Close Relationship Processes

"This Directed Research experience is helping me to develop a true understanding of the complex traits of dyads. Overall, my undergraduate degree is enriched because this experience allows me to apply my academic knowledge…”

Supervising Faculty: Dr. Amanda Forest

Contact: Kirby Sigler, kis64@pitt.edu

Area of Research:  Social Psychology: Close relationships

Description of Research:  We are looking for highly organized, motivated, and community-oriented Psychology students to join our Relationship Processes lab. Students should be eager to learn about and participate in the conduct of research on close relationships, and to work collaboratively with other members of our lab.

Students will have the opportunity to learn about social psychology and close relationship processes while gaining hands-on research experience. Some tasks may be independent, while others may be in groups with other students. Training and supervision will be provided.

Current projects in the lab examine how people communicate with others (e.g., how they express their emotions), how they pursue goals together or support each other’s goal pursuits, and how people respond to events and situations that might make them feel that their romantic relationships are at risk. Some of our projects investigate the ways in which people communicate and maintain relationships using social media or other forms of mediated communication.

Duties of Students: Students will be trained and involved in various phases of the research process and will be given substantial responsibility. Tasks vary by semester and may include running participants in lab-based studies, assisting with the development of study materials and procedures, participating in the administration of online studies, coding written, audio-recorded, or video-recorded data, and performing data entry, management, and/or analysis. Students will also be expected to attend and participate actively in lab meetings.

Interested students should be available at least 2 (partial) days per week, and must be available to attend lab meetings held in Sennott Square. Total number of hours of participation per week will be approximately 8 hours for 3 credits. Previous research experience is an asset but is not required. For some positions, preference will be given to students who can commit to 2 terms of Directed Research in the lab.

If you are interested in learning more about our lab, please visit our website: www.pittrelationshipprocesseslab.com

If you would like to apply, please fill out our application form here: https://forms.gle/3jynK9J1iaTWuVku8

Additional Requirements:

  • Able to attend weekly lab meetings in Sennott Square
  • Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • 12 credits of Psychology (including current term)
  • STAT 0200/1000/1100 Statistics
  • PSY 0036 Research Methods Lecture
  • PSY 0037 Research Methods Lab
  • PSY 0105 Introduction to Social Psychology
  • Strong motivation to learn about psychological research and interest in relationships research in particular
  • Dependability, ability to work collaboratively in a group as well as independently

Terms offered: fall and spring

Number of Students: 3