Psych Scoop, 1/12/21

January 12th, 2020

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. Which Faculty Would You Like to Get To Know?

We recently piloted called Get to Know Your Faculty to help students connect with a faculty outside a classroom setting in an informal environment. In the past, we’ve featured Dr. Rich Douglass (Counseling), Dr. William Iacono (Clinical), and Dr. Iris Vilares (Cognitive) using the feedback we collected in Fall 2019. Now, we want to hear from YOU about which faculty you would be interested in connecting with. Please fill out this feedback form by January 18th to help us decide which faculty to feature in the upcoming semesters.

2. Drop-Ins Update

For the first two weeks of the semester, we will be holding drop-ins on a consistent basis. Our goal is to try to have them for most of the day (8:30 am- 4:00 pm). There may be some changes day-to-day so be sure to check our website if you are interested in coming for drop-ins. Please keep in mind that drop-in appointments are specifically for quick questions, 5-10 minutes in length.

3. Psychology Engagement Award

Are you participating in an internship here or abroad this spring semester? Or engaging in a learning opportunity that takes you outside of the classroom for a unique experience? The Department of Psychology's Donor Awards for Psychology Undergraduate Engagement are available to support you! The purpose of these awards is to encourage and support psychology majors who engage in learning experiences beyond the University campus and classroom environments (i.e. unpaid internships, volunteer experiences, study abroad containing a psych-related internship or research component, etc.). Up to three awards of $500 will be offered for Spring 2020. The application deadline is February 15th. For details about the awards and application materials, visit our webpage.

Events

4. UMN Days of DATA

Wednesday, January 13th, 2021 - Friday, January 15th, 2021
Cost: Free
Location: Online

Join us for the University of Minnesota Day of Data 2021! This year will feature a series of virtual events aimed at learning and sharing new data skills and connecting with data enthusiasts across the University. This event is open to all students, faculty, staff, and alumni from all University of Minnesota campuses. The event is free of charge to attend. Whether you are new to data or a data expert, you are welcome! Because 2020 has been a year of change and creative problem-solving, this year's event will explore the ways that "data matters" across disciplines, to help participants appreciate the many ways that data are used to tackle pressing local and global issues. RSVP and learn more.

5. DirecTrack to Teaching Program Info Session

Wednesday, January 20th, 2021, 4:00 pm- 5:30 pm CST
Cost: Free
Location: Online

Are you interested in becoming a teacher? DirecTrack to Teaching is an exploratory program for undergraduate students that gives you hands-on experiences in schools and an introduction to school teaching that lets you decide if teaching is the right career for you. RSVP today.

Courses of Interest

6. 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 2021 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. Looking for an internship? Check out this list of potential opportunities!

PSY 3896 is completely online

Instructor: Michael Houlahan

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

7. PSY 4960 - 001: 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 lecture, discussion, data collection, etc. Limited to 45 students.

PSY 4960 - 001 will meet online, Wednesdays from 9:00 am- 11:30 am CST

Instructor: Traci Mann

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

8. PSY 4960 - 002: Positive Psychology - 3 Credits

Students will learn about the history of positive psychology along with its applications to several life domains, including relationships, career development, and personal growth. The course will also cover common critiques and misconceptions about positive psychology. Throughout the semester, students will practice implementing interventions designed to enhance well-being in daily life. The class will be completely online and will consist of a mixture of lecture and student-led discussion. Completion of PSY 3001W (Introduction to Research Methods) is strongly recommended prior to taking this course.

PSY 4960 - 002 will meet online, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30 pm- 3:45 pm CST

Instructor: Richard Douglass

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

9. PSY 4960 - 003: Ethnic and Racial Minority Mental Health - 3 Credits

This is an advanced topics course for undergraduate students interested in research, theory, history, and practice related to the well-being and mental health of ethnic and racial minority populations. There will be a particular focus on culture-specific risk and protective factors associated with well-being and mental health, ethnic and racial disparities in mental health, and culturally responsive approaches to preventing and treating mental health problems. Students will learn how to adopt a scientific, analytic perspective on current issues and debates related to minority mental health. This course will consist of lectures, discussion, and hands-on activities. Prior or concurrent enrollment in PSY 3301, Introduction to Cultural Psychology, is suggested but not required.

PSY 4960 - 003 is online, meets Tuesdays 1:00 pm- 3:00 pm CST

Instructor: Rich Lee

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

10. PSY 5960 - 001: Psychology, Pandemics, and Climate Change - 3 credits

This is an advanced undergrad or graduate class. In this class, we will discuss some of the biggest challenges the world is facing nowadays (Climate change; pandemics) and what Psychology can do to help. We will address underlying reasons why people behave the way they do and discuss ways of constructing environments and incentives such as to promote behavior that addresses the common good. We will also discuss how psychology, climate change, and pandemics influence and are influenced by each other. This class will be interdisciplinary and combine decision-making and game theory with Biology, Economics, and Social and Cognitive Psychology. At the end of the class, students should be able to understand the crucial role of psychology in addressing major world challenges and be equipped with scientifically principled tools to help solve them. This class will consist of lectures (including several guest lectures), discussion, and group work. Completion of PSY 3001W is strongly recommended.

