data collection when families come to the lab, enter and check data, and coding emotions and behavior from taped family interaction tasks. Other lab tasks may be assigned as needed.
Dr. Blandon’s research focuses on family process and the interaction across multiple family subsystems (e.g., marital, coparenting, parenting, & sibling relationships) and the contextual factors that influence children’s emerging self-regulation capabilities and their social and emotional development. A particular focus is placed on specifying the developmental trajectories of children’s self-regulation across multiple levels including physiological, behavioral, and emotional processes. The goal is to identify different pathways of development with an emphasis on examining the risk and protective factors that promote prosocial behavior or exacerbate children’s risk for later behavior problems and poor social functioning.
Undergraduate students need to commit to at least 10 hours a week for 2 semesters. Research assistants will receive credit for PSYCH 494. Students eligible for work-study may also be hired for pay. This is an excellent opportunity for students who are planning to apply for graduate school in developmental or clinical psychology, as well as human development.
We are now recruiting for FALL 2009 AND SPRING 2010.
Requirements/Qualifications: Students must have a minimum overall GPA of 3.3 and commit to work for at least 2 consecutive semesters. Previous or current enrollment in developmental courses is preferred. Students are expected to work 10 hours per week and attend weekly lab meetings.
Contact Information: Interested students should contact Carmen Culotta (familydev@la.psu.edu) to get an application and more information.
Kristin
Buss
Emotion Development Lab
NOW RECRUITING FOR SPRING AND SUMMER 2010
Description of Research: Research interests in the lab involve developmental affective neuroscience, individual differences in emotional reactivity, regulation, and temperament, the dynamics of behavioral and biological expression of emotion, and the effects of context on emotional behavior and physiological reactivity during the toddler and pre-Kindergarten years. The current longitudinal project is designed to explore the roles of temperament in social-emotional development and contains elements that probe maternal awareness and parental influence during toddler development. We are currently running lab visits with both moms and dads and their 3 ½-year-olds. Undergraduate research assistants will be involved in assisting families during visits to the Child Study Center and preparing materials for these visits. Research assistants will also be trained to discriminate affective behaviors, code and enter data.
Method of Compensation: Research assistants may apply for PSY 494 course credit or on a volunteer basis. Students eligible for work-study may be able to work in the lab for compensation after having worked in the lab for at least one semester. Participation provides a valuable experience and reference base for those considering graduate studies.
Requirements/Qualifications: Because of the nature and training involved with the study, we ask for a minimum overall GPA of 3.3 and a minimum commitment of at least 3 semesters (although the majority of our undergraduates stay on the project longer than the minimum requirement). Students should plan to spend 10 hours per week involved in lab-related activities, including a one-hour weekly lab/coding meeting which research assistants are required to attend.
Contact Information: To apply or for more information, please contact Jeremy Armstrong at jpa140@psu.edu or tikes@psu.edu. Interested students may also visit our website at http://emotiondev.psych.psu.edu/research/.
Rick Gilmore
Email: rogilmore@psu.edu
Phone: 865-3664
NOW RECRUITING
Research Description: The Gilmore lab focuses on basic questions in visual and cognitive neuroscience. The goal is to understand the development of perception, cognition, and action from infancy to adulthood using behavioral, computational, and neuroimaging techniques. The lab focuses on studies of normal development, and with colleagues at Hershey, development in children with visual or neurological disorders. A special focus in recent years has been on using steady-state visual evoked potentials (SSVEPs) to measure patterns of brain activity in response to complex patterns of motion.
Method of Compensation: Students may receive PSY 494 research project credits or work study funds.
Requirements/Qualifications: Highly motivated undergraduates with strong science, math, or computer backgrounds and at least 6 hours per week (typically in the mornings) to devote to research are encouraged to apply. The ability to work with participants in a lab setting is necessary, as electrode placement on participants will be performed. A commitment of at least one year (two consecutive semesters) is required. To apply, complete the on-line application: http://babylab.psych.psu.edu/RA.app.html
Lynn Liben
450 Moore Building, 863-1718, liben@psu.edu
Now recruiting for Summer 2009, Fall 2009, and Spring 2010
Description of Current Research The current projects in our lab
concern basic research on cognitive and social development, and on how
findings from this work apply to education. We cover infancy through young
adulthood.
A few of our current projects are exploring parent-child interactions.
One study is looking at parents and children at a museum exhibit on maps.
Students are helping to code parent and child behaviors from video recordings.
