Understanding Visual Attention Development: Investigate how infants and young children use their eyes to focus on and track objects, people, and events in their environment to gain insights into the development of visual attention and its impact on learning.
Exploring Memory Formation: Examine the processes through which infants and young children form and retain memories of their experiences, with the aim of understanding the role of memory in early cognitive development and learning.
Identifying Attention Patterns: Identify and analyze the patterns of attention and gaze behavior in infants and young children to determine how they prioritize different stimuli and how these patterns influence their learning and interaction with the world.
Enhancing Learning Strategies: Develop and test strategies to enhance the learning capabilities of infants and young children by leveraging their natural attention and memory processes, with the goal of creating effective educational tools and interventions.
Check out the "Join Us" page for more details on how to get started!
We are seeking participants for our upcoming studies that aim to explore various aspects of human cognition and behavior. Your participation will provide valuable insights and help advance our understanding of the mind.
Who Should Participate?
Individuals aged 0 - 3, with parents willing to engage in a variety of research activities.
Those with an interest in psychological studies and a commitment to contributing to scientific research.
Participants' parents who can follow detailed instructions.
What Will Participation Involve?
Engaging in experimental sessions that may involve computer-based tasks with the child.
Sessions typically last between 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the study.
Benefits of Participation:
Contributing to important childhood development research that may have real-world applications.
Gaining insight into the research process and the field of psychology.
Receiving compensation (Amazon Gift Card) or course credit (if applicable) for your time and effort.
Apply to participate in one of our studies under the "Study Participation" tab!
Our undergraduate Research Assistants (RAs) make up the heart of the VMAD lab. Students looking for a research assistant position have the option of working with the VMAD lab as a volunteer or for 1-3 course credits (PSY 4997r).
Research assistants are expected to commit to at least one semester, with a weekly time commitment of up to 1 - 6 hours.
Research assistants will help with a variety of tasks including but not limited to: conducting literature reviews, data collection, study design/pilot testing, data processing/analysis and the preparation of presentations and manuscripts.
If you have experience with any of the following computer programming languages or programs, please be sure to mention it in the application: SPSS, R, Eyelink 1000+ Eyetracking System
To apply for a position as a research assistant please complete the form which can be found here or in the "Join the Lab" tab.
If you wish to apply to the Department of Psychology's Research Assistant practicum for course credit (PSY 4997r), please contact bret-eschman@utc.edu before applying.
Graduate students often contribute to the VMAD Lab in the same way that undergraduate students do, with the additional opportunities for data analysis, manuscript preparation, and independent research through a thesis.
Prospective undergraduate students interested in being part of the VMAD Lab research team need to complete the form under the "Lab Interest" tab before applying on the UTC Psychology Department website.
Graduate students or prospective graduate students are encouraged to contact Dr. Eschman directly by email at bret-eschman@utc.edu.
