REU Site: Research in Behavior Science at West Virginia

该项目由SBE理事会的本科生研究经验（REU）网站计划和刺激竞争力研究的既定计划（EPSCoR）资助。它具有科学和社会效益，并将研究和教育结合起来。西弗吉尼亚大学行为科学研究的REU网站为那些渴望成为下一代行为科学家的学生提供高质量的研究经验和指导。该项目旨在培养对实验心理学的兴趣和参与，并扩大行为科学熟练研究人员的多样性。招聘是开放给NSF合格的本科学生作为上升的大学生，大三和大四，这个REU网站特别鼓励本科心理学专业的学生从主要本科院校在阿巴拉契亚地区和学生从心理学中代表性不足的群体，包括来自代表性不足的种族和民族群体（例如，黑人、土著人和有色人种）、退伍军人、残疾人、第一代大学生和来自社会经济贫困地区的学生。REU参与者进行行为科学的实验室研究，重点是行为心理学中的“实验室科学”以及将基础研究转化为社会意义的问题。参与培养科学，沟通和协作技能。这些研究项目涉及行为科学中几个领域的相关问题，包括行为药理学，预防复发和适应不良行为，社会行为以及提高行为干预的有效性。这些研究的结果有助于更深入地了解基本的行为过程和行为改变的技术。本项目的长期目标是培养学生对实验心理学的兴趣和参与，并扩大行为科学熟练研究人员的多样性。实现这一目标的具体目标包括：1）提供研究机会，以学生从主要本科服务机构和学生代表性不足的群体，2）涉及学生在心理学实验室研究的经验，重点是学生可能没有机会获得在他们的家乡机构，包括板凳和行为心理学的转化研究，3）提高学生的技术研究技能，包括想法开发，研究设计，技术实验室技能和研究的传播，以及4）通过提供相关经验，支持和鼓励来保留心理学领域的参与者，以追求心理学和相关领域的研究生学习或其他学士后机会。每年，一个由8名REU参与者组成的队列与心理学系WVU行为分析项目的教师研究导师一起工作。在为期10周的体验中，REU参与者参加为期3天的培训，与导师一起开展研究项目，参加研究会议，参加每周研讨会和物理计算研讨会，参加多学科研讨会，该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响进行评估，被认为值得支持审查标准。

This project is funded from the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Sites program in the SBE Directorate and the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). It has both scientific and societal benefits, and integrates research and education. The REU Site for Research in Behavior Science at West Virginia University provides high-quality research experience and mentorship to students who aspire to be a part of the next generation of behavior scientists. This project aims to foster interest and participation in experimental psychology and expand the diversity of skilled researchers in behavior science. Recruitment is open to NSF eligible undergraduate students as rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors, and this REU site especially encourages applications from undergraduate psychology majors from primarily undergraduate institutions in the Appalachian region and students from underrepresented groups within psychology, including individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups (e.g., Black, indigenous, and persons of color), veterans, individuals with disabilities, first-generation college students, and students from socio-economically depressed areas. REU participants conduct laboratory research in behavior science with a focus on “bench science” in behavioral psychology and the translation of basic research to issues of social significance. Participation fosters scientific, communication, and collaboration skills. The research projects address questions relevant to several areas in behavior science, including behavioral pharmacology, prevention of relapse and maladaptive behavior, social behavior, and improving the efficacy of behavioral interventions. The findings of these studies contribute to a more advanced understanding of fundamental behavioral processes and technologies of behavior change.The long-term goal of this project is to foster student interest and participation in experimental psychology and expand the diversity of skilled researchers in behavior science. The objectives toward meeting this goal include: 1) Provide research opportunities to students from primarily undergraduate-serving institutions and students from underrepresented groups, 2) Involve students in laboratory research in psychology with an emphasis on experiences that students may not have the opportunity to gain at their home institutions, including bench and translational research in behavioral psychology, 3) Improve students’ technical research skills, including idea development, research design, technical laboratory skills, and the dissemination of research, and 4) Retain participants in the field of psychology by providing relevant experience, support, and encouragement to pursue graduate studies or other post-baccalaureate opportunities within psychology and related fields. Each year, a cohort of 8 REU participants work with faculty research mentors from WVU’s Behavior Analysis Program in the Department of Psychology. During the 10-week experience, REU participants attend a 3-day training, conduct a research project with their mentor, attend research meetings, participate in a weekly seminar and a physical computing workshop, attend multidisciplinary workshops, and present at a research symposium.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.