Faculty Research Labs and Opportunities
To see what research is being conducted in which labs around
the department, browse through the listing below. To go to
a particular lab's homepage, simply click on the appropriate
link.
- Interpersonal Relationships Lab (K.
Kelly)
- Affect Regulation Lab (Hemenover)
- Behavioral Pharmacology Lab (Morgan)
- Coping, Stress, and Trauma Lab
(Hetzel-Riggin)
- Laboratory for the Investigation of
Psychology and Law (LIPL; McClure)
- Applied Behavior Analysis and Human
Sexuality Lab (Lindemann)
- Applied Social Psychology Lab (Lane)
- Western Illinois Center for Neurobiological
Investigation of Drug Abuse (WICNIDA: Dworkin)
- Colin Harbke, Ph.D.
- Matt Blankenship, Ph.D.
- Curt Dunkel, Ph.D.
- Julie Herbstrith, Ph.D.
- Eugene Mathes, Ph.D.
- Hiroko Sotozaki, Ph.D.
- Virginia Diehl, Ph.D.
- Jeff Laurent, Ph.D.
The Interpersonal Relationships Lab is involved in a variety
of research projects that are related to the study of interpersonal
relationships in the following areas:
- Relationship Dynamics: Much of our research has
examined basic psychological processes involved in the formation,
maintenance, and dissolution of personal and social relationships.
Specific areas of focus include social rejection, betrayal,
overinclusion, and mate selection.
- Individual Differences in Relationships: Our research
on individual differences primarily involves an exploration
of the interface between individual difference variables
and the quantity/quality of important social and personal
relationships. Recent projects in this area have focused
on gender differences in relationships, personality traits
and relationships, and self-regulation.
- Assessment of Personality and Relationships: This
line of research is devoted to the development and validation
of psychometrically sound research instruments with which
to measure relevant constructs of personality and relationships.
Some of our recent scales include the Need to Belong Scale,
Love at First Sight Scale, and Future Uncertainty Scale.
Prerequisites: GPA must be at least 3.0,
preferably higher. Especially looking for freshmen, sophomores,
or juniors with graduate school aspirations who are interested
in working with me for two or more semesters. I usually do
not take graduating seniors.
Student tasks: Posting study information
on Sona Systems, entering data, running subjects, submitting
research papers to conferences, applying for research grants,
advanced students may design their own study. Four hours of
research work per week plus weekly lab meetings.
Student skills desired: Professional, collegial,
respectful, keep commitments and obligations, know when to
ask for help, motivated, hard worker, team player, ethical,
fast learner, willing to do whatever it takes to get a job
done.
Active research lab: Yes
Currently looking for students: Yes, graduate
and undergraduate students. Students sign up for 1-2 credits/semester
Lab location/meeting times: Waggoner 052
(basement); lab meeting times change every semester
Contact information: Email KM-Kelly2@wiu.edu;
Phone: (309) 298-2653; application forms on wall outside Dr.
Kelly's office (Waggoner 109). For more information, visit
Dr. Kelly's website.
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The goals of the Affect Regulation Lab are to conduct high-quality
research exploring individual differences in affect regulatory
processes and to facilitate the research education of students
through a hands-on approach wherein which students act as
collaborators through the research process including project
development, data collection/management, data analysis/interpretation,
and presentation of findings.
Prerequisites: None
Student tasks: You will engage in various
research activities including but not limited to: Reading/discussing
journal articles, data collection, data entry and data analysis,
presentation of research findings, library work, and organization
of materials. Research assistants are required
to:
- Devote 5 hours per week to research related activities
- Keep commitments and obligations in conjunction with lab
activities (e.g., readings)
- Attend all weekly lab meetings (TBA)
- Conduct at least 2 protocol runs per week (once data collection
begins)
- Spend 1 hour/week entering data (once data collection
begins)
- Present/discuss research findings during lab meetings
- Students may have the opportunity to submit papers to
psychology conferences, attend conferences, and attend departmental
colloquia and thesis defense meetings.
Student skills desired: Students who behave
in a professional, collegial, and respectful manner when interacting
with others, expecially research participants
Active research lab: Yes
Currently looking for students: Yes, graduate
and undergraduate students.
