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Department of Psychology

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.

Alvin V. Baird Attention & Learning Disabilities Center Research Positions

Researchers in the Alvin V. Baird Attention & Learning Disabilities Center work to develop and evaluate effective treatments for adolescents with ADHD and related problems (e.g., academic & social impairment and substance use). There are many opportunities for students to participate in research and clinical activities. Duties for research assistants are flexible and may include responsibilities such as administering assessments to adolescents and parents, scoring, data entry, serving as a counselor in a treatment program and other related project tasks. Psyc 493, 402 (3 or 4 credits), or 290 (1 or 2 credits) are credit bearing options for participating in our research. In addition, we have paid research positions. Consistent training and supervision is provided throughout the semester and JMU students have additional opportunities to participate in conference posters and presentations as well as publications associated with the project. There is a weekly research seminar held on a day to be scheduled. For more information, please contact Dr. Steven Evans (Blue Ridge Hall, Room 216; 568-6484) or send an email to chp@jmu.edu. You will find additional information about our research and training opportunities at our web page at http://chp.cisat.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. See Joann Grayson (Miller 1157; graysojh@jmu.edu) if interested.

Counseling & Student Development Center (CSDC) Internship (Spring 2009)

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!  All students have been selected for Fall 2008.  If you would like to apply for this experience for the Spring 2009 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 ).

Field Placement – General Sections (Spring 2009)

Plan now for Spring 2009! Psychology 495 Field Placement.  Applications for Spring, 2009 Field Placement (Psyc 495) are due no later than September 16 noon.  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 all available online at the Department of Psychology web site. 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 (568-6482l graysojh@jmu.edu).

Healthy Families

A one credit Psychology 290 field experience is available with Healthy Families of Page County. 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). Interested students can email Joann Grayson (graysojh@jmu.edu).

Psychology Education

What is the ideal Psychology Major program? This project began in 2004 as we worked with the American Psychological Association (APA) to describe the 2,681 undergraduate psychology programs in the United States. What courses are offered? Who teaches in these departments? What facilities are available? The preliminary findings of that research appear on the APA web site (http://www.apa.org/ed/pcue/profiles_intro.html . What are the required courses and order of those courses within the curriculum of these programs?  Our description of the curriculum was completed during Summer 2007 and a manuscript describing our findings is now in review.  Students are now needed to assist with the next phase of the project.  We need to survey the schools we have described and discover how well prepared students are a result of these experiences.  What are the characteristics of psychology major programs that produce the most successful graduates?  This is a mult-year project.  Students who work join the project during Spring 2008 will help design our next study.  Students who continue for multiple semesters as we collect and analyze our data have great potential for being a co-author on publications. Contact Dr. Michael Stoloff (568-6396; stolofml@jmu.edu; Miller 1123).

Motivation Research

During the 2008-09 academic year, a number of undergraduate research positions for Psyc 402 credit will be available for students interested in exploring what factors motivate human behavior, and how those factors can best be assessed.  Our goal is to develop a new comprehensive motivational assessment tool by the end of the year.  For more information about the project and how to apply for a position, please contact Dr. Kenn Barron (barronke@jmu.edu.)  You can also find additional information about our research by logging onto the Motivation Research Institute's web page at http://www.jmu.edu/assessment/institutes/MRI_Overview.htm

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.

Social Psychology of Depression

Natalie Kerr Lawrence is recruiting students to help design and conduct research on the social psychology of depression. A two-semester commitment is preferred but not required. In the fall, we will review the relevant literature and design a research study. In the spring, we will conduct the study and present our findings at a professional conference. Students will earn three Psychology 402 credits each semester. For more information or to apply, email Dr. Lawrence (lawrennk@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 a research project on mental toughness in sport and can earn credit at the 290 or 402 level.  Students will be expected to assist with background research, study design, data collection, data analysis, and other aspects of the project.  Students also will have the opportunity to participate on conference presentations and publications related to the research project as well.  In addition, other team members may be interested in pursuing independent study in the area of sport psychology via directed readings or fieldwork.  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 at harmisrj@jmu.edu or 568-7959 or Johnston 115.

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. 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. 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 the fall, and preferably spring semester(s).  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).

Visual Studies Project

Images are a powerful presence in our world and in this lab we try to understand how they work. Current projects include asking whether slow motion film misleads us about the truth, and what it is like to have an intense aesthetic experience.  Students interested in the psychology of the arts, especially film and images, are invited to join this active research lab. Opportunities to work on multi-disciplinary visual studies projects are possible. Skills with film, digital video, photography and computers are desirable. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Dr. Sheena Rogers (568-7838; Johnston 214; rogerssj@jmu.edu).