Psych Scoop, 5/7/24

May 7, 2024

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

Current majors are expected to know the announcements in the advising announcement section.
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1. Alumni Spotlight: Madison Smiley

Psych Advising loves to show what our amazing psychology alumni are up to through our monthly Alumni Spotlight! Our May spotlight, Madison Smiley (SP '19 - PSY BS) works as a Project Manager at the Data Recognition Corporation. Read more about their tips on finding a career path, getting the most out of your major, and more. Nominate someone who you think would be great to spotlight, including yourself!

2. Study Spaces Available in Elliott Hall During Finals Week

Elliott Hall has some available spaces for you to study for final exams. Elliott Classrooms N119 and N391 are widely available through Friday, May 10th. If you have questions about these spaces, please email psyadvis@umn.edu.

3. Psychology Undergrad Spring 2024 Town Hall - Meeting Minutes Available

The Psychology Student Advisory Council (SAC) met for the 2024 semester on Friday, April 19. Students met with Department faculty and administrative leadership in a Town Hall style event. Topics included Elliot Hall, networking, and course difficulty. Student input is highly valued. We invite those students who could not attend to review the meeting minutes. And, as always, the Department leadership welcomes feedback at any time - anonymous submissions are accepted.

4. Student Position in Psychology Department - PSY 1001 Lecture Recording Support Tech

The Department of Psychology is looking for a reliable and punctual UMN student to support the PSY 1001 (Intro to Psychology) lecture streaming and recording. The student must be available M, W, and F from 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm at Willey Hall (West Bank TC campus) during the Fall (and ideally Spring) semester. Hourly pay is $16.50. To view this job description, visit here. To apply, please visit the U of M Job Website and enter Job ID 360929. All questions can be directed to Silke Moeller at smoeller@umn.edu and Liza Meredith at mere0032@umn.edu.

Events

5. Sci Pride 2024

Saturday, June 29, 2024, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm CST
Cost: Free
Location: Bell Museum, 2088 Larpenteur Ave W, St Paul, MN 55113

The Bell Museum will once again be celebrating the scientific contributions of the LGBTQIA+ community at the University of Minnesota, in partnership with the College of Food Agricultural, and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS), the College of Science and Engineering (CSE), the School of Medicine, the School of Nursing, the School of Public Health, the College of Veterinary Medicine, and the UMN Office of Equity and Diversity. We will celebrate Pride and showcase the work of LGBTQIA+ scientists at the Spotlight Science: Sci Pride event at the Bell Museum on Saturday, June 29, 2024, 10 am - 2 pm. We invite LGBTQIA+ students, faculty, and research staff across the University to share their science through fun, hands-on activities, and demonstrations at this all-ages open-house event. You can learn more about the monthly Spotlight Science series here, and you can view a presentation on translating your work into engaging activities for the public here. If you are interested in showcasing your work, please fill out this interest form. Responses are requested by Friday, May 31. Questions? Contact Kelsey Griffin (griff538@umn.edu), Bell Museum Gallery Programs Coordinator.

Courses of Interest

6. JOUR 4251: Psychology of Advertising - May 2024 Session (3 credits)

Ever wonder what your brain does when you see an advertisement? Ever wonder why advertisements work? And why sometimes they don't? How does advertising compel you to buy things you don't need and what strategies do you use to resist these messages? In this course, we explore a range of theories that explain how advertisements influence memory, attitudes, emotions, and behaviors and how humans actively process and resist persuasive messages.

Online, Asynchronous

Instructor: Dr. Sherri Katz

Note: This course does not count as elective credit for Psychology majors or minors.

7. PSY 5960-001: Topics in Psychology - Socio-Cultural Psychology - Fall 2024 (3 credits)

This course will provide a comprehensive introduction to general theories and methods in socio-cultural psychology. The course examines how social environment and culture shape psychological and physiological functioning, along with the cyclical nature of these relationships. Together, we will focus on specific topics that bridge sociocultural psychology and identity, including group and identity formation, stereotyping, prejudice, stigma, intergroup contact, and multiculturalism. We will also focus on how diverse aspects of humans’ day-to-day lives - including social relationships, cognitive processes, basic visual perception, judgments of morality, and mental illness - both differ and are constant across cultures. Last, we will place special emphasis on critiquing research methods and analyzing real-world treatments of culture based on topics covered in the course. This course has a significant and sustained emphasis on diversity, power, and justice issues.