A second study involving parent-child interactions looks at how parents
talk to their children about gender and social group stereotypes. Students
will be helping to collect data and code behavior. Another large research
project is investigating the skills required for success in the geosciences
as well as how those concepts can be taught better. Students are currently
helping to collect data and will also be involved in coding. Lastly, our
research on photography is focused on children’s and adults’
aesthetic responses to images and to their own photographs.
Requirements/Qualifications. I prefer students who can devote about
10 hours weekly to the lab (3 credits) and who can commit to at least
two semesters, although exceptions are sometimes made with respect to
both. I also prefer students who have had a course or practical experiences
related to developmental psychology (e.g., PSY 212; babysitting experience)
and evidence high levels of responsibility and enthusiasm. Students may
be involved through Independent Study (PSY 494) or Work Study, either
of which provides excellent experience for graduate school or professional
work with children and adolescents.
Contact/Application Information. If you would like to learn more about the lab and get an application, please visit http://psych.la.psu.edu/LibenCSDlab/. You will find an application under the For Students tab. Or request an application form from Lacey Hilliard (ljh195@psu.edu).
Jenae Neiderhiser
jenaemn@psu.edu
Now Recruiting
Description of Research: We are looking for multiple undergraduates to join a longitudinal adoption study interested in disentangling the effects of genes, prenatal drug exposure, and parenting on child outcomes. Lab activities include coding of medical records (prenatal and delivery) of birth mothers enrolled in the study; editing videotapes of young children and their adoptive parents; website development and maintenance; Literature research and reviews and participating in lab meetings with faculty and graduate students.
Method of Compensation: Research assistants may work on a volunteer basis or receive credit for PSYCH 294 or 494. Students eligible for work-study may also be hired for pay. This is an excellent opportunity for students interested in developmental or clinical psychology, human development, biology, or medicine.
Requirements/Qualifications: We are looking for undergraduate students (with a minimum GPA of 3.0) to work at least 10 hours per week. A commitment of 2 semesters is preferable, but students who can only commit to 1 semester may still be considered. We are currently looking for students available Summer 2009, Fall 2009 and Spring 2010.
Contact Information: If interested, please contact Jenae Neiderhiser (jenaemn@psu.edu) or Nastassia Hajal (njh159@psu.edu)
Hoben Thomas
Now Recruiting
Contact Information: Hoben Thomas hxt@psu.edu
Description of Research: I do mathematical modeling,
largely within the framework of probability theory. The psychological
content area is child or developmental psychology. The specific topics
of focus are varied, but always focus on problems of individual differences,
most recently infant differences. Most of the work I do is analytical,
building probability models, evaluating the models in data, and exploring
their consequences. Research assistants would assist in model evaluation,
using real data from an infancy project, as well as artificial data to
explore model properties. Computation is important.
Requirements/Qualifications: I am looking for one or two motivated,
responsible and dependable undergraduate students with some mathematical
background (at least calculus). Students must have taken statistics at
least at the level of Stat 200 or Psych 200. The free software package
R is the main computer software program students would use. A two semester
commitment is desired. Students will learn skills and research approaches
not generally introduced into the undergraduate curriculum.
Method of Compensation: Research assistants will receive 1 credit of Research Project (Psy 294 or Psy 494) for every 3 hours worked per week. There may also be the opportunity to receive summer salary support through NSF's undergraduate research support system.
No ads at this time
Social Vision and Interpersonal
Perception Lab:
Reg Adams
NOW RECRUITING
Contact information: Please contact Dr. Reginald
Adams (radams@psu.edu) for more
information.
Description of research project: Our lab focuses on the study
of social vision. More of the human brain is dedicated to visual processes
than all other sensory modalities combined. This anatomical fact reflects
in large part the central importance vision plays in both establishing
and navigating us through our social worlds. In our work we recognize
the interplay of visual and social processes both in terms those which
are innately prepared and those which have emerged as the product of individual
variation and cultural learning. Our focus is on the study of Compound
Social Cues. More specifically, we study how social and emotional meaning
is extracted from the human face given the multiple social messages it
conveys (e.g., emotion, gender, race etc.). We utilize behavioral, neuroscientific,
and cross-cultural methods to accomplish this work. We are currently seeking
RAs who are interested in helping examine: 1) the language of the eyes,
2) ingroup/outgroup influences in social perception, and 3) human attraction.
Our goal is for RAs to experience all phases of the research process from
idea generation to stimulus and program preparation, data collection,
analysis, interpretation, and presentation. All interested students are
encouraged to apply.
Compensation: Students will earn 3 hours of course credit
by enrolling in Psych 494 (independent study). Working in a research lab
is invaluable to those seeking to pursue graduate work in research psychology.
