For undergraduate students, working in my laboratory is excellent preparation for graduate school. The tasks that students are assigned vary depending upon their interests and availability. All research assistants assist with data collection. In the animal laboratory this involves setting up the computers, moving the animals in and out of the experimental apparatus, and recording the results. In the human laboratory, this involves setting up the computers, explaining the procedure to the participants, and answering their questions. Other typical responsibilities include analyzing the data with Microsoft Excel and SPSS, and caring for the animal subjects (they are weighed and fed daily). Some students have also assisted with programming the computers, conducting literature reviews, constructing figures and tables, presenting the results at scientific conferences, and helping to author publications. The greater the commitment that students make to the research, the more likely they are to acquire advanced skills.

Data are collected Monday-Friday from 8am until 3pm, and sometimes as late as 5pm. This means that I am able to find work for most interested students. Students can earn course credit as research assistants by enrolling in Psych 294, 492, or 494. It is possible to enroll for between 1 and 4 research course credits per semester. For each course credit, students are required to work 3 hours in the lab per week. Interested students must first consult me before enrolling. Students with a special interest in behavior analysis are also advised to consider the psychology department's behavior-analytic research track