PSY 5960-001 will meet in Elliott Hall N391, Mondays and Wednesdays, 9:45 am- 11:00 am CST

Instructor: Dr. Drexler James

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.

8. PSY 5960-002: Topics in Psychology - Brain, Reward, and Motivation - Fall 2024 (3 credits)

Can activities like video games or gambling be addictive? What do designers of apps and rewards programs do to make you decide to use their product more than you would otherwise? Does something have to be rewarding for you to do it? This course is aimed at providing an overview of the concepts of reward, motivation, learning, and decision-making, and understanding the brain circuits and molecules that support these processes. We will have a combination of lectures, readings, and discussions on our current scientific understanding of reward and motivation across species, and compare the science to pop culture claims about the brain, memes about dopamine, and ways in which modern apps and video games design take advantage of these insights.

PSY 5960-002 will meet in Elliott Hall N668, Mondays and Wednesdays, 11:15 am- 12:30 pm CST

Instructor: Dr. Nicola Grissom

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.

9. CPSY 4310: Supporting Children, Youth, and Families in Healthcare - Fall 2024 (3 Credits)

Students will gain knowledge and foundational communication skills in helping children, youth and families cope with the stress of a healthcare experience in hospitals and other medical settings. The class will explore the patient and family-centered care model, discuss how early life experiences impact lifelong health and well-being from developmental perspectives, and the unique issues and experiences dealt with by caregivers and siblings of pediatric patients. Recommended for students pursuing pediatric healthcare careers and related graduate programs! Course Prerequisites: At least an introductory course in psychology or developmental psychology.

CPSY 4310 will meet in Blegen Hall 317, Tuesdays, 11:00 am- 12:45 pm CST

Instructor: Sarah Wiebler, M.S.

Note: This course does not count as elective credit for Psychology majors or minors.

10. OUE 1101-004: Fall 2024 (3 Credits)

This fall TASC is excited to offer a pilot section of OUE 1101 (OUE 1101-004) that specifically focuses on developing executive functioning skills for students with ADHD. No formal diagnosis is necessary for participation. The class is scheduled to run in person on Mondays from 5:30-7:25 pm from September 3rd to October 21st.

OUE 1101-004 will meet in Kolthoff Hall 138, Mondays, 5:30 pm- 7:25 pm CST

Instructor: Stephanie Shively

Note: This course does not count as elective credit for Psychology majors or minors.

Resources

11. Free Student Tickets for The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra

Thanks to generous funding from a small group of individual donors, tickets to regular SPCO concerts are free for students of all ages. The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra is committed to sharing the music we play with the broadest possible audience in our community. We believe music has the power to inspire, challenge, move, and uplift and that everyone, including young people, deserves the opportunity to experience transformational performances. Free tickets for students expand access to the arts, making it easier than ever to experience SPCO concerts. To view the requirements to receive free tickets, click here!

12. Share Your Internship Story

Completing an internship is a great accomplishment and exemplifies the core career competency of Career Management. Other students in CLA can benefit from hearing about your internship success story! If you are interested in sharing your internship experience, please fill out this form!

13. National Student Exchange - Availability for Fall 2024 and Spring 2025

National Student Exchange (NSE) is a consortium of U.S. and Canadian colleges and universities, including the University of Minnesota. Students who attend a school within the NSE consortium can go on exchange to any other member school. That means students can go on exchange for a semester, summer, or year to schools all over the United States (including Hawaii and Puerto Rico), as well as Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Canada! NSE provides academic opportunities and adventure. Imagine the academic choices students have when they can access courses from 190 schools! Think of the adventure, the diversity students can find among classmates and professors in new regions and the cultural and geographical differences they can explore. NSE offers a unique chance to enhance and expand their personal and academic horizons. Questions about NSE can be directed to David Holliday at holli107@umn.edu.