Lab location/meeting times: Waggoner; Friday
11-12:30
Contact information: Email SH-Hemenover@wiu.edu;
Office: Waggoner 167; Phone: (309) 298-1357
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My lab focuses on the field of behavioral psychopharmacology
with an emphasis ont he effects of drugs and/or environmental
toxins on the development of cognition function (e.g., attention
and memory) in animal models. In recent years we have examined
the long term effects of early exposure to drugs such as Prozac,
cocaine, and Accutane (acne medication) and toxins (such as
lead and pesticides).
Prerequisites: Preferably have taken 223/323
and Physiological Psychology(343), but not mandatory.
Student tasks: Waking the research animals,
feeding and caring for them, attending weekly lab meetings
and required research activities.
Student skills desired: Must be reliable,
able to work independently, and willing to work with other
students.
Active research lab: Yes
Currently looking for students: Yes, graduate
and undergraduate students.
Lab location/meeting times: Basement of
Waggoner; Variable lab meetings.
Contact information: Email RE-Morgan@wiu.edu;
Office: Waggoner 039; Phone: (309) 298-1743
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My primary research interest is the assessment, prevention,
and treatment of interpersonal trauma (IPT), such as domestic
violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. In terms of assessment,
I am interested in the prevalence and incidence of IPT in
specific populations (children, minority groups, etc.), risk
and resiliency factors associated with IPT (coping styles,
personality variables, social support, etc.), resulting psychopathology
(posttraumatic stress, depression, eating disorders, etc.),
and changes in behavior, cognition, physiology, and interpersonal
relationships as a result of IPT. My focus with regards to
prevention includes the effectiveness of primary prevention
of IPT on campus and in the community and secondary prevention
for individuals at risk for IPT. An overarching goal of my
research is to identify factors that may interfere with therapy
for IPT survivors and to find or develop adjuncts to treatments
to overcome these factors. I also have developed a secondary
research interest in body image, body-esteem, and eating disorders.
Prerequisites: 9 hours of psychology courses
and a written contract. Completion of/current enrollment in
PSY 223.
Student tasks: Tasks may include but are
not limited to organization of research materials, scheduling
and running experiments, data collection, data entry, data
analysis, and other research-related experiences. Advanced
students may act as a co-principal investigator with the faculty
supervisor or a graduate student to help research, design,
implement, analyze, and write up findings for a project. All
students are required to attend weekly lab meetings and be
involved in research activities for at least four hours of
lab activities per week.
Student skills desired: Professional, ethical,
able to keep time commitments, curious and empathetic, can
work as part of team, active participation
Active research lab: Yes
Currently looking for students: Yes, graduate
and undergraduate students.
Lab location/meeting times: Waggoner 140;
Wednesdays 3-4pm
Contact information: Email MD-Hetzel@wiu.edu;
Phone: (309) 298-2604; application forms on wall outside Dr.
Hetzel-Riggin's office (Waggoner 131F). For more information,
visit Dr. Hetzel-Riggin's website.
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Laboratory for the Investigation of
Psychology and Law
Kim
McClure, Ph.D.
We take a social-cognitive approach to understanding eyewitness
memory. Current research involves perceptions of eyewitness
confidence and how it influences the course of a criminal
investigation and eyewitness voice and face recognition evidence.
Presentations from the last two years have focused on exploring
belief in a just world as a cultural world view; eyewitness
confidence influences participant-detectives’ perceptions
of accuracy; expression, skin tone and perceiver motivation
in recognizing other-race faces; and in-group homogeneity
and out-group heterogeneity: The effects of skin tone on other-
and own-race faces.
Prerequisites: 3.0 GPA or better (Students
with lower GPAs are considered if major GPA meets minimum).
Student tasks: Participation in weekly lab
meetings that may involve
- Data collection, entry, and transformations in SPSS
- Creation of graphs and tables in Excel and Word
- Creation of stimulus materials with Photoshop
- Designing and implementing independent research/readings
Student skills desired: Students should
have some basic experience with:
- Computer skills involving the use of SPSS, Word, Excel,
E-prime and Photoshop (not essential, but will be exposed
to it) software
- Critical thinking and integration of current literature
on eyewitness confidence and facial recognition.
- Statistical analysis and scientific report writing.
- Interpersonal skills relevant to working cooperatively
with groups
Active research lab: Yes
Currently looking for students: Yes, I have
2 openings for graduate students and 3 openings for undergraduates.
