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JMU Psychology Projects and Training Opportunities
Adult Attention Deficit Disorder
Students are needed to assist with research at either the 290 (1 credit hour) or 402 (3 credit hour) level on adult attention deficit, including the development of both a survey and experimental study. The research group will meet Monday between 1:30 and 2:30. Activities will involve reading, data collection and analysis, and writing APA style papers. Students should have completed 1) a course in developmental psychology (160 or 365) and 2) PSYC 210. Students will have opportunities to publish and/or present research. If you are interested in working on this project either in Fall 2008 or Spring 2009, please contact Dr. Ashton Trice at tricead@jmu.edu.
Art for Memory Enhancement
Students work twice a week for 1.5 hours each time (total of 35 hours on site) with the activities staff at Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community (near Eastern Mennonite University- about 15 minutes from campus). Students participate in ongoing activities therapy and then design and pilot test their own activities to enhance memory in residents with dementia. Students meet every two to three weeks for about a half hour with Dr. Grayson. Students review literature about memory enhancement. This is a one-credit, Psyc 290 experience. A car is very helpful although VMRC can be reached by the Harrisonburg transit system. For more information about this project see http://psychweb.cisat.jmu.edu/graysojh/290/projects.htm. See Joann Grayson (Miller 1157; graysojh@jmu.edu) if interested.
Biopsychological Effects of Mental Imagery
In this study, researchers will monitor and assess physiological and psychological changes in a group of participants who will regularly practice mental imagery. Particular areas of focus include brain functioning, heart rate variability, emotional awareness and various measures of psychological well-being as functions of mental imagery practice. For more information contact Dr. Ulas Kaplan (kaplanux@jmu.edu).
Counseling & Student Development Center (CSDC) Internship
The Counseling & Student Development Center would like to invite junior and senior psychology majors to join them for a semester of learning and practical experience! Join us for PSYC 402 and earn three credits.
- Prepare and co-present workshops for our Interpersonal Skills Certificate Program and our Anger Management Certificate Program. Topics include Self-esteem, Intimacy in Relationships, Assertiveness, Understanding Destructive Relationships, Communication Skills, Conflict Resolution, Dealing with Difficult People, Stress Management, Coping with Change and Managing Perfectionism.
- Prepare and co-present workshops on mental health topics such as eating disorders, depression, addictions, and anxiety.
- Assist a CSDC staff member with a project or research.
- Assist us with CSDC special events and with advertising our programs.
- Learn all about the role and functions of a University counseling center.
This is a wonderful way to gain experience in your field! This internship is now full for Spring 2010. If you would like to apply for this experience for the Fall 2010 Semester, please e-mail Kara Michelle Karr (karrkm@jmu.edu) to request an application.
Critical Thinking Skills Research Group
The tentative topic for the Psych 402 Critical Thinking Skills Research Group is Understanding Environmental Problems. This research team explores the relationship between critical thinking skills and dispositions (styles of thinking). For example, we examine how people understand environmental problems and find solutions. People frequently must make decisions that pit immediate, resource-depleting gains against more long-term, resource-sustaining gains. Commercial fishermen often face such a dilemma. Our research team tries to understand how people critically evaluate these dilemmas. An informal seminar will be held on Fridays from 2:30-4:00 p.m. (Johnston-204) to discuss the study and related theoretical issues. For more information on this Psyc 402 (3 credits) opportunity, see http://falcon.jmu.edu/~westrf/research/MainResearchPage.html and/or contact Dr. Rich West (568-6502; Johnston 206; westrf@jmu.edu ).
Cultural and Racial Diversity Studies Lab (CARDS)
The Cultural and Racial Diversity Studies Lab (CARDS Lab) is looking for motivated psychology majors to sign up for 290 research credit for the Spring 2010 semester. At a minimum, eligible students must have completed the 210-211 sequence before applying. Applications are available at Dr. Lee's office, Miller Hall Room 1165. Complete applications are due Friday, November 13, 2009. All questions can be directed to Dr. Lee (leemr@jmu.edu).
Elementary School Mentoring
A one credit (35 hours on site) or two credit (75 hours on site) introductory experience mentoring children in an elementary school under the supervision of a guidance counselor is available some semesters. Both participating schools are in the county about 20 minutes from JMU.For more information about this project see http://psychweb.cisat.jmu.edu/graysojh/290/projects.htm If interested, please contact Dr. Grayson (graysojh@jmu.edu).
Exploring Psychology Through Film
For this project, researchers will screen movies to identity specific clips that illustrate various concepts and themes within the different domains, including personality, human development, diversity, and psychopathology. The clips will be used in order to develop exercises and assignments for psychology classes. For more information contact Dr. Ulas Kaplan (kaplanux@jmu.edu).
Field Placement – General Sections (Fall 2010)
Field Placement for Spring 2010 is currently full. Applications for Fall, 2010 Field Placement (Psyc 495) are due no later than January 27, at 3 PM. Field placement is a capstone class and conforms to all capstone requirements. Students also work 150 hours in an agency. Over 50 sites participate with the field placement program. See http://www.psyc.jmu.edu/undergraduate/fldplcmnt/index.htm or Peer Advising Office for more information including guidelines and information about the participating agencies. Application forms are available at http://psyc.jmu.edu/ug/pdf/field%20placement%20application%20sp06.pdf. Guidelines, site descriptions, and the application form are available online. Applications are submitted to Dr. Joann Grayson either at Miller 1157 or in her mailbox. Please do not e-mail the application. Please sign up for an interview time on the appointment signup in the rack outside the office door. Questions? Call or e-mail Dr. Grayson (568-6482 graysojh@jmu.edu).
