Roanoke College Psychology Department

Category: Research

  • Opportunity for Graduating Seniors

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    Lab Manager – Social Learning Lab @ Stanford University

    The Social Learning Lab (SLL) welcomes enthusiastic, motivated individuals to apply for a lab manager position to start in summer 2016. This person will work closely with other lab members to assist in all aspects of running the lab and conducting research.

    The goal of our research is to understand the cognitive underpinnings of our ability to communicate with others to both learn about and teach others about both the physical and the social world. To this end, we employ a variety of methods: many of our projects involve behavioral methods with young children, fMRI experiments with adults and children, as well as online experiments with adults.  A successful candidate would be someone who would feel comfortable being involved in all aspects of research as well as taking good care of general lab business (e.g., training & coordinating undergraduate research assistants, recruiting & running subjects, communicating with staff at our research sites, constructing stimuli, managing & analyzing data, etc.). This person will also have opportunities to develop independent research projects.

    A BA or BS degree in Psychology, Cognitive Science, Computer Science, or in related fields would be helpful but not required. Research experience (particularly in cognitive neuroscience or cognitive development), strong statistical background, and programming skills (e.g., MATLAB) is highly desirable.

    This position will be posted as a one-year position. Ideally however the position would be held for two years, and renewal will be contingent upon performance. Please refer to this webpage (sll.stanford.edu) for more information on applying for this position. We ask all applicants to submit their answers to a list of questions as part of the application. For best consideration, please apply by February 1, 2016. Send any inquiries to sll.stanford@gmail.com.

     

    Get connected!
    Instagram & Twitter:  #PsychRC
    Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/rcpsychology
    Blog:  https://psych.pages.roanoke.edu/
    Linked In:  https://www.linkedin.com/groups/RC-Psychology-8140491/about
    Website:  https://www.roanoke.edu/inside/a-z_index/psychology

  • Scholarship Opportunities

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    The American Association of University Women currently has 3 scholarships, one that is $2000 and two that are $1500, that you can apply for!

    The scholarships are as follows:

    Non-traditional: women who are 21 years or older, and have not previously obtained a bachelor’s degree
    Norman & Myrtle Shifflett: women who are pursuing a career in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM)
    Dorothy Kayser Provine: women who are pursuing a career in the humanities

     

    Requirements:

    Two further requirements are that the student must reside Roanoke City, Salem City, Town of Vinton, Roanoke County, Botetourt County, or Craig County and must demonstrate financial need.  And to be competitive, it is recommend that the student have at least a 3.4 overall GPA (higher would be better!).

     

    For more information, refer to their websitehttps://roanokevalley-va.aauw.net/community/scholarships/  Applications are due to AAUW by March 11, 2016.

     

    Get connected!
    Instagram & Twitter:  #PsychRC
    Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/rcpsychology
    Blog:  https://psych.pages.roanoke.edu/
    Linked In:  https://www.linkedin.com/groups/RC-Psychology-8140491/about
    Website:  https://www.roanoke.edu/inside/a-z_index/psychology

  • A Few Scientific Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Pull That All-Nighter This Week

    “Want to ace that test tomorrow? Here’s a tip: Put down the coffee and hit the sack.”

    sleep-deprived1Don’t believe me? Tons of recent research has shown that pulling all-nighters, and the sleep deprivation that results, will actually harm you rather than help you.

    “Sleepless night can make us cranky and moody. But a lesser known side effect of sleep deprivation is short-term euphoria, which can potentially lead to poor judgment and addictive behavior, according to new research from the University of California, Berkeley.”

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    Lack of sleep can result in decreased immune system function and reduced ability to consolidate recently formed memories, says Boston College. Therefore you are more susceptible to catching whatever icky bug is floating around campus and all that information you’re trying to stuff into your head as the wee hours of the morning tick by probably won’t stick as well as you hope.

    I could go on. But before you leave, please promise me that you’ll get some sleep every single night this week. Taking a three hour study break to catch some Z’s is actually more helpful than taping your eyelids open and attempting to memorize the neurotransmitters and their functions with a double espresso in your hand. Your grades, and your sanity, will thank you.

    Read more about the science here:
    https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/01/150123121735.htm
    https://psychology.berkeley.edu/news/pulling-all-nighter-can-bring-euphoria-and-risky-behavior
    https://www.bc.edu/offices/healthpro/health-campaigns/sweet-dreamzzz/Sleepforhealth/the-cost-of-sleep-deprivation.html

    Get connected!
    Instagram & Twitter:  #PsychRC
    Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/rcpsychology
    Blog:  https://psych.pages.roanoke.edu/
    Linked In:  https://www.linkedin.com/groups/RC-Psychology-8140491/about
    Website:  https://www.roanoke.edu/inside/a-z_index/psychology

  • VT Carilion Lecture: Can We Live to 100?

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    You are invited to attend the next VTCRI Distinguished Public Lecture by Marie Bernard, M.D., on Thursday, December 10 at 5:30 PM in room M203 at the VTC on, “Can We Live to 100? New Evidence from the National Institute on Aging.” Dr. Bernard is the Deputy Director of the National Institute of Aging (NIA) at the National Institutes of health (NIH) in Bethesda, MD.    Dr. Bernard is  a charter fellow and past president of the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education; she has received the Tibbitt’s award from the Association of gerontology for outstanding contributions to gerontology and gerontology education; and she has served on the board of directors of the international longevity center.  She has been repeatedly recognized among the best doctors in America. Prior to serving as the Deputy Director of NIA, she was the Reynolds Chair of Geriatric Medicine at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine.  Dr. Bernard has played major roles and served in leadership positions in identifying programs and policies to promote healthy aging, in the identification, treatment and care of adults with dementias, in comparative effectiveness research, and in identifying and growing the workforce for healthcare for older Americans.  Dr. Bernard’s own research program has addressed issues of medication and healthcare management as well as nutrition for the elderly as well as workforce training and education.

