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Supervised Practicum Experience with Prevention of High-Risk Drinking Among College Students, Brad Smith, Ph.D. Supervised Practicum Experience with Young Adolescents, Brad Smith, Ph.D. Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Brad Smith, Ph.D. Changing Carolina: College Men Can Make A Difference, Suzanne Swan, Ph.D. Research on the Changing Carolina Project, Suzanne Swan, Ph.D. Judgment and Decision Making, Doug Wedell, Ph.D. Research Experience - Exercise Science Class Dr. Shawn Youngstedt is looking for 2 undergraduate students interested in gaining research experience to take an independent study EXSC class. The duties of these students will include:
Animal Care & Training Internship
Methods of Interviewing Suspected Victims of Sexual Abuse The Assessment and Resource Center (the ARC) at the South Carolina Department of Mental Health in Columbia has two independent study slots available for undergraduate research assistants. Positions are available immediately. Juniors and Seniors are preferred. A six to 12 month commitment is necessary. The ARC is an outpatient clinic that specializes in forensic interviewing of children who are suspected of maltreatment. Children are interviewed upon referral from DSS or law enforcement. The ARC also provides clinical intervention to child victims of abuse. This research project is funded by the SC Department of Mental Health. It involves investigating whether different methods of interviewing result in different levels of expert certainty that abuse has occurred. Suspected victims of sexual abuse, ages 4-7, are targeted in the study. Research assistantship duties include viewing videtapes of interviews and documenting the frequencies of certain behaviors by the child and the interviewer. Hours are somewhat flexible. Research assistants will have opportunities to review selected literature in the field of child sexual abuse, observe real-life court testimony regarding child abuse, and participate in various other activities that promote knowledge and understanding of the field. Those interested in this experience should contact:
Assessment and Resource Center, SCDMH (803) 898-1470 Hands on Research Experience Opportunities are available for undergraduate researchers to join our Language and Cognition aLab. Check out the undergraduate research section of our lab’s web page by clicking here. What the Eyes Say about Language How do people process spoken language? Why do we sometimes choose to use a name, in other times a pronoun, and in yet other times a category term? How do we choose between “Clinton”, “Bill”, “him”, “the former president”, or the “last democratic president”? We are tracking participant’s eye movements as they look at pictures of possible objects and people and listen to spoken language to study the factors that make some references better than others. Opportunities are available for undergraduate researchers to join our Language and Cognition aLab. Check out the undergraduate research section of our lab’s web page by clicking here. Language and Memory Impairments in Aging and Dementia How are language and memory related? To answer this question we are looking at the language and memory changes in healthy aging, and in patients with Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson's Disease, and Huntington's Disease. Opportunities are available for undergraduate researchers to join our Language and Cognition aLab. Check out the undergraduate research section of our lab’s web page by clicking here. Children with Learning and Behavior Problems
Want Research Experience? Like Working with Kids? Dr. Ardoin is looking for undergraduates who are interested in working 1 on 1 with children who have problems learning and children who have problems behaving appropriately in their classroom. Undergraduate research assistants will get hands on experience in implementing both behavioral and academic interventions, designing research experiments, and collecting data. Requirements
Student Stress Study Have you ever encountered stress as a student? Sure you have!! This independent study opportunity will focus on discovering the physiological and psychological effects of stress among USC students. Students must be reliable, hard working,and mature. Independent study students must also have experience interacting with culturally diverse populations. Health related experience is necessary. Skills in survey administration and laboratory blood pressure monitoring will be developed in this course. You'll also learn about blood pressure and EKG monitoring. This is a good experience for students interested in health psychology, pre-med, or public health. ICSC: Behavioral Surveillance of Risky Sexual Behaviors Responsible, mature undergraduates are wanted to assist in collection and coding of anonymous information related to sexually transmitted diseases risk behaviors. This independent study opportunity will focus on factors influencing risky sexual behavior among young, lower SES individuals in the community. Independent study students must have experience interacting with culturally diverse populations. Health related experience is highly desirable. Since sexual behavior is being assessed, potential independent study students must evidence the ability to handle sensitive issues in a confidential fashion. Skills in survey administration and community health promotion will be developed in this course. Students will be introduced to the workings of public health agencies.
Infants in a Lumpy World We live in a lumpy world - one that is divided into things and the background space. How do we decide what parts of our visual experience corresponds to things, and what corresponds to the gaps between things? This skill is so good that we scarcely realize that we do it. When do we learn this? Or is it innate? Experiments on infants and young children will examine the origins of this figure-ground segmentation.
What Makes YOU So Special? People have different cognitive skills. Sometimes skills vary with personality traits or with gender. We will carry out experiments to understand what perceptual skills vary between people, and how we might predict the attentional and perceptual ability of people.
Processing Complex Visual Information What do we see at a glance? What takes a second look? What is important? What should we ignore? Opportunities are available for undergraduates to work in a laboratory to explore what makes sense in the vast amount of complex visual information. This research involves undergraduate subjects, and occasionally patients with brain damage who have problems processing visual information.