14. Take the Undergrad SERU Survey

Tell us about your experience at the U of M and help create a better campus for all students. The survey will remain open until June; you can always return to the survey where you left off to complete it at a later time. Take the 2024 SERU Survey to get discounts and a chance to win prizes. See the SERU survey results and learn about how various units/programs, colleges, and administrators are using results for change.

15. It's Fulbright Time - Application Open!

The Fulbright US Student Program has opened its application for the 2025-26 academic year. Rising seniors, recent graduates, and graduate students are invited to apply for awards that support independent research, graduate study, and English language instruction in countries around the world. Recent University of Minnesota students have received Fulbright Awards to study for graduate degrees in coastal ecosystems in Galway, Ireland, cultural studies in Istanbul, psychology in the Netherlands, and plant science in East Anglia, England. Students require an interview with a campus committee and an institutional assessment to complete their applications. Undergraduates and alumni interested in applying in the current cycle should contact ONIS at natschol@umn.edu to make arrangements. Graduate students should contact the Graduate College Fellowships Office at gradfellow@umn.edu. Both offices will be holding information sessions and workshops over the next months to help students prepare competitive applications. The campus deadline for submitting applications is August 28. Campus interviews will be conducted in September and final applications must be submitted by October 8. Visit the Office of Undergraduate Education for more information about the program.

Graduate School

16. PhD in Behavioral and Community Sciences

The PhD in Behavioral & Community Sciences is an interdisciplinary program that prepares students to conduct research to enhance the quality of life and productivity of individuals with social, emotional, academic, and behavioral challenges (e.g., mental illness, substance use disorders, co-occurring disorders, developmental delays and disabilities, and behavior disorders) and socio-cultural challenges (e.g., poverty, disparities, homelessness). Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications early to ensure full consideration for scholarships and other funding opportunities that may have deadlines earlier than the final application deadline. The priority deadline for submission of applications for Fall 2024 admission from domestic and international students is December 15th, 2024. Interested individuals must apply directly to the University of South Florida Graduate School Admissions Office using the Online Graduate Application. For further information, contact Dr. Howard Goldstein at hgoldstein@usf.edu or 813-974-9613, or Allie Montoya at montoya1@usf.edu or 913-974-1990.

Research

To register for PSY 4993 or 5993 credit, please view the registration requirements on the Psychology Undergraduate Advising Website.

17. *Credit* Research Experience Opportunity – Child Wellbeing Lab

The Child Wellbeing Lab is researching the social and structural determinants of health and health inequities. Research assistants may be asked to enter data from publicly accessible sources on the internet (e.g., Centers for Disease Control) or conduct their small-scale projects to elucidate upstream determinants of health and health inequities. Students can register for CPSY 4994 credit, as long as they can attend the weekly Zoom meetings of the research group. Meeting times are 11:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm on Mondays, and students can attend whichever one fits their schedule. To apply for a position, please fill out the RA application form here and send it to Dr. Canan Karatekin at karat004@umn.edu.

18. *Credit or Volunteer* Join the Culture and Family Life Lab & The CARPE DIEM Study

The Culture and Family Life Lab at the Institute of Child Development in collaboration with two other labs the Early Language and Experience Lab, and the Child Behavior and Perception Lab is working on an exciting research study called the CARPE DIEM Study. This study is actively seeking several new research assistants (RAs) who will meet with families on weekday afternoons/evenings and weekends during the Summer and/or Fall semesters. RAs will have the opportunity to register for CPSY 4994 credit. RAs will primarily assist with conducting pre-test and post-test assessments of families over Zoom and in ICD testing rooms (Fall). These assessments involve explaining consent forms, facilitating a mother-child storybook reading task, assisting children in completing a set of tasks/games, and guiding mothers to an online questionnaire. To apply, please complete the online RA application on Professor Ferguson’s Culture and Family Life Lab website. In the application, select CARPE DIEM as the project of interest. We are interviewing applicants now so we encourage you to submit your application for priority consideration! If you have questions please contact, Salma Ibrahim at ibrah247@umn.edu.

