REU Site in Experimental Psychology

This award provides funds to continue a Research Experiences for Undergraduates Site in the Department of Psychology at Pennsylvania State University for another three years. Eight undergraduate psychology majors with an interest in the biological aspects of experimental psychology will be recruited to participate in this program at the completion of their sophomore or junior year. An effort will be made to attract women and minority students using the techniques and contacts which have enabled staff to train over 43 minority Ph.D.s since 1969 and ten minority students in past REU programs. The students selected will work as apprentices with one of eight members of the faculty, all nationally known for their research and all highly experienced at preparing undergraduates who have gone on to graduate school. This faculty has received a major equipment grant from the U.S. Department of Education that has provided facilities for research and training. The program is designed to have the students work full-time for eight weeks in the summer, gradually exposing them to all aspects of psychophysiological research and to selected aspects of perception and cognitive and physiological psychology. Students will design an independent research project during the latter part of the summer and complete it with the help of their Penn State mentor during the following academic year. At the end of the spring semester, they will present their research results at a department colloquium. Every effort will be made to encourage and assist students to gain admission to graduate programs.