Recovery of Neural Function: Development of Seizures; and Aging of Brain Mechanisms Laboratory introduction to the study principles of neural reorganization and development influences in the auditory system. Introduction into theory and methods of neural intervention, neurochemistry, and recordings of auditory brainstem response. No previous research laboratory experience required. Readings are assigned from research literature. A background in biology or chemistry is helpful.
The Multidimensional Inventory of African American Functioning (MIAAF) Number of students: 2 independent study students in Psychology Description of Project: The two independent study students will work on a project entitled, The Multidimensional Inventory of African American Functioning (MIAAF), which is a psychological measure that is being created by Dr. Greer. This measure is being created to assist clinicians in providing culturally competent mental health services to African American adults. The measure consists of 6 subscales that capture biopsychosocial factors that are related to the overall functioning of African American adult clients (e.g., social support, general health status, perceived oppression, self-concept). It is being designed for the purpose of deriving culturally appropriate treatment plans and interventions. Pilot administration of the measure to occur Fall 2006. Specific Activities for Students: Independent study students will be involved in sorting and rating items for each of the 6 subscales. Thus, students will play a very important role in helping to determine which items will be included in the pilot version of the measure. For additional information, please contact Dr. Greer at 777-6413 and/or e-mail, tmgreer@sc.edu
Children's Happiness and Life Satisfaction Research on nature, antecedents, and correlates of children's self-reports of happiness and life satisfaction. Time commitments, nature of responsibilities, and credit hours can be negotiated. Depending on interests and skills, responsibilities might include such activities as collecting data in local schools, entering data into computer, writing a review of the literature or co-authoring manuscripts for publication. Students should have junior or above standing. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better is preferred. Evaluation of an Improvisation Theater Troupe in Spartanburg SC The purpose of this opportunity is to further develop the skills of an advanced undergraduate student in the area of research, data analyses, and report writing. The project is an evaluation of an improvisation theater troupe in Spartanburg SC that has been in existence for 10 years. Data are regularly collected and needs to be analyzed and compiled into a first draft of an article to be submitted for publication. Knowledge and interest in research and statistics is preferable. The project will be under the direction of Dr. Pam Imm a community psychologist working in SC. There is also an opportunity for co-authorship on the publication. Please contact:
Dr. Pam Imm
Behavioral Neuroscience This independent study investigates the effects of alcohol exposure during development of the central nervous system and behavior. The project uses a rat model of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and the student will become involved in exposing rats to alcohol during the prenatal and early postnatal period, behavioral testing of infant and adult rats, neurochemical assays, and anatomical techniques. The current work is focused on an examination of how alcohol alters social behavior in rats across development. The independent study will involve approximately 9 hours per week of lab work an some of the work may be on weekends. Readings from the scientific literature will be required. The student should have already completed or be taking Psychology 460 and should plan on doing 6 credits of independent study over two semesters. This independent study is available during summer sessions and the Fall and Spring semesters. It is an excellent experience for someone planning on going into graduate school in Behavioral Neuroscience.
Children of Domestic Violence Wanted: 3 undergraduate psychology or education majors who are interested in working with children or issues of domestic violence. 3 hours of independent study credit are being offered for this project, but others interested in participating on a voluntary basis are welcome. The project consists of piloting a 6-week intervention program for the children of domestic violence perpetrators through a local non-profit organization. The goal of the project is to reduce the interpersonal violence instigated by this population through changing their attitudes toward and their knowledge of domestic violence. Some of the major topics to be covered are respect for oneself and others, safety in violent situations, and assertiveness techniques. Students will facilitate the one and a half hour weekly sessions with the adolescents, ages 11-17, through short lectures, group discussions, and group activities. The program will likely begin in March, with student training being completed in February. Through this project students will gain knowledge of and counseling experience with an at-risk adolescent population. Students will also have the opportunity to work with and be supervised by a trained domestic violence therapist. This project would be a great one to add to a resume when pursuing jobs or graduate school, or to just add to one's repertoire of experience! The project is being directed by Dr. Fred Medway and Ashley Jones Brewer in the Psychology Department. For more details or to apply for a position, please contact Ashley by phone at 787-1382 or 348-2855, or by email abrewer@sc.rr.com. Psychological Development of Young Infants Students are needed to assist in a research project involving the psychological development of young infants. The research involves the evaluation of changes in heart rate and breathing that occurs during the visual attention in infants from 2 to 6 months of age, and prediction of attention "capacity" with resting cardiac and respiration measures. Duties involve contacting potential subjects' parents over the telephone to obtain participation in this study, running the subjects in the experiment, analysis of the data and computer usage and programming. Students in this research must be advanced undergraduate or graduate students in Psychology, interested and/or have a background in Developmental Psychology and Physiological Psychology. Computer skills are a plus, but student will be trained. Co-authorship on publications for persons becoming especially involved in research projects is a possibility. Possible employment as research assistant during the school year or in the summer or as a graduate assistant. Supervised Practicum Experience with Prevention of High-Risk Drinking Among College Students