PSY 5960 - 001 is online, meets Fridays from 10:10 am- 12:40 pm CST

Instructor: Iris Vilares

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

11. EPSY 1281: Psychological Science Applied - 4 credits

This course introduces students to applied psychology as a discipline and reviews fundamental principles of psychology through the lenses of applied and professional areas. The course serves as a foundation for future coursework in education, health sciences, and psychology.

EPSY 1281 is online. Lecture meets Mondays and Wednesdays, 9:05 am- 9:55 am CST (lectures are recorded), online lab attendance is required

Instructor: Martin Van Boekel (vanbo024@umn.edu)

Note: this course does not count for Psychology majors or minors.

12. BTHX 5000 - 001: Medical Consumerism - 3 credits

Two related movements have emerged in American health care. The first is an emphasis on medical enhancement, or the use of medical technologies to improve the looks, performance, and psychological well-being of people who are healthy. The second is the submission of the American health care system to the machinery of consumer capitalism. The course takes students on an examination of the current American health care system through texts from philosophy, history, law, literature, and social sciences and grappling with these questions: How is the consumerist model of medicine shaping our concepts of disease and disability? What larger historical developments have led to our current situation? How is the movement towards medical consumerism changing the profession of medicine itself? How are the tools of medical enhancement shaping the way we think about our identities and the way we live our lives?

BTHX 5000-001 is online

Instructor: Carl Elliott, MD, PhD

Note: this course does not count for Psychology majors or minors.

Research

13. *Credit* PSY 5993 Forensic Psychophysiology Seminar with Professor Iacono

In 2003, the National Academy of Sciences published a report reviewing the scientific basis of polygraph examinations and other lie detection techniques. In this seminar, we will examine how the field has evolved since then by reviewing and critiquing the scientific literature published since the NAS report. This seminar focuses on the validity of forensic lie detection, an area of applied psychology that intersects with law and public policy. If you are interested in learning more about this section of PSY 5993, please e-mail a copy of your transcript, a resume, and a paragraph explaining your interest in this topic to Dr. Iacono at wiacono@umn.edu.

14. *Credit or Volunteer* Clinical Research Opportunities related to Autism Spectrum Disorder

Dr. Rebekah Hudock is looking for motivated and dedicated students who would like to gain clinical research experience related to autism spectrum disorder and related neurodevelopmental conditions. We have several ongoing studies related to developing and evaluating evidence-based interventions for adolescents and young adults with autism and their families. Students will participate in tasks including participant recruitment, conducting interviews and questionnaires with families, data collection, data entry, delivery of interventions to families, and other duties as assigned. Preference will be given to students who can commit at least two semesters. If interested, please send your CV/resume, unofficial transcript, and a short introduction to Dr. Hudock at kale0040@umn.edu to be considered.

Learning Abroad

15. National Student Exchange (NSE) Applications Open for 2021/2022!

NOW accepting applications for the National Student Exchange (NSE) during the 21/22 school year! Study at another school in the U.S., Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico, or U.S. Virgin Islands for a summer, semester, or year! The most popular exchange locations for U of M students include Alaska, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Montana, New York, and Puerto Rico. See the 170+ available schools. NSE is affordable! Pay U of M tuition (or IN-STATE TUITION TO YOUR HOST CAMPUS) and most U of M financial aid and scholarships will follow you. Earn credits towards your degree! Fulfill elective credit, Lib Eds, and/or major credit while on exchange. Be sure to talk to your U of M advisor to make NSE fit into your undergraduate degree. Learn more about the application process. Sign up for an NSE Info Session. The priority application deadline for the 2021/2022 school year is February 15, 2021. You may begin your NSE application anytime. Start planning your study away adventure now!

Graduate School

16. Health Services Research, Policy, & Administration info Session

Wednesday, January 20th, 2021, 4:00 pm- 5:30 pm CST
Cost: Free
Location: Online

Have you considered a career in healthcare analytics and research? With technological advancement and expansive adoption of Electronic Health Records (EHR), large quantities of digital data exist and continue to grow in health care systems. Health data analysts are responsible for a full range of data management: collecting, managing, analyzing, interpreting, and communicating data to enhance healthcare systems and population health. The Master of Science Program (MS) in Health Services Research, Policy, & Administration offers students a rigorous curriculum to use analytic focus and research methodology to drive evidence-based health care decisions and improve population health. We admit students with a variety of undergraduate programs and work experiences, including those from sociology, psychology, economics, political science and policy, decision science, health sciences, and other analytic majors. This information session will help you learn about how our MS in HSRP&A program can launch or enhance your career in the in-demand field of healthcare data analytics. RSVP here.

