High School Research Experience in the Evolution and Human Behavior Laboratory
University of Miami
The Evolution and Human Behavior Laboratory, directed by Professor Michael McCullough, is looking for
motivated high school students who wish to spend a semester, an academic year, or a summer gaining valuable
volunteer research experience in the scientific study of human behavior from an evolutionary perspective. Housed
within the Department of Psychology at the University of Miami, the EHB Lab’s approach to psychology integrates
the principles of evolutionary biology to explain human behavior; that is, we look to our evolutionary past to shed
light on how and why we behave the way we do in the present.
For an outstanding introduction to the basic principles of evolutionary psychology, go to:
http://www.psych.ucsb.edu/research/cep/primer.html.
Where We Are
We are located on the Coral Gables campus at the University of Miami in the Flipse building at 5665 Ponce de
Leon Boulevard. We have a general lab space with multiple computers for research and data entry, and three
separate rooms for running experimental sessions.
What We Do
Most of our research revolves around trying to understand the evolution and maintenance of the psychological
mechanisms that govern cooperative behavior in humans. Specifically, we currently have research projects that
try to answer the following questions:
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What motivates people to retaliate against others?
Why do people sometimes forgive transgressors instead of retaliating against them?
How does gratitude facilitate social relationships?
When and why are humans generous towards strangers?
What social information do facial expressions like smiles communicate? Why are facial expressions
reliable signals of certain mental states?
How do living conditions from early in development affect cooperative behavior in adulthood?
What cues do people use to infer that others value their welfare and/or are valuable social partners?
Does religion make people more prosocial?
What Research Assistants Do
There are three main responsibilities for research assistants in our lab:
- Participation in weekly lab meetings (5:00-6:00 PM Wednesdays)
o During these meetings, we discuss current research relevant to the work we are doing in the lab and
brainstorm future directions for the lab’s projects.
- Running participant sessions
o All RAs receive thorough training in how to run experimental sessions with participants. During
experimental sessions, RAs are responsible for interacting with one or more participants at a time and
collecting data. Data collection can include behavioral measures (e.g., decisions to cooperate or
cheat in an economic game) and cognitive tasks (e.g., tests of working memory capacity).
- Data tasks
o RAs are responsible for entering data into Excel and SPSS (a statistical analysis program). They may
also be involved in coding data we collect during experiments, including written responses and/or
video recordings.
Requirements
We would like to invite outstanding high school students to join our team as research assistants. Applicants
should be highly-motivated, responsible individuals with a strong interest in scientific research and have 3.5 or
higher cumulative GPA. Eligible applicants must be rising or current juniors or seniors, able to attend the
mandatory Wednesday evening lab meetings, commit to at least five additional hours of volunteer work per week
in the lab, and they will have taken (or be scheduled to take) at least one AP science or math class.
Research Assistant Application
Evolution and Human Behavior Laboratory
University of Miami, Flipse 443
5665 Ponce de Leon Blvd
Coral Gables, FL 33146
Name: ______________________________________________________________________________
Address: ____________________________________________________________________________
Phone: _________________________________
Email: ________________________________
School: _____________________________________________________________________________
Year in School: __________________________
Overall GPA: ____________________________
What AP science/math classes have you taken?_____________________________________________
What AP science/math classes are you scheduled to take?____________________________________
How many hours a week are you able to commit to working in the lab?_________________________
Are you able to attend weekly lab meetings on Wednesday evenings at 5:00?
Y
N
Please attach a 1-page personal statement telling us about yourself, your current and future goals, and how
becoming a member of the Evolution and Human Behavior Lab will help to further your academic career. You
may also attach a resume.
Please send this application, as well as your 1-page personal statement, to ehblabum@gmail.com when
completed.
If you have any questions, please contact Julie Berhane using the lab email address.