The Community Psychology Practicum (Psychology 489, Section 002, Spring and Fall 2004) provides the opportunity for students to gain practical experience with teaching and alcohol interventions. During the Spring semester of 2004, students enrolled in Psychology 489 will participate in developing the content and delivery of presentations designed to reduce high-risk drinking among first-year college students. Training will focus on basic knowledge of the pharmacology of alcohol and the harm reduction approach to high-risk drinking. Students will also learn generic presentation skills and group discussion facilitation techniques. During training in the spring of 2004, peer leaders will attend weekly training meetings supervised by the Laura Talbott, the Director of the USC Office of Alcohol and Drug Programs, and Dr. Brad Smith, an associate professor in the Department of Psychology. Additionally during the spring of 2004, students will have weekly homework assignments to help develop the interactive, multimedia presentations for the University 101 classes. Grading will be based on class performance, including completion of homework assignments, and a 10-page term paper on a topic approved by Dr. Smith. During the Fall of 2004, students who took Psychology 489 in the Spring of 2004 will be expected to lead several class meetings of University 101. Students will receive variable course credit in the Fall of 2004 depending on the student’s level of participation. Grading in the Fall of 2004 will be based on ratings of videotaped presentations, participation in group supervision meetings, and a 10-page term paper on a topic approved by Dr. Smith. Interested students should contact Laura Talbott at 777-5781 or by e-mail at talbottl@gwm.sc.edu. Supervised Practicum Experience with Young Adolescents
Psychology 489, Section 001
Tuesday and Thursday, 3:30 to 6:00 PM, plus 2 hours of individually scheduled supervision The Community Psychology Practicum (Psychology 489, Section 001, Spring 2004) provides the opportunity for students to gain practical experience by serving as primary counselors in the Challenging Horizons Program (CHP). This program is an after-school program for young adolescents with learning and behavior problems. The program meets on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 3:45 to 6:00 PM at Hand Middle School. Primary counselors work with the adolescents individually and in groups. Interventions focus on academic and organizational skills, social skills, and communication with families and teachers. If you are interested in getting course credit for being a primary counselor in the CHP or doing research in the CHP, please contact Josh Langberg at 777-8041. This section of the Community Psychology Practicum is taught and supervised by Dr. Brad Smith. Grading is based on quality of service delivery to the adolescents and a 10 page term paper. Reading includes a treatment manual (over 100 pages) and research literature pertinent to the student’s term paper on a topic approved by Dr. Smith. Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder We are currently involved in studies of high-risk drinking, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and related problems among college students. Several students have successfully completed independent studies with our group. Activities and hours are flexible and can be worked out on an individual basis with Dr. Smith. Past activities have included learning more about research design, data collection, and the use of computers in research. Most students have studied their own hypotheses using our data and written brief research papers. A few have presented their work at major national conferences. This type of experience is looked upon very favorably by graduate programs in psychology and related fields. Please feel free to inquire about joining us in our research activities. You can contact Dr. Smith at 777-4294 or e-mail him at smithbrad@sc.edu. You are also invited to stop by our lab in Barnwell, room 508, 777-6751.
Changing Carolina: College Men Can Make A Difference
PSYC 589/HPEB 399, Fall 2007
Only a small percentage of men are responsible for the majority of violence on college campuses.
Unfortunately, few men are actively involved in preventing violence. Men can work to prevent violence
not only by not personally engaging in violence, but also by understanding the connection between gender
roles and violence, as well as challenging societal norms which support violence. We invite you to become
actively involved in an effort to reduce violence on campus by learning how gender affects all of our lives.
The Changing Carolina course will discuss men’s roles through a discussion based, practicum style course.
The class will talk about men’s roles in society by examining gender roles, masculinity, and how they can
be redefined to help stop relationship violence and assault.
Research on the Changing Carolina project
PSYC 498, Maymester / Summer I/Summer II /Fall 2007 Dr. Swan’s Intimate Partner Violence lab is seeking psychology majors who want to go to graduate school in psychology and who want to learn about the process of conducting research. Students will be involved in various aspects of the research including administering surveys to students, transcribing focus groups conducted with male students about the topic of violence and gender roles, and helping to prepare reports about students’ perceptions of gender and violence on the USC campus. Students will also have opportunities to be involved in other research projects related to intimate partner violence.
Judgment and Decision Making Have you ever wondered how people make the decisions that they do? For instance, why do some people prefer risky options to safer ones, or how do people choose one apartment from all of the available apartments in the city? In our lab, we explore the issues involved in judgment and decision making situations like these. In particular, we seek to develop cognitive models of the process of decision making in order to better understand the process and possibly improve it. Past and current issues explored in our lab include: What strategies do people use to make decisions? How do consumers choose products? Does attractiveness depend on your context? How do people feel about risky decisions? We are currently seeking an ambitious junior or senior with an interest in decision making to be a research assistant. Responsibilities would include the following: library research, construction of stimulus materials, analysis of data, collecting data for ongoing projects, and the development of new research issues. Your creativity and hard work will be rewarded with research experience and the development of your own ideas, both of which are invaluable for a Psychology major seeking admission to graduate school. |
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