Scholarships & Awards

17. CLA Internship Scholarship

The CLA Internship Scholarship is designed to provide some financial assistance to undergraduate students participating in unpaid internships. The deadline for Spring 2021 is January 24th. Review the requirements and apply today if you have an unpaid internship!

Resources

18. Think like a Researcher Mini-Course - Register Today!

Think like a Researcher is a mini-course designed to help undergraduate students (primarily first or second years) become comfortable with the research skills and tools needed to participate. It is designed to bring students, especially first-year and second-year students, from different colleges together to learn. Workshop topics are benefits and challenges of research, finding faculty mentors, videos with advice from student researchers, examples of student projects, and more. Learn about the wide variety of ways to get started with research including volunteer, taking a course, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP), Undergraduate Research Scholarship (URS), summer research, and more. Learn more about the Office for Undergraduate Research and the University Libraries. Register to be part of Think Like a Research by Sunday, January 31st.

19. Virtual Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) - Purdue University

SROP is a gateway to graduate education at Big Ten Academic Alliance universities. The goal of the program is to increase the number of underrepresented students who pursue graduate study and research careers by helping to prepare undergraduates for graduate study through intensive research experiences with faculty mentors and enrichment activities. Applications must be completed by February 11th, including the transcript upload. Recommendation letters will be accepted until March 1st. Learn more and start your application.

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.

20. Lindahl Academic Center - Psychology Subject Tutor

The Lindahl Academic Center is hiring peer tutors for the Spring Semester 2021 and beyond. These positions are 100% remote (via Zoom) and paid hourly. Schedules are built around your own submitted availability. Tutors will meet with small groups of students on a regularly recurring schedule to review course-specific material in a variety of Psychology Centered Academic Disciplines. Those interested can find more information and apply online. Reach out to Adam Demchak (Tutor Coordinator) at mdemchak@umn.edu with any questions.

21. Direct Care Professional - ACR Homes

ACR Homes is hiring psychology students to become Direct Care Professionals! WE ARE NOW CONDUCTING 30 min FACETIME/SKYPE INTERVIEWS. Gain some experience and apply today (positions starting now, later this semester, or even winter break). You would work in a home setting alongside a co-worker to care for 4 people who have disabilities (amazing 1:2 ratio). You will get the chance to gain direct patient care hours by caring for the medical, emotional, and physical needs of the residents as well as enjoying fun activities with them on your shifts. ACR is VERY flexible for students, pays starting up to $15/hr, offers paid training, and we have locations near campus/all over the twin cities, and you don't even need to have a car. We even offer custom research-based INTERNSHIPS that ends with a letter of recommendation from our CEO who is a licensed psychologist. Contact Kayla Wildes at wilde177@umn.edu if you are interested in applying!

22. Residential Counselor - Children's Residential Treatment Center (CRTC)

Children's Residential Treatment Center (CRTC) is a mental health treatment center located in Minnetonka. If any of you are interested in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, learning de-escalation techniques, and being a positive role model for teens with various mental health diagnoses, apply to be a residential counselor. Our Residential Counselors play a huge part in creating and maintaining a therapeutic environment for our kids. Contact Maija Assef at maija.assef@voamn.org for more information.

23. Academic Consultant- Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence

Academic Consultants assist students in attaining confidence in and mastery of critical subjects in math, science, and other disciplines. Consultants work with students as they develop general and subject-specific skills by meeting students one-with-one or in small groups and working through aspects of course content appropriate to the students’ level of study. This may include giving broad overviews of technical concepts, guiding students through practice problems or examples, and validating students’ successes. Where relevant, it may also involve discussing the landscape of privileging structures in the context of a particular academic discipline, university department, or classroom. Consultants have “office hours” during which students can receive support. Consultants may also facilitate study sessions with small groups of students or conduct classroom visits in coordination with University of Minnesota instructors. Working hours are negotiated between the consultant and the Coordinator of Academic Support and are structured to fit around the consultant’s class and life schedule. Consultants typically work between three and ten hours per week, depending on availability and need. The starting pay is $12.00/hr. The anticipated start date is the beginning of January 2021. Review qualifications, courses needed, and application instructions.

24. Hiring Opportunity for Research Fellowships - Yale Child Study Center

Two fellowships are available from the Yale Autism Center of Excellence and Yale Social and Affective Neuroscience of Autism Program: Yale Fellowship in Developmental Psychopathology and Social Neuroscience and Yale Fellowship in Developmental Neuroscience of Autism. These fellowships are post-baccalaureate opportunities for students. Completed applications including cover page, CV, official transcripts, letters of recommendation, and personal statements are due no later than February 7th.