Gaining early experience in a lab is also helpful for those who anticipate
doing an honors thesis.
Requirements/Qualifications: We are looking for motivated,
reliable, detail-oriented students with a strong work ethic and creative
instinct.
Karen Gasper
437 Moore, kxg20@psu.edu
RECRUITING FOR FALL 2009 WILL BEGIN IN AUGUST 2009
Description of Research Project : Our lab is searching for a couple of motivated students who are interested in learning about how moods and emotions influence everyday activities. Some questions under investigation will be:
-
How do people differ in their understanding of emotional experiences? Are some individuals more aware of their experiences than others?
-
How do feelings influence judgment? For instance, do sad individuals always view the world more negatively than those who are happy? Under what circumstances does this change?
-
How do our feelings influence information processing? For instance, are happy individuals more creative than sad individuals?
You will gain some valuable experience in using appropriate scientific methods, in running and conducting experimental sessions, and in analyzing and interpreting data.
Method of compensation: Independent Study
Opportunity.
Requirements/Qualifications: Knowledge of computers
would be a plus, but it is not required. We are looking for responsible,
creative, and articulate people with an interest in psychology. For more
information and an application form, please go to:
http://www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/k/x/kxg20/lab/lab.html
Mel Mark
NOW RECRUITING
Contact Information: Please contact Chris Gamble (cng120@psu.edu) or Dr. Mel Mark (m5m@psu.edu) if you are interested.
Description of Research Projects: Our lab examines judgments about events and social norms and how our core motives and cognitive makeup influence such judgments. We are also conducting research to potentially enhance dialogue between students and their advisers.
Compensation: Students will earn 3 hours of course credit (PSY 494 Independent Study) for working in our lab. Beyond course credit, working in a lab is the best way to learn about the process of conducting empirical research, a particularly beneficial experience for students interested in graduate school.
Qualifications: We are looking for thoughtful, energetic undergraduate students interested in learning about and conducting research. Research assistants will be asked to attend weekly lab meetings, conduct study sessions, enter data, perform literature searches and discuss ideas about ongoing and future studies. We especially encourage students to apply who plan to attend graduate school and are able to work at least 6 hours/week. Contact Chris Gamble (cng120@psu.edu) for an application form.
Stephanie
Shields
514 Moore Building, sashields@psu.edu
Contact information: Please contact Stephanie Shields (sashields@psu.edu) or Matthew Zawadzki (mjz172@psu.edu) if you are interested.
Description of research project: Our lab focuses on the intersection
between gender and emotion, especially as relevant to interpersonal settings.
We draw from the psychology of emotion, the psychology of gender, and
feminist psychology. We are currently conducting a range of studies on
evaluations of others’ emotions and emotion displays, evaluations
of the evaluations of our own emotions, the self-reported physiological
aspects of emotions and how these self-reports relate to emotion scripts
dictating how one should feel, and the effect nonverbal behaviors, such
as touch, on interpersonal interactions. The aim of this research is to
learn more about when, why, and how emotion is felt and perceived in everyday
situations, especially between individuals of differing power, and how
these perceptions of emotion can change one’s judgment of competency
and legitimacy. Please see our lab web page for more detailed information: http://psych.la.psu.edu/shields/index.html.
Our undergrad RAs are involved in all phases of the research process.
Undergraduate roles include attending regular lab meetings, data collection,
entry, and checking, developing stimulus materials, conducting literature
searches, assisting us with individual projects, and providing their own
creative voices throughout this process!
Method of compensation: Students can earn course credit by registering
for independent study research (PSY 494). This is a great way to
gain research experience for people interested in the psychology of emotion
and gender.
Requirements/Qualifications: We are looking for 4 or 5 motivated, reliable, and detail-oriented undergraduates who are willing to work 6 to 9 hours a week. Most of our RAs continue to work with us for two or more semesters.
Janet K. Swim
515 Moore Building
jks4@psu.edu
NOW RECRUITING FOR FALL 2009 and SPRING 2010
Contact Information: Please contact Elizabeth Lee at lizlee@psu.edu for an application.
Description of Research Project: Janet Swim is currently working in two primary areas. One area addresses individual’s judgments of and reactions to incidents that could be considered discriminatory and people who might be prejudiced. The second area is in environmental psychology where she is studying individual and situational features that constrain and facilitate individual’s tendency to engage in behaviors that mitigate global climate change.
Compensation: Research assistants receive course credit (PSYCH 494) that may count towards the 400 level credit requirement for psychology majors. Additionally, working in our lab will provide you with valuable experience in conducting research, which is excellent preparation for graduate school.
