Psych Scoop, 11/24/21

November 24th, 2021

The Psych Scoop is sent to all Psychology Undergraduate students and alumni every Tuesday throughout the academic school year. 

Share your news with psyadvis@umn.edu!

Psychology Advising Announcements

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1. Psychology Advising Closed Thursday, November 25th and Friday, November 26th

The Psychology Advising office will be closed on Thursday, November 25th, and Friday, November 26th for the official University holiday. If you have any questions during that time, please be sure to email us at psyadvis@umn.edu and we will get back to you as soon as possible, starting Monday, November 29th.

Events

2. HBCU Exchange Through NSE - Alumni Panel and Info Session

Thursday, December 2, 2021, 2:00 pm- 3:00 pm CST
Cost: Free
Location: Online

Through the National Student Exchange (NSE), U of M undergrads can exchange to a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) for a semester or year! Students continue to pay U of M tuition and receive most U of M financial aid and scholarships. Credits transfer back easily to the U of M. There are 11 HBCUs available for exchange through NSE: Alabama State, Bowie State (MD), Florida A&M, NC Central, Prairie View A&M (TX), SC State, Southern University (LA), Tuskegee University (AL), UVI St. Croix, UVI St. Thomas, and Virginia State. The priority application deadline for fall 2022 or spring 2023 is February 15th, 2022. Begin your application anytime. RSVP for the info session through Zoom. Can't make the info session or have questions? Send an email to David Holliday at holli107@umn.edu.

Courses of Interest

3. PSY 3896: Internship in Psychology - 1-4 Credits

Make your internship experience count toward your PSY Major! The class credits (1-4 credits) are based on the number of hours that you work at your internship during the Spring 2022 semester. The online course assignments are a complement to your learning in your internship setting. Example sites from the past include Minneapolis Public Schools, People Serving People, Sexual Violence Center, Tubman, and the Walk-In Counseling Center. Look for more opportunities in the Psych Scoop and even more on GoldPass. You have time! Late registration is allowed through the end of the 2nd week of the Spring semester. Steps to register for PSY 3896:
1.) Student secures an internship with a site
2.) Submit a "Request an Experience" form on GoldPASS and receive approval
3.) Permission number to register for the course will then be emailed to you
PSY 3896 coursework is online (asynchronous); sites requiring in-person work will need to be approved by the College Internship staff

PSY 3896 is completely online

Instructor: Michael Houlahan

Note: this course counts as elective credit for the Psychology majors only.

4. PSY 4206: Interventions for Health and Wellness - 3 Credits

This is an advanced topics course for undergraduate students interested in learning about empirically-tested psychological interventions to increase health and happiness. In the first half of the course, the focus will be on interventions for wellbeing, and students will test different strategies on themselves each week (as well as read the research literature on the strategies) as they attempt to increase their happiness levels. In the second half of the course, the focus will be on interventions to change health behavior, and students will again test different strategies on themselves each week as they attempt to maintain a new health goal. A group project will involve creating an intervention to increase happiness on campus. The course consists of lectures, discussions, data collection, etc. Limited to 30 students. Prerequisite: PSY 3206 is recommended, but not required.

PSY 4206 will meet in Elliott Hall N391, Wednesdays from 9:00 am- 11:30 am CST

Instructor: Traci Mann

Note: This course was formerly PSY 4960-001, acceptable as a Distribution Area B course for the majors or minors or a Psychology elective.

5. PSY 4960 - 002: Psychology & Diversity Science - 3 credits

This is an advanced course for undergraduate students interested in research, theory, history, and practice related to psychological perspectives in Diversity Science. Diversity Science broadly pertains to understanding causes, consequences, and correlates of human group-based variations, in terms of race, ethnicity, gender, and the like. Students will learn how to adopt a scientific, analytic perspective on current issues and debates related to diversity within both academic research and popular culture. The course consists of lectures, discussions, and a substantial amount of hands-on learning through the use and analysis of relevant research data. The prerequisite is PSY 3001W. In addition, completion of PSY 3301 is strongly recommended.

PSY 4960 - 002 will meet in Bruininks 131A, Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:45 am- 11:00 am CST

Instructor: Moin Syed

Note: This course will be renumbered to PSY 4301, acceptable as a Distribution Area B course for the majors or minors or a Psychology elective.