19. *Credit or Volunteer* Research Experience Opportunity - VA Medical Center

Dr. Nicholas Davenport is looking for volunteer research assistants for the Summer and Fall of 2024 to work at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. Volunteers will have the chance to assist with projects investigating the long-term neurologic effects and treatment outcomes related to traumatic brain injury and stress disorders in military service members. Research combines clinical assessments with biological techniques, including electroencephalography (EEG), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and genetic analysis. Responsibilities are specific to assisting with participant prescreening, recruitment, scheduling, material preparation, and data entry. This opportunity is eligible for PSY 4993 credit. We require a commitment of 10 hours per week and preference will be given to applicants who are available for multiple semesters. Successful candidates typically have a 3.5 GPA or higher, have junior or senior-level credits, and may have an interest in pursuing a higher degree in psychology or related fields. If you are interested, please send a copy of your cover letter, CV/resume, and unofficial transcripts to Helena Skadberg at skadb011@umn.edu.

20. *Credit or Volunteer* Research Opportunity - Mastodon PCR3 Lab

This summer ICD's Mastodon/PCR3 Lab will be working on the preparation of a systematic review paper entitled: The effects of prevention and intervention on trauma, acculturation, and psychological stress in immigrant/refugee children and adolescents: A global approach. The aims are to identify, as well as investigate the effectiveness of prevention and intervention programs on mental health and physiological stress markers in the context of trauma, culture, and acculturation among immigrant/refugee children and youth. Responsibilities include: 1) Screen studies: Assist in screening the titles and abstracts of articles identified through the literature search to determine their relevance to the research question and inclusion criteria. 2) Full-text screening: Assist with extracting relevant data from included studies, such as study characteristics, participant demographics, intervention details, outcome measures, and effect sizes. 3) Quality Assessment: Assist in assessing the quality of included studies using appropriate tools or checklists, such as the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. 4) Data synthesis: Assist in synthesizing the findings of included studies through narrative synthesis or quantitative methods. We will be offering 2-3 4994 credits for the summer if interested. Bilingual in Spanish/English is strongly encouraged. Please send a CV/Resume and a short description of yourself to Jasmine Banegas at baneg029@umn.edu.

21. The Bio-LEAP Research Opportunity for UMTC College of Liberal Arts (CLA) Transfer Students

The Bio-LEAP (Biomedical Life Science Enrichment for Academic Progress) program is part of a larger University of Minnesota initiative called the Life Sciences Summer Undergraduate Research Program (LSSURP). This program offers high-quality, mentored independent research experiences for undergraduate students from across the US and Puerto Rico who are contemplating future careers in biomedical research, and who are considering pursuing advanced degrees such as Ph.D., M.D., D.D.S., combined degrees such as M.D./Ph.D., etc. Students admitted to LSSURP-affiliated programs are matched with UMN faculty mentors who supervise them as they pursue a full-time 10-week duration research project in their lab. In addition to gaining invaluable research experience conducting cutting-edge research projects, participants are exposed to a combination of optional and mandatory training/enrichment/social events designed to help them build confidence, network with members of the UMN research community, and gain valuable experience that will help them prepare to pursue their medium and long-term educational and professional objectives. Eligibility includes being a transfer student to CLA - fall 2023, spring 2024 or admitted fall 2024, having completed Chem 1061 & Chem 1065 or transfer course equivalent, being a US Citizen or Permanent Resident, and a student from an underrepresented population in bio-medical research as defined by the National Institutes of Health. Interested students should apply by the priority deadline of Friday, April 26th. Candidates who submit a completed application will be contacted to arrange an on-campus or Zoom interview.

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.

22. Volunteer Data Analyst - Anker Lab

The Anker Lab at the University of Minnesota's Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Sciences is seeking a motivated and skilled Volunteer Data Analyst to join our research team. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to research examining the links between smoking, recovery from alcohol use disorder, and stress utilizing psychophysiological data such as heart rate, skin conductance, eye blink, and EEG. This role is ideal for individuals looking to gain experience in data analysis within a clinical research context, with opportunities for authorship on publications and involvement in future grant proposals. For more information, please visit the job description here.

