Student research opportunities

College Life
1

<p>Dr. Breneiser’s learning and memory lab is mainly concerned with examining prospective memory (memory to perform an action, on one’s own, in the future). Dr. Breneiser also has a research interest in metamemory (“do you know what you know?”), and the effects of different study methods on test performance.</p>

<p>Dr. Browne’s cognitive neuroscience lab is currently investigating various factors that influence memory such as depth of processing, imageability, and semantic variables. The lab is also collecting data on computer/internet use among various age groups as well as animal learning in Dugesia tigrina and D. dorotocephala. A new study on hemisphericity of emotionally valanced items using a lexical decision task paradigm will begin this Fall as well.</p>

<p>The Developmental Science Laboratory is currently researching:

  1. Projective aging (how young and older adults perceive what their life will be like in old age); 2. Reverse ageism and older adult perceptions of the younger generation; 3. The use of coping strategies across the life-span (e.g., social comparisons, human agency , social support, and perceived control); 4. Health-related use of the Internet by older adults and chronically ill younger adults; 5. Using cutting edge game technology (e.g., Nintendo’s Wii and SIMs II Deluxe) to foster intergenerational social interaction among old and young adults</p>

<h2>The Developmental Science Lab is currently investigating the relationship of technology and human behavior across age, including text messaging and classroom behavior, and patterns of use of cell phones and social networks (such as my space and facebook). We are also examining religiosity and behaviors of college students. </h2>

<p>Student research opportunities like those ^, what exactly would a student be doing? Would they show you/tell you exactly what they wanted? How many hours a week do students typically work with a professor in a research lab?</p>

2

<p>If you’re any good, you’ll (likely) be working on a project assigned to you by the professor. In some cases you may be paired with a grad student or postdoc.</p>

<p>If it’s anything less, don’t bother.</p>

3

<p>Generally, your first project will probably involve a lot of data entry and other tasks that a monkey could do. Once you’ve shown that you won’t screw things up, you will likely be given more responsibility and possibly more freedom.</p>

<p>I would disagree w/ fumarole about not doing “anything less,” because you need to start somewhere and most undergrads start at the bottom, so expecting anything more on your first lab experience is just plain arrogant. Accept what’s offered to you at first and then move up from there.</p>

4

<p>Not to mention it’s good to get experience at the bottom so you know how to treat people that are at the bottom once you’re higher up the chain.</p>