Qualifications: We are looking for motivated, detail oriented students who can give thoughtful feedback on experimentation. Our research assistants typically learn how to: be experimenters, enter and code data, and manage both the subject pool, and online surveys. While we will not turn anyone away on the based on background, males and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply. Lastly, we strongly encourage students to apply if they are able to work 9 hours/week.
Theresa Vescio
416 Moore Building
tkv1@psu.edu
NOW RECRUITING for Summer 2009, Fall 2009, and Spring 2010 - NOTE 2 projects
Description of Research: How do anger inspiring and discriminatory situations influence brain activity across the lifespan? Dr. Theresa Vescio’s lab is recruiting research assistants to assist with EEG data collection for studies addressing this question.
Contact Information: Please contact Kristy Schlenker (kas665@psu.edu) for an application or additional information.
Compensation: Research assistants can earn course credit (independent research credit) for working in our lab. Additionally, working in our lab provides opportunities for hands on experience with research for those interested in careers or graduate programs investigating stereotyping and prejudice or those who have an interest in social neuroscience.
Requirements and Qualifications: We are looking research assistants who are creative, motivated, and detail-oriented. We are recruiting 2-4 male and 1-2 female research assistants who would be able to begin in the Summer 2009. Additional male and female research assistants will be recruited to begin in the Fall semester. No prior research experience is necessary. However, undergraduates should have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and be able to work at least 4 hours a week for two or more semesters.
------------
Contact Information: Please contact Kristy Schlenker (kas665@psu.edu) for additional information and/or an application.
Description of Research Project: As a member of our lab, you will be working on projects that attempt to answer the following questions:
1) How do people perform when threatened with negative stereotypes of their in-groups (for example, women in mathematics)?
2) How do people perceive women and men who deviate from gender stereotypes, and are there “better” ways to deviate from gender stereotypes?
3) Why do people get punished for behaving in counter-stereotypic ways?
4) What makes men feel that their masculinity has been threatened and how do they react?
5) Do high-powered women behave in specific ways to make themselves less threatening to high-powered men?
6) How do leadership styles influence perception and behavior? What consequences do the behaviors of leaders have for their subordinates?
7) How do perceptions of high-powered people differ based on their sex?
8) What makes interracial interactions more or less successful?
Compensation: Research assistants can earn course credit (independent research credit) for working in our lab. Additionally, working in our lab provides opportunities for hands on experience with research for those interested in careers or graduate programs investigating stereotyping and prejudice. This lab is a great opportunity for Honors Thesis work for students who are engaged in research for multiple semesters. Research assistants will be asked to attend weekly lab meetings, collect and enter data, develop stimulus materials, conduct literature searches, and provide thoughtful feedback on planned studies.
Qualifications: We are looking for creative, motivated, and detail-oriented undergraduates with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Additionally, those students with computer programming skills (e.g., Visual Basic, E-prime) are especially encouraged to apply. Preference will be given to students who can work 2 consecutive semesters for at least 6 hours/week, but all are encouraged to apply.
------------
Contact Information: Please contact Maggie Thomas (mat294@psu.edu) for additional information and/or an application.
Description of Research Project: As a member of our lab, you will be working on projects that attempt to answer the following questions:
1) How do people perform when threatened with negative stereotypes of their ingroups (for example, women in mathematics)?
2) How do people perceive women and men who deviate from gender stereotypes, and are there “better” ways to deviate from gender stereotypes?
3) Do high-powered women behave in specific ways to make themselves less threatening to high-powered men?
4) How do leadership styles influence perception and behavior? What consequences do the behaviors of leaders have for their subordinates?
5) How do perceptions of high-powered people differ based on their sex?
6) Why do people get punished for behaving in counter-stereotypic ways?
7) Social neuroscience: How do anger inspiring and discriminatory situations influence brain activity?
Compensation: Research assistants can earn course credit (independent research credit) for working in our lab. Additionally, working in our lab provides opportunities for hands on experience with research for those interested in careers or graduate programs investigating stereotyping and prejudice. This lab is a great opportunity for Honors Thesis work for students who are engaged in research for multiple semesters. Research assistants will be asked to attend weekly lab meetings, collect and enter data, develop stimulus materials, conduct literature searches, and provide thoughtful feedback on planned studies.
Qualifications: We are looking for creative, motivated, and detail-oriented undergraduates with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Additionally, those students with computer programming skills (e.g., Visual Basic, E-prime) are especially encouraged to apply. Preference will be given to students who can work 2 consecutive semesters for at least 6 hours/week, but all are encouraged to apply.