Personality Lab

Located on the third floor of McCreary Hall, this lab offers research opportunities for Gettysburg College students interested in personality and clinical psychology. 

Topics include:

  • Personality characteristics associated with mental health problems (e.g., rejection sensitivity, dichotomous thinking, effortlessly perfect self-presentation)

  • Compassion for ourselves and others

  • Inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing in STEM

  • Stigma, identity concerns, and relationship strain faced by people living with mental illness

  • A wide range of other research questions of interest to motivated students

Students participate in all aspects of conducting research, and have opportunities to contribute as co-authors on conference presentations and publications. New members of the lab usually begin by helping to collect and/or code data for ongoing lab projects. As students develop more research skills, they are encouraged to pursue more in-depth and independent roles in the lab, gaining experience with analyzing and interpreting research data, and completing projects of their own personal choice/design. Members of the Personality Lab have found their experience helpful for excellent graduate school and work opportunities after graduation.

  • While classes are in session, up to 10 students work in the Personality Lab 3-5 hours per week as a quarter-credit research internship or for pay. Returning RAs have priority for lab positions, but new RAs are also welcome on a first-come basis until all positions are filled. If this opportunity interests you, let’s talk about it and make plans so you’ll be ready to start at the beginning of the semester.
  • Over the summer, students work in the Personality Lab on fellowships awarded through the X-SIG summer fellowship program or the Shand summer fellowship program.  If summer research interests you, let’s talk about it and make plans so you’ll be ready to apply when applications are due (in Feb-March and April, respectively). If there is competition for positions, preference will be given to those who have already shown they are dedicated RAs, those who have put more effort/thought into preparing their applications, and those with more relevant skills/coursework. There isn’t always a lot of competition, though, so if you’re interested, ask!
  • Students also have opportunities to conduct independent research in the Personality Lab for course credit (Psych 460, 461, 462, 463, 464, 466).  See this list for examples of the independent research projects students have completed.
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