Overview

The UGA Infant Attention Laboratory studies the development of attention and cognition in young human infants. We study physiological (i.e., heart rate and respiration) and behavioral (i.e., reaction time and novelty preference) measures of attention and learning in infants during the first year of life. We are interested in individual and developmental differences between infants in these measures, and what relationship infant attention measures may have with outcomes later in infancy or childhood (such as attention span or social interaction). A number of studies may be underway at any given time examining some of these topics. See some of Dr. Frick's research publications on these topics.

Student's Responsibilities

The primary objective of this course is to provide laboratory research experience for undergraduates. Thus, your primary responsibilities will include all phases of conducting research studies in infant development. Your specific lab responsibilities will change, depending on the current status of the lab, and of the study we are running. However, at various points, your responsibilities will include recruiting subjects (through newspaper birth records), looking up phone numbers in the phone book, maintaining the subject database on the computer, stuffing envelopes and mailing letters, contacting parents on the phone, scheduling appointments, and general upkeep of the lab. You will also be trained to assist in data collection (which may involve playing with siblings of the infant while testing is underway), coding of videotapes, entering and checking data for analysis, and conducting library research. You will be expected to attend lab meetings in which the research projects are discussed, and to read some of the relevant research literature.

A secondary objective of the course is to familiarize students with professional issues relevant to psychology majors. In addition to discussing current research projects, lab meetings will include topics such as professional development, graduate school, ethical issues in research with children, critiquing research, and theoretical issues in developmental psychology.

What is expected of students

For each credit hour in which you are enrolled, you are expected to devote 2-3 hours per week. Thus, for 3 credit hours, you will be expected to devote 6-9 hours per week. I hold this expectation strictly, and students who do not meet this expectation may be dropped completely, or their number of enrolled hours may be reduced. The time commitment includes all meetings, assignments, lab responsibilities, and reading time.

Further, due to the nature of the work we do, it is essential that you have "blocks" of time available. At least half of your hours need to be in one 3- or 4-hour block of time, such as one entire morning or afternoon. An hour or two here and there is not sufficient to be able to contribute to our lab.

You are expected to do the following things:

1. Complete your assigned responsibilities in a timely manner

2. Attend all lab meetings, and read any assigned readings

3. Be punctual. Particularly when we are running subjects, punctuality is ESSENTIAL

4. Dress appropriately when we are running subjects

5. Show courtesy and professional demeanor when interacting with participants
6. Take extreme care of lab equipment and computers
 

Students are selected for this course based on their potential for benefitting from the experience, as revealed on the attached application form. Evaluation will be based on ratings of students' effort, initiative, and dependability.

What will you gain from this?

PSYC 4800 provides an excellent opportunity for students. You will gain the following things:

1. Direct research experience, which is critical for acceptance into any type of graduate school

2. A knowledgeable letter of reference or recommendation from Dr. Frick, in which I will be able to speak to your research experience and the qualities you demonstrated during this class

3. Opportunity to be named as an author on a conference presentation at a national or international conference (not guaranteed; depends on initiative and contribution)

4. Direct research experience with infants and parents, which will be helpful if you are interested in going further in any field related to developmental psychology

5. Other important skills which can be applied to any job, such as computer skills, telephone skills, and critical thinking skills
 

PLEASE NOTE

**Students must have an entire morning (8-12) or afternoon (1-5) available for working in the lab, in addition to time for other lab meetings. Large blocks of time are needed. Also, students who have taken Developmental Psychology (PSYC 367/ 4220) are preferred.

A limited number of openings are available; please call Dr. Frick (542-6790), stop by her office (room 241) or email her to learn more. Application forms are available on Psychnet, the new website for 4800's.

What is PSYC 4800?

Psychology (PSYC) 4800 is a course for the advanced undergraduate psychology major who wishes to participate in supervised research. The purpose of PSYC 4800 is to give psychology majors the opportunity to learn research by doing it. This means becoming familiar with the relevant research literature, understanding and formulating hypotheses, participating in the design of experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and writing reviews and reports.

Prerequisites for PSYC 4800 are PSYC 2980, 2990, and at least one other course at the 3000 level or above. Students may register for only one PSYC 4800 per semester, for a maximum of 3 (semester) credit hours. Students may apply a maximum of 3 credit hours of PSYC 4800 toward psychology electives. Up to an additional 6 hours of PSYC 4800 may be applied as free electives. Students may not enroll in more than 9 hours total of PSYC 4800.

Email Dr. Frick with any questions.

Page last modified April 3, 2001

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