I am open to taking students in their freshman year on a trial
basis. Second semester sophomores are preferable. I am least
likely to take seniors unless they have excellent academic
credentials and a specific goal to accomplish.
Lab location/meeting times: Waggoner 168;
Thursdays 9-10 am (variable from semester to semester –
we attempt to be flexible to work within the schedules of
most of the students)
Contact information: Email KA-McClure@wiu.edu;
Office: Waggoner 160; Phone: (309) 298-1259. Meet with Dr.
McClure during office hours (Fall 2009 – Monday and
Wednesday 1:00 to 3:00 pm (or by appointment). Application
materials include a personal essay describing your reasons
to join LIPL, an informal transcript, and an undergraduate
contract.
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Applied Behavior Analysis and Human
Sexuality Lab
Dana
Lindemann, Ph.D.
Students in the Applied Behavior Analysis and Human Sexuality
lab conduct research related to those topics, fairly broadly
defined. Students are currently working on studies that assess
body image and the media, condom use among LGBT students,
sexual behavior among college students, aggressive behaviors
related to sports, attitudes toward sexual content in the
media, and the efficacy of condom advertisements.
Prerequisites: Contact and meet with Dr.
Lindemann to discuss interests, goals, and to determine if
this is a good lab for the student.
Student tasks: Students in the lab work
on their own student research project (by themselves or with
one other lab student), and also contribute to “lab
projects.” These projects are ones in which Dr. Lindemann
is the primary investigator, and everyone in the lab assists
with. Lab projects typically involve evaluating factors related
to condom use. Students in the lab work as a team, and everyone
learns how to and contributes to data collection, proofing
data, and data entry. Projects lead to presentation at local,
regional, and/or national conferences (and possibly publication).
The lab students are a very cohesive group who generally enjoy
helping each other.
Student skills desired: Students who are
motivated to expand their research skills and are interested
in working among a productive, cohesive group of students.
Active research lab: Yes
Currently looking for students: Yes - I
typically accept up to 7 students in the lab each semester.
Students are required to take at least 1 credit research or
readings hours; however 2 to 3 credits is typical. A one-year
commitment is desired (though not required), and weekly lab
meetings are required.
Lab location/meeting times: Waggoner 143
and 144; Typically meetings are Thursday afternoons.
Contact information: Email DF-Lindemann@wiu.edu;
Office: 166 Waggoner Hall; Phone: (309) 298-1651
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The research in this lab applies social psychological concepts
to understanding real-world problems, especially in the areas
of physical health and college student’s academic performance.
We are especially interested in understanding health behaviors
that can be risky for students’ health. Past studies
have looked at what predicts alcohol use (such as getting
drunk or playing drinking games), whether online alcohol prevention
trainings work, and how social influence affects reckless
driving. A second area of research looks at what predicts
whether freshmen stay enrolled at WIU. We have studied the
role played by various psychological concepts such as sense
of community, personality traits, and perceived similarity
with other students. The goal is to determine who is at-risk
for leaving college.
Prerequisites: No specific prerequisites,
although GPAs above 3.0 are recommended. Need to complete
application and have interview with Dr. Lane.
Student tasks: Serving as experimenters
(face-to-face contact with participants); assisting in creation
of study materials; data entry. Students must also attend
weekly 50 minute lab meeting.
Student skills desired: Students will be
trained in research skills, so past experiences are not as
important as (a) high degree of responsibility/ reliability,
(b) ability to interact with participants in a friendly yet
professional manner, (c) enthusiasm for learning more about
psychology.
Active research lab: Yes
Currently looking for students: Yes
Lab location/meeting times: Waggoner 052;
Meeting times are variable - Fall 2009: Thursdays 11:00-11:50am.
Contact information: Email DJ-Lane@wiu.edu;
Office: Waggoner 155; Phone: (309) 298-1595
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Western Illinois Center for Neurobiological
Investigation of Drug Abuse (WICNIDA)
Steven
I. Dworkin
The WICNIDA provides “state of the art” training
in research methodology used to evaluate the behavioral, pharmacology
and neurobiology of drug abuse. A number of different behavioral
procedures are available to examine critical behavioral and
pharmacologic factors that are involved in substance abuse
and/or the vulnerability to become dependent on abused drugs.
Additional procedures and equipment are available to provide
preclinical assessments of novel behavioral and pharmacologic
treatments for substance abuse disorders.
