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）站点计划和刺激竞争研究的既定计划（EPSCoR）资助。它具有科学和社会效益，并将研究和教育相结合。西弗吉尼亚大学REU行为科学研究网站为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，并扩大行为科学专业研究人员的多样性。招收符合国家科学基金条件的大二、大三和大四本科生，这个REU网站特别鼓励来自阿巴拉契亚地区主要本科院校的心理学本科专业学生和来自心理学领域代表性不足群体的学生，包括来自代表性不足的种族和民族群体的个人（例如，黑人、土著和有色人种）、退伍军人、残疾人、第一代大学生，以及来自社会经济落后地区的学生。REU的参与者在行为科学方面进行实验室研究，重点是行为心理学的“板凳科学”，以及将基础研究转化为具有社会意义的问题。参与培养科学、沟通和协作技能。研究项目涉及行为科学的几个领域，包括行为药理学、预防复发和适应不良行为、社会行为和提高行为干预的效果。这些研究的发现有助于更深入地了解基本的行为过程和行为改变的技术。该项目的长期目标是培养学生对实验心理学的兴趣和参与，并扩大行为科学领域熟练研究人员的多样性。实现这一目标的目标包括：1)为来自主要本科院校的学生和来自代表性不足群体的学生提供研究机会；2)让学生参与心理学的实验室研究，重点是学生在本国院校可能没有机会获得的经验，包括行为心理学的实验研究和转化研究；3)提高学生的技术研究技能，包括想法发展、研究设计、技术实验室技能。4)通过提供相关经验、支持和鼓励心理学及相关领域的研究生学习或其他学士学位后的机会，留住心理学领域的参与者。每年，一个由8名REU参与者组成的队列与WVU心理学系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，与导师一起进行研究项目，参加研究会议，参加每周一次的研讨会和物理计算研讨会，参加多学科研讨会，并出席研究研讨会。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

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.