Healthy Families
A one-credit Psychology 290 field experience is available with Healthy Families of Page County most semesters. Healthy Families works with new parents who are at risk of Child Abuse and Neglect from the birth of their child up through age 5. Students observe home visits, help connect families to resources, operate a play group for preschool children, and do well baby checks. Students can help with office support (phone calls, filing), develop materials, and do research for program director. A car is needed as some of the work is located in the Page County office (some is done on-campus at JMU).For more information about this project see http://psychweb.cisat.jmu.edu/graysojh/290/projects.htm Interested students can email Joann Grayson (graysojh@jmu.edu).
Human Development Lab
The Human Development Lab is accepting students to assist for new projects. Psyc 290 or Psyc 402 credit is available. For more information, you can contact Dr. Ulas Kaplan (kaplanux@jmu.edu).
Ideal Psychology Major
What do students do in the ideal Psychology Major? We are about to start the next phase of this project. We are going to survey 374 psychology departments in North America to measure the success of their students. We are then going to relate the curriculum students have experienced to various measures of student success. The goal is to determine what characteristics of psychology major programs lead to the greatest level of success among their students. This project began in 2004 when we worked with the American Psychological Association (APA) to describe the 2,681 undergraduate psychology programs in the United States. The findings of that research appear on the APA web site (http://www.apa.org/ed/pcue/profiles_intro.html. Our project continued with a description of the required curriculum for the psychology major at 374 institutions. Students are now needed to assist with the next phase of the project. This is a mult-year project. Students who join the project during Fall 2009 will help analyze the survey data currently being collected. Students who continue to work on this project for several semesters may be invited to be a co-author on publications or publications. Contact Dr. Michael Stoloff (568-6396; stolofml@jmu.edu; Miller 1123).
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
Students interested in environment and health are invited to help research the life impacts of Chemical Sensitivity (CS) in a 3 credit hour 402. Chemical Sensitivity involves allergic-like reactions to common chemicals in the environment. We will meet Monday morning so applicants must have some Monday morning time open. Work will involve reading literature, working on ongoing studies, and creating new survey studies relating to CS, disability, and accommodations. See http://www.mcsresearch.net for the types of papers published by this lab. Contact Dr. Pam Gibson at gibsonpr@jmu.edu if interested.
Psychological Development Through College Years
This is a cross-sectional study that will involve student samples from each year of college to explore developmental differences in psychological experience, including moral development, psychological well-being, emotional awareness, internalized motivation, and attitudes about diversity. This study will serve as a basis for a future longitudinal study to track student development through college. For more information contact Dr. Ulas Kaplan (kaplanux@jmu.edu).
Sport Psychology
Dr. Robert Harmison is looking for students with an interest in sport psychology to join his team. Students are needed to assist with ongoing and new projects related to sport psychology, and specifically, mental toughness in sport. Students can earn credit at the 290 or 402 level by participating in independent study projects (readings, research, or practicum). Students will have opportunities to (a) enhance their knowledge of sport psychology through extensive readings, (b) assist with background research, study design, and data collection and analysis, or (c) apply their sport psychology learning in a sport setting. Dr. Harmison’s team will meet once per week on a day and time to be determined. If you are interested or have additional questions, please contact Dr. Harmison (harmisrj@jmu.edu; 568-7959; Johnston 115.
Teaching Assistants for Psyc 330 & 365
Opportunities are available to students who will serve as course assistants for Psyc 365 (Developmental Psychology) or Psyc 330 (Psychology of Personality) during Fall 2009. Duties include assistance with online activities, quizzes, students' research projects, and participation. Psyc 290 or 402 credit available. Contact Dr. Ulas Kaplan (kaplanux@jmu.edu) if you are interested.
Tutoring At-Risk and Foster Children
Tutors needed for at-risk children! Earn one credit of Psychology 290. Students work 25 hours (twice a week for an hour) at the child's home. Great experience and a chance to make a difference in the life of a child. A car is needed. Tutors keep daily documentation of their work, coordinate with the child's teacher, meet monthly with Dr. Grayson, and write a summary report. For more information about this project see http://psychweb.cisat.jmu.edu/graysojh/290/projects.htm Interested students should e-mail or visit Dr. Joann Grayson (graysojh@jmu.edu; Miller 1157; 568-6482).
Virginia Child Protection Newsletter
The Virginia Child Protection Newsletter (VCPN) is published three times a year. Students work 40 hours during the semester doing library research, Internet searches, and telephone interviews. Topics are chosen by the funding agency. Psyc 290 credit is available.For more information about this project see http://psychweb.cisat.jmu.edu/graysojh/290/projects.htm Interested students should contact Dr. Joann Grayson (568-6482; Miller 1157; graysojh@jmu.edu) or sign up for an appointment on the board on Dr. Grayson's office door.
Visual Perception
Dr. Jeff Andre anticipates needing research assistants for Spring 2010. He is currently working on a variety of visual perception topics such as the visual guidance of locomotion, and wayfinding. He is also working on the qualities of a "master student." He is interested in possibly starting new research on how accurately people can interpret data in graphs. An interest in visual perception research and a prerequisite of PSYC 211 are required. Having completed PSYC 375 would be a plus. Research activities include developing/conducting experiments and lab meetings to discuss relevant theoretical topics. PSYC 402 credits are available. A two-semester commitment is preferred but not required. For more information, contact Dr. Jeff Andre (568-1648, andrejt@jmu.edu , Miller 1163).
