Why do research in psychology at Avila?

Conducting research develops your ability to pose good questions, think logically, problem solve, and work on a team: abilities highly valued by employers. Collaborating on research also enables you to work closely with a faculty member, who can put your particular talents to best use (and write those all important letters of recommendation!). With our apprenticeship model of research, the specific tasks you will work on will be commensurate with your current level of experience and knowledge.

If you are interested in applying to Ph.D. programs in Psychology, research experience is MANDATORY! Most programs are highly competitive, and nearly all of your competition will have had research experience of some sort.

And yes, research can be FUN! It's all about making new discoveries, about finding answers to questions that puzzle you. You will even have opportunities to present your research at regional, national, or international conferences.

At Avila, we use an apprenticeship model of research, so you will be engaging in tasks that are appropriate for your current level of knowledge and ability; you will then be "scaffolded" as you progress through your research training. As an undergraduate or master's level student, you will learn to do research from professors who do research.

Work on research projects at Avila: Undergraduate Students

Avila undergraduate students from any discipline may work on a psychology research team with the permission of a faculty research supervisor. Click on individual faculty members to learn more about their research interests.

Non-psychology majors, and psychology majors who have not yet completed Statistics (PY 230) and Research Methods (PY 397) should sign up for Applied Experimental Methods (PY 297). This course is taken for ONE credt hour at a time, and can be repeated.

Psychology majors (from any area of concentration) who have completed PY 230 and PY 397 should sign up for Applied Experimental Methods II (PY 497). This course is also taken for ONE credit hour at a time, and can be repeated.

Psychology majors in the Research Concentration will additionally complete PY 498, Senior Thesis (2 credits per semester; normally taken for two semesters).

Work on research projects at Avila: Graduate Students

Students in the Master's in General Psychology and Master's in Counseling Psychology may work on a psychology research team, with the permission of a faculty research advisor.

Beginning in Fall 2010, students interested in gaining research experience should enroll in PY 647, Applied Experimental Methods, which is offered for ONE credit hour at a time.

Students in the General Psychology program will additionally complete PY 699, Master's Project, which can involve working on a research or service-learning project. Students in the Counseling Psychology program can take PY 699 as an elective.

SUMMER 2010 RESEARCH Opportunities Outside Avila (updated March 20, 2010)

Professor Jack Dovidio's Yale Intergroup Relations Lab (YIRL) is accepting applications for volunteer research assistants for the summer of 2010. Applicants should be available for at least 8 weeks, mid-June - August. The ideal candidate is a motivated undergraduate or recent graduate with a keen interest in social psychology. Experience is an asset but not necessary. Currently, the lab is actively researching topics relating to prejudice, stereotyping, and discrimination, intergroup communication, and adaptations of stigmatized individuals. Interns work approximately 20-30 hours a week, which includes data collection, analysis, study design, and lab meetings. To learn more about Prof. Dovidio's lab, please visit www.yale.edu/intergroup, email yale.intergroup@gmail.com or the lab manager, Oth Tran, at oth.vilaythong.t@yale.edu . To apply, please fill out an application available at: www.yale.edu/intergroup/opportunities.html . The deadline is March 26th.

The Self and Intergroup Relations Laboratory (Director: Dr. Brenda Major) in the Psychology Department at the University of California, Santa Barbara is currently accepting applications from talented undergraduates for a summer research internship in social psychology. The UCSB-SIRL Psychology Internship is a 6 week program (June 21-July 30, 2010) for undergraduate students who wish to receive training and conduct research investigating topics in social psychology, intergroup relations, and psychophysiology. APPLICATION DUE DATE: April 16, 2010. For more information contact simon@psych.ucsb.edu

The Mental Control Lab at Harvard University, under the direction of Daniel Wegner, is seeking volunteer research assistants for summer 2010. Applicants should be available for at least two months, June 15 – August 15, but are welcome to be in the lab for longer than the required dates. Duties will include running participants, conducting field studies, helping with research design and generally enjoying Cambridge in the summertime.  They are currently researching topics related to morality, mind perception, and empathy.  The lab is a relaxed and creative environment, and Prof. Wegner will not bite once he knows you (until then, it's probably best to come prepared with long sleeves, running shoes, and a good excuse for your roommates and parents – “mauled by bunny rabbits” usually works well). Interested applicants should visit http://mind.wjh.harvard.edu/Summer2010.html for more information and application instructions.