6. PSY 4960 - 003: Advanced Topics in Quantitative Methods: R Programming - 3 credits

Conducting psychological research involves collecting data, but what happens next? Completing research projects involves more than just analyzing data! In this course, we will learn about the research pipeline and how to incorporate Open Science practices to generate reproducible and transparent analyses. Specifically, students will learn both basic and advanced R programming to carry out data cleaning, analyses, and visualization. Finally, students will learn how to share their code and data via GitHub. A large component of this course will involve hands-on programming that will culminate in an independent final project. It is strongly suggested that students take PSY3801: Introduction to Psychological Measurement and Data Analysis prior to taking this course, but it is not required.

PSY 4960-001 will meet in Elliott Hall N423, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:45 am- 11:00 am CST

Instructor: Dr. Amanda Woodward

Note: this course counts as elective credit for the Psychology majors. If you are a minor, please email us at psyadvis@umn.edu about the course.

Research

7. Submit Undergraduate Research to MURAJ

You are invited to submit your research for publication in the Minnesota Undergraduate Research and Academic Journal (MURAJ). To be eligible, you must be an undergraduate student at the University of Minnesota. Submissions are due by 11:59 P.M. CST on December 31st. If you have any questions, please reach out to muraj@umn.edu or attend the virtual informational meeting on December 6, 7-8 pm (Zoom Link).

8. Undergraduate Research Journal of Psychology Call for Submissions - UCLA

Have you completed a research paper in a psychology-related field (i.e. psychology, cognitive science, neuroscience, linguistics)? Are you looking for a platform to publish your work? If so, The Undergraduate Research Journal of Psychology at UCLA (URJP) WANTS YOU to submit your papers for our annual publication, expected to be released in Spring 2022. URJP is an organization dedicated to informing the community of psychological findings through research run by undergraduates from all universities. Last year, we received submissions ranging from local to international universities. URJP is one of the few established psychology journals that publishes undergraduate psychological research. Papers must be original work and have never been published before. If you have not completed an independent research project, we still encourage you to apply by submitting a “literature review article” which does not require access to research data. The deadline to submit papers has been extended to December 15, 2021, at 11:59 P.M. PST. Multiple submissions from one author are welcome. Read more and submit your paper today!

9. *Credit, Volunteer, or Paid* Research Assistant Studying Traumatic Brain Injury and Traumatic Stress at Minneapolis VA

Drs. Seth Disner, Nicholas Davenport, and Scott Sponheim are looking for a full-time or part-time paid Research Assistant to work at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. This individual will assist in projects investigating the long-term neurologic effects and treatment outcomes related to traumatic brain injury and stress disorders in military service members. Research methods use genetic analysis, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), cognitive testing, and assessments of trauma exposure and symptoms. Responsibilities will include overseeing participant recruitment, collection/management of genetic samples, and management of study-related databases (including large-scale genomic and imaging datasets from international collaborations). Additionally, the opportunity exists for qualified candidates to become involved in data analysis under the supervision of study investigators (including possible MRI and/or genomic analyses). This position is only available to citizens of the United States. Those looking to be paid for the experience must currently hold a 4-year degree. Successful candidates typically have an academic background in psychology or related sciences and a 3.5 GPA or higher. The preferred candidate has experience working with military veteran populations, administering clinical assessments, and experience with data management/statistical analysis programs. If you are interested, please send a copy of your cover letter, resume, and unofficial transcripts to Dr. Seth Disner at disne014@umn.edu.

10. *Volunteer* Internship with Clinical and Research Experience

The Center for Practice Transformation in the School of Social Work is seeking highly motivated volunteer student interns to assist with community-based research. CPT is currently conducting outcomes research with a large substance use disorder treatment provider based in Minnesota. Student responsibilities would include participant outreach, phone-based data collection, and data entry. Qualifications include excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills; basic computer skills including use of Microsoft Excel, interest in clinical care for individuals with mental health and substance use disorders, and the ability to work remotely. Preference will be given to students who are able to commit to 12 months of involvement and have availability after 12 pm for 2-10 hours per week. To apply, please contact Jennifer Wiseman at wisem017@umn.edu with a brief statement of your interest and CV or resume.

