Language, Emotion, and Development Project (Psychology Department, Zhou Culture and Family Study Lab, UC-Berkeley)
Qing Zhou, Professor
Psychology
Closed. This professor is continuing with Fall 2023 apprentices on this project; no new apprentices needed for Spring 2024.
Project LEAD (Language, Emotion, and Development) is a longitudinal study funded by the National Institute of Health (PIs: Qing Zhou at UC-Berkeley; Yuuko Uchikoshi at UC-Davis). This study aims at investigating the links among bilingual development, executive function, parent-child and teacher-child relationships, and socio-emotional development in young children from Mexican American and Chinese American families. We have recruited over 200 dual language learners (initially 3-4 years of age, from Chinese American/CA and Mexican American/MA families) from Head Start programs in the San Francisco Bay Area, and have been following these children and their families annually for three years (from preschool to kindergarten). Three waves of multi-method data are being collected from children and families through classroom observation, home interview and observation, parent and teacher survey, and language and neuropsychological test. The data will be used to examine the reciprocal relations between bilingual and socio-emotional development in dual language learners and test the mediation and moderation mechanisms underlying the developmental pathways.
The position is ideal for motivated students looking to work with underserved populations, and develop research and clinical skills before applying to graduate programs in psychology (e.g., clinical psychology, school psychology, and developmental psychology), education, public health, and medicine. Training includes opportunities to learn to administer multiple measures and tools in psychological research, including emotion, cognitive, and language assessments of children, behavioral observations of parent-child interactions, parent and teacher interviews and surveys, and classroom observations. Working with our lab also provides experience working with diverse, low income, immigrant families and school communities.
Role: Student apprentices will work under the supervision of the PIs, graduate students, and project coordinators. Essential functions include:
Organizing and participating in community outreach efforts at local preschools and community organizations serving diverse immigrant families ;
Carry out psychological and behavioral assessments of preschool- or kindergarten-age children and their parents via Zoom and telephone assessments;
Collaborate in creating workshops and activities for preschool aged children;
Documentation and record keeping, not limited to helping with mailing procedures;
Enter data and maintain study databases using SPSS, Excel, REDCap, and Qualtrics;
Participate in regular supervision meetings and training workshops with the PIs, graduate students, and project coordinators.
Complete CITI Training.
In addition to submitting the application on URAP, please fill out our application survey online (https://berkeley.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0Aje4tESJlfEwTA). Students selected for interviews will be contacted by lab staff. Thank you!
Qualifications: Students with Cantonese or Spanish language skills (verbal, reading, and writing/typing), and familiarity with the Chinese or Latino culture are especially welcome to apply;
Prior coursework in Research Methods, Developmental Psychology, Clinical Psychology, or Developmental Psychopathology is desired but not required;
Students must have weekend availability (attend training workshops and conduct home assessment) and availability during weekdays (attend training sessions and/or conduct assessment at preschools);
Students who can committee to the lab for both Fall 23 and Spring 24 semester are preferred, due to extensive training involved;
Experience in conducting interviews and behavioral assessments with young children and families is desired but not required;
Prior work experience in early childhood education programs (e.g., Head Start preschools/state funded preschools/elementary schools) is desired but not required; Familiarity with audio-visual and camera equipment desirable;
General computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Canva and SPSS desirable; Ability to quickly learn and master computer programs, databases, and scientific applications;
Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and verbal and written communication skills;
Ability to interact and work effectively with culturally diverse children, families, and research team members desired.
Hours: 6-8 hrs
Off-Campus Research Site: Note that our lab procedures will be hybrid (remote assessments/in person office hours) during the school year.
Related website: https://zhoulab.berkeley.edu/
Social Sciences Biological & Health Sciences