This award provides funds to the State University of New York, Stony Brook to establish a summer program designed to immerse a small group of undergraduate students in an active research environment spanning the areas of behavioral neuroscience, psychophysiology and the experimental study of decision, choice and self-control. The goal underlying this initiative is to introduce students who are not currently involved in a laboratory research program to state-of-the-art psychological research in some of the most interesting and important areas of experimental psychology. This program is intended to foster interest in, and an appreciation of, scientific research, especially for those students who might not otherwise have an opportunity to participate in this type of activity. Students will participate in an intense eight-week "hands-on" research experience where, in addition to learning specific laboratory skills, they will be exposed to all phases of the research process. They will also receive academic counseling and have access to a variety of support services. Undergraduates will conduct independent research projects in one of nine active research laboratories in the Department of Psychology. They will be closely supervised by faculty but will be encouraged to take as much responsibility as possible for these projects. To supplement the laboratory experience, a variety of group activities are planned (e.g., lab visits, lab meetings, "brown bag" lunches, seminars and a mini-symposium). These activities are designed to facilitate student interactions with the faculty mentors, as well as provide opportunities to share experiences with one another. Since a positive research experience may significantly affect a student's decision to pursue a career in scientific research, it is important that an exciting and stimulating environment be created.
