Supervising Faculty: Sophia Choukas-Bradley, Ph.D.
Contact: Emily Gotkiewicz (TAYA Lab Manager), EMG196@pitt.edu
To Apply: During semesters when we are accepting applications, we post a Google form with application instructions and information about available positions. However, we are not accepting applications for Spring 2024. Please email the TAYA Lab Manager Emily Gotkiewicz EMG196@pitt.edu with any questions.
Area of Research: Clinical Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Social Psychology
Description of Research: The Teen and Young Adult (TAYA) Lab is focused on understanding interpersonal and sociocultural influences on adolescent and young adult mental health. Our lab’s research combines theories, methods, and research questions from the Developmental, Clinical, and Social Psychology fields. Current areas of focus in the TAYA Lab as of Fall 2022 include social media use, body image, sexual behavior, depressive symptoms, disordered eating, the objectification of girls and women, and understanding the experiences of LGBTQ+ adolescents and Black young women. Much more information about the lab is available here: https://www.sophiachoukasbradley.com.
Duties of Students: Students will attend lab meetings and complete scheduled “lab hours” in our Sennott Square lab space. This includes completing assigned research tasks such as: collecting, entering, and managing data; completing readings and participating actively in lab meetings; and completing various lab-related administrative tasks. We will discuss and provide education about the broad range of methods we use in the lab, including qualitative interviewing, longitudinal online survey-based studies, intervention development, and eye-tracking methodology. Undergraduate students will work closely with the lab manager, graduate students, and other undergraduate students, and will also interact with Dr. Choukas-Bradley through regular lab meetings and through roughly-monthly individual meetings.
Requirements:
- 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
Additional Requirements: We require a formal application process. We conduct a holistic review of applications based on academic record, prior relevant experience, a personal statement, writing sample and (at a later stage in the application process) interviews and discussions with professional references. We do not have a minimum GPA requirement. Directed Research students are required to have completed all departmental requirements for directed research, but Volunteers do not necessarily need to meet all requirements. Child abuse clearances and research trainings are required before work may begin.
Additional Information: For more information, please refer to Dr. Choukas-Bradley’s website, where you can learn about the research projects, research team, publications and media coverage (https://www.sophiachoukasbradley.com/).
Terms Offered: Fall, Spring
Number of Students: Approximately 3-5