Dating Decisions Study

The Dating Decisions Lab is using psychological theory and research to develop a virtual reality dating simulation that will examine how people make decisions in dating and sexual situations. Dr. Antonia Abbey in Psychology and Dr. Angela Tiura are the faculty mentors. We are looking for volunteer undergraduate psychology (or psychology-adjacent) majors to assist with this multi-year research project. Undergraduate research assistants have the opportunity to be involved in many aspects of the research, including participant recruitment, data collection with young adult participants, data entry, data coding, reviewing VR materials, library research, and discussing research findings and next steps. Currently undergraduates help run focus groups and transcribe participants' responses. This is a great opportunity for learning more about psychological research and deciding if a research career is right for you.

Requirements:
(1) The focus groups will include discussions of young single adults' alcohol consumption and sexual behavior. Research assistants must be comfortable talking about and listening to conversations about heavy drinking and sex with casual partners in an open and nonjudgmental manner with research participants and other researchers in the lab. Some participants use crude language; thus, research assistants also must be comfortable reading and hearing profanity.

(2) Research assistants must (a) have at least 2 three-hour blocks of time during the week. These blocks should include some hours in the standard work day (9 am - 5 pm) but ideally also some evenings and weekends; (b) make a two semester commitment; (c) be reliable and punctual; (d) be able to work independently but also follow instructions; (e) wear “business casual” clothes in the lab.

(3) Research assistants must have (a) a 3.00 or higher cumulative GPA; (b) a B or better grade in at least 3 psychology courses or other social science courses.

To Apply: If you meet the criteria listed above, please send a (1) transcript (unofficial); (2) resume; (3) brief statement describing your career goals and how working in this lab will help you achieve them; and (4) contact information for two references - these should be individuals who can comment on your responsibility, motivation, and work habits (please indicate how you know them). These materials should be sent as attachments to an email sent to dating.decisions@wayne.edu

This is part of a 5-year NIH grant-funded project. We are looking for a commitment of at least 2 semesters.

Undergraduate research assistants are involved with participant recruitment, data collection, data entry, data coding, reviewing VR materials, library research, and discussing research findings and next steps. Currently undergraduates help run focus groups and transcribe the discussions. All research assistants attend a weekly group meeting, as well as work on site in the lab approximately 6 hours a week.

May 10, 2024