23. Become a DiscoverU Mentor

Are you a young adult who values health and wants to give back to the next generation? Consider becoming a DiscoverU mentor! DiscoverU is an afterschool mentoring program for middle school students that focuses on physical activity and social connection to improve youth mental health. We ask mentors to commit to mentoring for a minimum of one semester. We expect mentors to do DiscoverU for at least 5 hours/week. 3 of these hours are spent mentoring adolescents after school at a local middle school. The remaining 2 hours are spent honing mentoring skills and working on your health so that you can be the best mentor possible. Mentors will earn $15/hour and must be available one day every week from 2:30- 5:30 pm and on Fridays from 3-4 pm. To express interest in becoming a DiscoverU Mentor, please fill out this interest form. Email Katie Hendel with any questions at karlingh@umn.edu.

24. Student Positions in the School of Public Health!

The University of Minnesota School of Public Health is looking to hire undergraduate students to work in the SPH Student Services office. The Student Assistant supports SPH Student Services by professionally communicating with prospective, enrolled, and continuing education students and SPH staff and faculty via email, chat, and telephone, and completing other duties as assigned. SPH Student Services is currently open, so the Student Assistant will be expected to work at the front desk of SPH Student Services located in the Mayo Building. The Student Assistant will also be responsible for greeting and assisting guests of the office and maintaining office organization and cleanliness. Applications will only be accepted through the University of Minnesota Job Application System (enter in Job ID 360734). Interested applicants must submit a resume and a cover letter. Applications will not be considered without both a resume and a cover letter.

25. Volunteer as a Welcome Week Assistant!

Orientation & Transition Experiences is responsible for planning and implementing the University’s Orientation, Welcome Week, and Student Transition programs, which are an integral part of the college experience. Welcome Week focuses on providing a quality transitional experience for new students and helps new students prepare for their life at the U of M through planning, exploring campus, building community, and participating in campus traditions. Welcome Week Assistants are a team of volunteers who help to create a welcoming and inclusive environment during Welcome Week. ALL UNDERGRADUATES are encouraged to apply. This is a great opportunity to give back to the University of Minnesota Community. We will provide you with all the necessary training to help you lead new students. You must be available for a minimum of 2 volunteer shifts (3-5 hours) between August 26-30 to fulfill the requirements of this role. You may volunteer up to 40 or more hours for those interested in doing more! You will tell us if/when you are available during the application and training process, so you are matched with volunteer shifts that fit your schedule. To apply for this position go to the OTE website and complete an application. The deadline to apply is rolling, but you must commit by July 15, 2024. Applicants will be notified about being accepted into the program on a rolling basis. Email oteinfo@umn.edu for more information about the WWA role.

26. Office Assistant

The Office Assistant is responsible for the smooth and efficient operation of a forensic psychology practice. This is an ideal job for a student interested in learning more about the field! Duties include scheduling, scoring tests, managing records and records requests, and helping to organize online and live continuing education events. Some flexibility with hours. Efficiency and good computer skills are important. Applicant should be detail-oriented, with the ability to multi-task, organize, and prioritize work. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite is preferred. Experience with Electronic Health Records (EHR) or law is preferred. This position is part-time (20 hours per week); there is some flexibility with the schedule. If you are interested in the position, please email your resume to office@acumenpsychology.com.

27. Undergraduate Research Assistant

We are looking for a motivated undergraduate to join the research team of Professors Beth Campbell and Nitya Chawla, and PhD Candidate Chris Winchester as a Research Assistant. If interested, please review the details of the job below. The research assistant’s responsibilities might include: Searching, reviewing, and analyzing existing literature; cataloging and organizing literature; analyzing interview themes/qualitative data coding; managing and processing quantitative data (e.g., surveys); supporting survey design, development, and (online) administration; running of lab experiments with research participants; analyzing interview themes/qualitative data coding; project management of team simulations; and occasional research tasks as needed. The job will be approximately 5-10 hours per week. Pay rate, length of role, and exact time commitment to be negotiated, estimating $15/hour (may vary based on experience). If you are interested, please complete this application which notes full job responsibilities and requirements. Questions about this position can be directed to Chris Winchester at winch092@umn.edu.