11. *Credit or Volunteer* VA TBI Research Opportunity

The Research Exploring Psychological Assessment and Individualized Rehabilitation (REPAIR) Lab, led by Dr. Jacob Finn, at the Minneapolis VA is looking for new volunteer research assistants. Current projects focus on traumatic brain injury (TBI) in service members and veterans. Research assistant duties include screening and recruiting participants, scheduling research appointments, running research sessions, conducting follow-up assessments, conducting interviews to assess functioning, documenting efforts in clinical charts, collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary rehabilitation team, and reporting progress to collaborators. Dr. Finn expects volunteer research assistants to commit at least 8 hours per week to the lab. Due to the training required, volunteers are expected to commit to at least two semesters in the lab. REPAIR research takes place in a medical rehabilitation environment, and as such, professional behavior and attire are expected. Ideal candidates will have a GPA ≥ 3.2, strong organizational and interpersonal skills, and a proficiency in Microsoft Office products. Per Department of Veterans Affairs policy, all research assistants must be U.S. citizens. Interested parties should send a copy of their transcripts and a curriculum vitae to Dr. Finn at Jacob.Finn@va.gov.

12. *Credit or Volunteer* Social Interaction Lab

Dr. Jeff Simpson’s Social Interactions Lab is seeking motivated and reliable research assistants (RAs) to join our team for an ongoing project about parenting, parent-child relationships, and adult romantic relationships. We will be collecting data from parents and their children. Data collection will occur in person. We do not currently have any remote opportunities available and will not consider applicants who cannot attend in-person lab sessions. Because we have many community participants, we must be flexible in scheduling the lab sessions. That means most of the time you will be working in the evening and on weekends, and the schedule will change from week to week. Successful applicants must have at least 6 chunks of 3+ hours available each week and these times must include weekends and evenings. Prospective RAs should be able to commit ~9 hours/week. We are hiring for RAs to start both immediately and in the spring 2022 semester. A strong preference will be given to applicants who can start sooner than the spring semester, though applicants for any start date between now and the spring semester are welcome. To learn more about our lab, please visit our website. Apply online. If you have any questions about these positions, you can contact the project supervisor, Jami Eller, via email at eller091@umn.edu.

13. *Credit or Volunteer* Research Assistant Studying Effects of Under-Representation in Face Perception

Can training help people to better recognize faces from groups they see less of? Research assistants are needed to help design study and test participants. Some coursework in Cognitive or Perceptual Psychology and Research Methods are a plus, but not required. The position is for Spring Semester, and longer if desired, either for PSY 5993 credit or volunteer hours, with some paid hours possible. If interested, or to find out more, contact Prof. Stephen Engel by email at engel@umn.edu.

14. *Credit or Volunteer* Research Positions in Woodward Lab

Dr. Amanda Woodward is seeking undergraduate research assistants to contribute to research studies investigating aspects of social cognition during Spring 2021. Research projects will examine how young children (2 - 6 years) and adults view social exclusion and friendship. Research assistants will gain skills related to conducting developmental research online. These positions are ideal for students who would like to get hands-on experience with data collection, analysis, and study design. Students should be willing to commit to 6 – 9 hours of lab work a week (including some weekend or evening availability). Opportunities to continue past the Spring semester may be available. Please contact Dr. Woodward if interested by email at woodw284@umn.edu and include a brief note about your interest. For more information about this research or my mentorship style, please visit my website.

Resources

15. TRIO McNair Scholars Accepting Applications for Summer 2022

The University of Minnesota's federally funded TRIO McNair Scholars Program is now accepting applications for our 2022 McNair Cohort. The McNair Program strives to increase the rate of doctoral program application, matriculation, and degree attainment by first-generation college students who are underrepresented in graduate programs. Through rigorous and intentional programming, the McNair Program generates in our students the higher-level academic and research skills necessary to gain admission to and successfully complete graduate study. A key strength of UMN McNair is the over two hundred faculty mentors from throughout the University who volunteer their time to mentor and support McNair Scholars. Attend an info session or explore the website to learn more. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, February 1, 2022.