Prerequisites: Preferably have taken 223/323,
PSY 334-336 and Physiological Psychology(343), but not mandatory.
Student tasks: Conducting experimental procedures
with rodents, feeding and caring for subjects, attending weekly
lab meetings, Training in the Care and Use of Animals in research.
Student skills desired: Must be reliable,
able to work independently, and willing to work with other
students.
Active research lab: Yes
Currently looking for students: Yes, graduate
and undergraduate students.
Lab location/meeting times: Basement of
Waggoner; Variable lab meetings.
Contact information: Email SI-Dworkin@wiu.edu;
Office: Waggoner 100A; Phone: (309) 298-1593
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I have extremely broad interests in psychology, which I often
try to adapt or expand to assist students with their own projects.
I have supervised projects on attractiveness and alcohol use,
memory for repeated stimuli (e.g., semantic satiation), after
effects and perceptual illusions, electrophysiological responses
(e.g., brain waves) to various sounds, and many other topics.
Either for my own research or consulting with others I have
worked on a research from a variety of topics, ranging from
investigations of the impact of sex hormones on tolerance
to pain in rats to sexism and the impacts of gender discrimination
on women’s health. If you want help turning a research
idea into a project, please contact me. If I am aware of another
faculty member who may have more expertise for your project,
I will suggest you contact them as well.
Prerequisites: Must have an interest in
research and time to dedicate toward individual research or
helping other with their research (5 to 6 hours a week). Must
plan on being at WIU for three (3) or more semesters.
Student tasks: Varies depending on research
project. Opportunities to be involved with all aspects of
a project, from design to description of results, are typical.
Student skills desired: Experience with
computers is desired for most, but not all, projects.
Active research lab: Yes
Currently looking for students: Yes, undergraduate
and graduate students are welcome.
Lab location/meeting times: Variable meeting
times.
Contact information: Email CR-Harbke@wiu.edu;
Office: Waggoner 106; Phone: (309) 298-1206
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Areas of research include neuroscience; physiological and
behavioral factors related to memory, learning and emotion.
Primary focus is on Alzheimer's disease.
Prerequisites: None
Student tasks: Collecting data and running
rats in mazes; processing tissue samples, surgical implants.
Student skills desired: Students who are
eager and interested. Interested in graduate school, medical
school, veterinary school makes our lab a good stepping stone.
Active research lab: Yes
Currently looking for students: Not currently
- graduate students may need assistance in the spring.
Lab location/meeting times: Basement of
Waggoner; Variable lab meetings.
Contact information: Email MR-Blankenship@wiu.edu;
Office: 108 Waggoner Hall; Phone: (309) 298-1290.
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Areas of research include identity, evoluntionary psychology,
possible selves, and the sacred and profane
Prerequisites: GPA of 3.0 or higher
Student tasks: Reading background information
in area of research, posting information on Sona Systems,
entering data, library research. My goal is to have students
produce and publish research.
Student skills desired: Reliable, ability
to work independently, work with graduate students and participants.
Active research lab: No
Currently looking for students: Yes, graduate
and undergraduate.
Lab location/meeting times: Waggoner 158
Contact information: Email C-Dunkel@wiu.edu;
Office: Waggoner 158; Phone: (309) 298-1078.
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The focus of my research is in the area of prejudice and
variables that may moderate (1) having negative attitudes
about particular outgroups and (2) expressing or suppressing
these attitudes.
My previous research projects have involved exploring ideas
such as the following:
- how social norms may regulate prejudice
- factors related to the motivation to control prejudiced
reactions
- sex differences in prejudice toward gay men and lesbians
- prejudice toward gay men and lesbians who have children
- how individual differences (such as Big 5 factors) affect
prejudice expression
Previous studies I have conducted have involved collecting
data using questionnaire, behavioroid, and behavioral measures.
Prerequisites: GPA of preferably 3.5 +
Student tasks: I plan to schedule regular
weekly lab hours for research assistants that may include
library research, preparing stimulus materials to be used
in research, data collection, and data entry.
Student skills desired: Ideally, research
assistants will be highly reliable, able to work independently
and with others, and conscientious in their work. Good problem-solving
skills are a plus, as is the ability to work with research
participants.
