5/20/14

The inside scoop on staying engaged and up-to-date with the Psychology major!

The psychology undergraduate newsletter provides a weekly update on the latest course information, upcoming events, and currently available job, internship, and research opportunities relating to your major! Find past issues here. If you would like to start receiving the Psych Scoop directly to your inbox, send a request to: psyadvis@umn.edu.
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IN THIS ISSUE:
PSYCHOLOGY ADVISING
--1.Psychology Advising Availability for Summer 2014
--2.Psych Scoop Summer
RESEARCH
--3.CPSY Research Assistant Positions Available!
COURSES
--5.PSY May Term Psy 3960: Cognitive Enhancement and 'Smart Pills'
JOB/INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
--5.Volunteer Position Available with Forensic Services
--6.Internship Opportunity at Autism Treatment Center
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PSYCHOLOGY ADVISING
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1.Psychology Advising Availability for Summer 2014
Psychology Undergraduate Advising began our summer availability this Monday, May 19th. We do not hold drop-in hours during summer session, as advisor availability fluctuates. However, we are available to meet with students through appointments. If you would like to meet with an advisor, please submit an Appointment Request Form. Our office remains open during our usual operating hours, though availability of front desk assistance varies during this time as well. We will still be checking and responding to emails frequently, so feel free to contact us with your questions at psyadvis@umn.edu. If you would like to have a research contract signed, please email us ahead of time to let us know when you would like to stop by so we can be sure that there is an advisor available to go over your contract.
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2.Psych Scoop Summer
During the summer months, the Psych Scoop will only be sent out every-other Tuesday. The information will still be relevant and informative, so be sure to stay up-to-date with the information and opportunities!
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RESEARCH
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3.CPSY Research Assistant Positions Available!
The Carlson Child Development Lab offers undergraduate students the opportunity to gain valuable research experience and earn college credits while working with preschool and school-aged children in a laboratory setting. Current research topics include self-control, perspective-taking and pretend play. Our undergraduates are an integral part of our lab, and participate in all levels of our research. From offering suggestions for developing protocols to running sessions with children and families, research assistants are afforded every opportunity to pursue their own interests and apply their own skills within our lab. As a Carlson Lab RA, you will interact with some of the leading scientists in the field of child development. You will also have the chance to contribute to presentations of our research at international conferences and be included in future publications. This is the perfect opportunity to develop important research skills and relationships while learning about children's social cognitive development. Schedules are highly flexible. Inquiries can be directed to childlab@umn.edu, or by submitting an application from our website.
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COURSES
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IMPORTANT: Courses listed below are not offered by the Department of Psychology, and you will need to meet with your college advisor to find out how they will fit into your academic program.
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4.PSY May Term Psy 3960: Cognitive Enhancement and 'Smart Pills'
Use of stimulant medications such as methylphenidate (trade names such as Ritalin and Concerta) and amphetamine (Adderall) by psychologically healthy individuals as so-called "smart pills" (nootropics: drugs designed to improve mental functions) has undergone recent increases in popularity. Most notably used to treat psychiatric conditions such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), stimulant medications are thought to enhance cognition by increasing alertness and energy, improving positive mood, and prolonging physical and mental stamina. College campuses, athletic settings, and workplace environments are among nonmedical settings that one might find individuals using such medications in hopes of gaining a "competitive edge." However, to what extent these medications actually boost a person's cognitive ability (versus one's perception of effectiveness) or what the potential aversive consequences may be from taking stimulants (e.g., dependence, iatrogenic effects) remain to be better understood. This course will give a brief history of stimulant drug usage (prescription and non-prescription; e.g., nicotine, caffeine) as it pertains to medical (e.g., asthma, ADHD) and nonmedical (recreation, cognitive enhancement) applications. We will also investigate present-day prevalence of stimulant usage: who is using stimulants and for what reasons? Folk belief of stimulants' effect on a person's cognitive ability is that these drugs enhance learning/memory processes among other executive functions and motor abilities. To this regard, we will ask whether stimulant medications actually "work" for the common person and if so, how? Several considerations of stimulant usage will be discussed. Do stimulants work for all people in the same way? How should policy-making institutions view the use of stimulant drugs for nonmedical purposes (is it "cheating?")? Is it ethical for the medical profession to prescribe these drugs for this purpose, especially when parents request them for school-age children? Given that methylphenidate and amphetamine are government-controlled substances, what potential concerns are there for the neurotoxic effects and addiction? Go to the Summer Course Schedule to register!
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JOB/INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
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IMPORTANT: Organizations listed below are not necessarily affiliated with or endorsed by the Department of Psychology or Psychology Undergraduate Advising. Please exercise the same discretion you would in viewing any other source.
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5.Volunteer Position Available with Forensic Services
CornerHouse is an internationally renowned center located in Minneapolis for it's work conducting forensic interviews with children when issues of child abuse are being investigated. They use a model that allows for ONE interview with all of the child protection, social workers, attorneys, and investigators to be observing the interview taking place so the child is protected as much as possible from being re-victimized. Their approach has been replicated around the country and world through the work of their training team. CornerHouse is currently looking for Forensic Services Volunteers. The Forensic Services Volunteer will work closely with staff to provide: a child-friendly environment for children before and after their interview, including purposeful play and appropriate interactions with others in the Family Service area. Volunteers will also be responsible for maintaining the family reception area, answering doors and phone calls for the Family Service area, and light clerical work as needed. Volunteers must be able to commit a minimum of 1 shift per week for at least 6-months (variety of shifts available). Volunteers must be: over 18 years of age, able to communicate effectively with children age 2-17, able to maintain confidentiality and strong interpersonal boundaries, comply with all program policies and procedures of CornerHouse, and able to work closely with staff. This opportunity will give volunteers an experience: with a highly regarded nonprofit, to be part of a team of professionals, and help provide important services to children and families in your community. Contact: Rut Kessel at rut.kessel@childrensmn.org or 612-813-5937 for more information.
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6.Internship Opportunity at Autism Treatment Center
St. David's Center - Autism Day Treatment has a new internship opportunity beginning in September 2014. St. David's has recently opened a community-based autism day treatment program focused specifically on serving the Twin Cities' Somali/East African population. The program's goal is to bridge cultural barriers that limit access to autism services in the Somali community and provide high quality early intervention services. This includes being located in an accessible community location and staff who are fluent in Somali/East African language and culture. The program model and internship design is equitable to St. David's traditional ADT program. This is a fantastic opportunity for students who are interested in exploring culturally-responsive treatment practices to participate in an intensive early intervention autism program. Direct client contact therapy in the treatment room provides the majority of internship hours. The opportunity to provide in-home family therapy may be available to interns with fluency in the Somali language. Although St. David's traditionally accepts only graduate level interns, this program will be open to undergraduate interns who possess strong clinical skills. For a full internship description and information about how to apply contact Rebecca Ludwig at RLudwig@stdavidscenter.org.
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