Engagement

16. Make a Difference at Tubman

Are you passionate about making a difference? Tubman relies on volunteers and interns to make a difference in every facet of our work. The passion and energy of our amazing volunteers and interns are essential to the daily work of our organization, and to support our clients and community. We encourage applications from people of color, all genders, multilingual speakers, veterans, and those who have disabilities. We offer a five-part orientation and training series for Tubman volunteers and interns. Most volunteer and internship positions require attendance at all five sessions, with positions beginning after training has been completed. Some open positions include NorthStar Youth Outreach Advocate Volunteer and Resource Advocates. Learn more and apply today.

Jobs/Internship Opportunities

IMPORTANT: Organizations listed below are not necessarily affiliated with or endorsed by the Department of Psychology or Psychology Undergraduate Advising. Please exercise the same discretion you would in viewing any other source.

17. Administrative Assistant

David Hoy & Associates is a group therapy practice looking to hire a full-time Administrative Assistant. This is the perfect position for someone graduating with a major in Psychology! The position is partially remote, partially in person at our offices. Please contact Nicole Recke to learn more by email at nicole.recke@davidhoy.com.

18. Community Mental Health Worker - Residential Transitions, Inc.

Residential Transitions, Inc. is an award-winning organization that provides person-centered care for adults with disabilities to live independently. We serve our clients in the community, in their homes, and at our sites throughout the metro. We make the difference in the lives of the individuals that we serve, and now we just need you. We are hiring for a wide range of positions from entry-level to management and our organization is an incredible place to start or further your mental health career. Residential Transitions, Inc. is also proud to offer free CEUs and can offer clinically supervised hours towards practicum and licensure. In addition, RTI provides monthly training at no cost to you! Explore all of our opportunities on our website.

19. Research Professionals - TRiCAM UMN

The Translational Research in Cognitive and Affective Mechanisms (TRiCAM) laboratory in the Department of Psychology seeks to hire a Research Specialist (Research Professional 1, 8352P1) responsible for conducting human psychological research and coordinating scholars (to include students and other scientists) affiliated with the laboratory. The Research Specialist will work as part of a team to refine experimental protocols, and then to recruit, test, and train research participants in completing the protocols. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Apply online via the University of Minnesota Employment System; reference job opening ID 344444.

TRiCAM is also seeking applicants for an Advanced Research Coordinator (Research Professional 2, 8352P2). This position is ideal for an advanced scientist or researcher who wants to grow their career by engaging in all aspects of experimental psychopathology, including patient interactions, data collection, analyses, training, and supervising other scientists, with the potential for interpretation and manuscript preparation. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Apply online via the University of Minnesota Employment System; reference job opening ID 344542.

20. Clinical Research Assistant - Pediatric Anxiety Research Center, Rhode Island

The Pediatric Anxiety Research Center (PARC; located in Bradley Hospital in East Providence, RI and affiliated with the Brown Medical School) is an integrated research and clinical program nationally recognized in pediatric OCD and anxiety. PARC encompasses research projects, outpatient services, and an Intensive Treatment Program for OCD. PARC is looking for a full-time clinical research assistant to support research activities for multiple ongoing research projects. Commitment to at least two years in a position is preferred. The Improving Access to Child Anxiety Treatment (IMPACT) study is focused on increasing treatment options for youth with anxiety and OCD funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). Research duties may include consenting patients and families, scheduling participants, data entry and analysis, collaboration with community partners and stakeholders, preparing submissions to the Institutional Review Board (IRB), drafting study progress reports for funders, and behavioral coding of exposure treatment sessions. Participation in multidisciplinary discussions regarding research design and implementation is expected. Clinical responsibilities will include screening research participants, administering rating scales, and administering diagnostic interviews to study participants. Bachelor's degree required. This position requires relocation/ ability to commute to Bradley Hospital in East Providence, RI. The position starts in early 2022. To apply, please send a cover letter, resume/CV, and two written recommendations (sent directly by your recommenders) to Kate Sheehan at parc.impact@gmail.com no later than December 15, 2021. We will review applications as they are received and contact applicants to extend interview invitations. Please address application materials (i.e., cover letter, resume/CV, and two letters of recommendation) to Kristen Benito, Ph.D. We are actively trying to increase the diversity and representativeness of the Pediatric Anxiety Research Center and the people it serves. Applicants from diverse backgrounds and/or who speak Spanish are strongly encouraged to apply.