    The public lecture will be preceded by an open reception in the VTC café at 5:00 PM. Come out if you can!

    Get connected!
    Instagram & Twitter:  #PsychRC
    Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/rcpsychology
    Blog:  https://psych.pages.roanoke.edu/
    Linked In:  https://www.linkedin.com/groups/RC-Psychology-8140491/about
    Website:  https://www.roanoke.edu/inside/a-z_index/psychology

  • Poster Session Dec. 10th!

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    Come out to Fintel library from noon to 1pm this Thursday, December 10th and see what our students have been up to! There will be pizza and it’s open to everyone. Hope to see you there!

    Get connected!
    Instagram & Twitter:  #PsychRC
    Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/rcpsychology
    Blog:  https://psych.pages.roanoke.edu/
    Linked In:  https://www.linkedin.com/groups/RC-Psychology-8140491/about
    Website:  https://www.roanoke.edu/inside/a-z_index/psychology

  • Congratulations to Stephanie Gaines – Psi Chi Research Grant Awardee!

    Stephanie Gaines with her advisor, Dr. Powell
    Stephanie Gaines with her advisor, Dr. Powell

    Ms. Stephanie Gaines, a junior at Roanoke College,
    has been named as one of the recipients of the
    Psi Chi Undergraduate Research Grant!

    Her independent study project was conducted to gather information on emerging adults’ anticipated self-efficacy regarding future roles. The aims were two-fold. First, to replicate the previous research on transitional roles such as getting married or becoming a parent. Second, to expand the research on gradual roles such as becoming financially independent and managing one’s own healthcare.  She was particularly interested in how emerging adults’ current self-efficacy, mastery and vicarious experiences, as well as subjective norms were associated with their anticipated self-efficacy for adult roles. Participants were recruited from Roanoke College Psychology classes, the larger student body, and from Amazon’s Mechanical Turk. Analyses are currently underway.

    Congratulations, Stephanie!
    We look forward to seeing your results. Keep up the great work! 

  • Seeking Research Assistants!

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    Professors in the Psych department are looking for lab research new members next semester!

    Dr. Buchholz

    His research and teaching interests include social psychology, evolutionary psychology, self, music, and complex systems theory. If you are interested in joining his lab, click the link below to apply and find out more info!

    https://www.roanoke.edu/inside/a-z_index/psychology/research_and_internships/undergraduate_research/dr_buchholzs_research_lab.

    Dr. Gornick

    Dr. Gornick’s research focuses on rhetoric in political, health and social-cultural context with an emphasis on Integrative Complexity.

    If you are interested in joining her lab, go to link below to apply and get more info!

    https://www.roanoke.edu/inside/a-z_index/psychology/research_and_internships/undergraduate_research/dr_gornicks_research_lab. You can also stop by LS 525 to pick up an application.

    Dr. Freedman

    Her research focuses on the processes and consequences of social rejection with a special focus on the point of view of rejectors. If you are interested in Dr. Freedman’s lab, email her at freedman@roanoke.edu. Click the link below to get more info!

    https://www.roanoke.edu/inside/a-z_index/psychology/research_and_internships/undergraduate_research/dr_freedmans_research_lab.

    Get connected!
    Instagram & Twitter:  #PsychRC
    Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/rcpsychology
    Blog:  https://psych.pages.roanoke.edu/
    Linked In:  https://www.linkedin.com/groups/RC-Psychology-8140491/about
    Website:  https://www.roanoke.edu/inside/a-z_index/psychology

  • Facebook Speaker Coming Dec. 3!

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    Get connected!
    Instagram & Twitter:  #PsychRC
    Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/rcpsychology
    Blog:  https://psych.pages.roanoke.edu/
    Linked In:  https://www.linkedin.com/groups/RC-Psychology-8140491/about
    Website:  https://www.roanoke.edu/inside/a-z_index/psychology

  • New York Times asks, “Can You Get Smarter?”

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    The New York Times ran an op-ed piece last week about the idea of getting smarter in a way similar to lifting weights. Take a read at the link below!

    https://nyti.ms/1R1tfLM

    Get connected!
    Instagram & Twitter:  #PsychRC
    Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/rcpsychology
    Blog:  https://psych.pages.roanoke.edu/
    Linked In:  https://www.linkedin.com/ (Join RC Psychology group)
    Website:  https://www.roanoke.edu/inside/a-z_index/psychology

  • Faculty Research

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    Congratulations to Dr. Nichols for his recent publication in JUNE!

    Here is the journal issue:  https://www.funjournal.org/current-issue/

    Direct link to the article is: https://www.funjournal.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/june-14-74.pdf

     

    Get connected!
    Instagram & Twitter:  #PsychRC
    Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/rcpsychology
    Blog:  https://psych.pages.roanoke.edu/
    Linked In:  https://www.linkedin.com/ (Join RC Psychology group)
    Website:  https://www.roanoke.edu/inside/a-z_index/psychology