Active research lab: In development
Currently looking for students: Yes, I’m
planning to recruit a graduate assistant and a few undergraduate
assistants willing to start in the spring semester and continue
through Spring 2011 (or longer)
Lab location/meeting times: Variable; Lab
meeting depends on class schedules. Student researchers will
maintain their own set lab hours and there will be a 1-hour
weekly meeting that everyone attends.
Contact information: Email JC-Herbstrith@wiu.edu;
Office: Waggoner 131G; Phone: (309) 298-1040
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I have a life history project involving geneological research
ready to go.
Prerequisites: None
Student tasks: Entering data
Student skills desired: Reliable and dependable
Active research lab: No
Currently looking for students: Yes, 1-2
undergraduates
Lab location/meeting times: Variable
Contact information: Email EW-Mathes@wiu.edu;
Office: Waggoner 117; Phone (309) 298-1547
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My main research interest lies in the area of language, reading,
and brain laterality; particularly I am interested in dyslexia
and other LD.
The main focus of the lab is two folds: (1) brain and reading
and (2) brain laterality. Last year we completed one study
investigating whether poor readers use different strategies
from good readers when a reading task becomes difficult. I
presented this study to the International Neuropsychology
Society in February 2009 with a WIU student. The manuscript
of the study was submitted to a peer reviewed journal this
past summer. I offered the third authorship to the WIU student.
I also presented my interview study about dyslexia to the
International Hawaii Conference on Education in Jan. 2009.
So my interest is not limited in just cognitive and brain
areas, but also I am interested in applications of research,
e.g., Early prevention of reading and math problems.
I am currently working on one project to investigate the
universal characteristics of dyslexia across languages. I
completed the data collection in Japan (July 2009), and I
am currently analyzing the data with my graduate research
assistant. I am also planning on setting up a computerized
experiment to investigate alexitimia (an inability of connecting
emotional words and emotion) in relation to brain laterality.
Prerequisites: PSY100, motivated and hard
workers
Student tasks: The general responsibilities
of my student lab assistants are to do library research, coming
to the meeting regularly, discussing topics, participating
in running participants, entering data and contributing to
a project
Student skills desired: Reliable and motivated
to work. I would like to guide students on a step-by-step
basis, so that students can gradually learn many things without
feeling of anxiety or pressure.
Active research lab: Yes
Currently looking for students: Yes, I am
looking for both graduate and undergraduate students. In the
fall 2009 and spring 2010 semesters, students will mainly
focus on reading on a certain topic. However, in the spring
semester 2010 we will set up a computerized cognitive experiment.
Lab location/meeting times: Waggoner 152;
At this moment we meet three times a week; MWF between 11:15AM-12:00PM.
Contact information: Email H-Sotozaki@wiu.edu;
Office: Waggoner 107; Phone: (309) 298-1593
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I am interested in working with students who are interested
in cognitive psychology. If you want to find out more about
working with me, please stop by or send me an email telling
me about yourself and your research interests and your motivations
for wanting to get involved in research.
Prerequisites: None
Student tasks: Variable
Student skills desired: Reliable and dependable
Active research lab: Yes
Currently looking for students: Yes, graduate
and undergraduate students.
Lab location/meeting times: Waggoner; variable
Contact information: Email V-Diehl@wiu.edu;
Office: Waggoner 133; Phone (309) 298-2652
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Interested in research about Children and Emotions? Need
a few credit hours? Consider enrolling in PSY 463. Dr. Laurent
is looking for 2 to 3 undergraduates who are interested in
gaining knowledge abd research experience related to children
and emotions. Students who enroll in PSY 463 will: 1) discuss
articles related to the topics of youth anxiety, depression,
and coping; 2) discuss issues related to conducting research
in school settings; 3) have the opportunity to collect data
with students in grades 5-8 who are attending schools that
are a part of the Black Hawk Area Specual Education District;
and 4) Enter and anlayze data for a study related to a new
measure of negative mood regulation in youth.
Prerequisites: None
Student tasks: Read articles, collect data
from school settings, enter and analyze data, attend a one-hour
weekly meeting and complete tasks outside of this meeting.
Student skills desired: Reliable and dependable
Active research lab: Yes
Currently looking for students: Yes, 2-3
undergraduate students.
Lab location/meeting times: Waggoner; variable
Contact information: Email JL-Laurent@wiu.edu;
Office: Waggoner 131I; Phone (309) 298-3162
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