Emotion and Reasoning in Mania
Sheri Johnson, Professor
Psychology
Applications for Fall 2025 are closed for this project.
This project explores how emotion influences reasoning in the context of bipolar disorder. By examining the effect of emotion on reasoning, we aim to better understand how individuals develop beliefs often associated with the disorder.
Role: The undergraduate research assistant will be trained to develop cognitive stimuli using Photoshop and to discuss psychological literature relevant to emotion and psychopathology. The assistant will also help train participants in self-administered data collection and support data management and quality control.
Through this role, the student will gain practical experience in research cognitive stimuli development, data collection methods, and ethical conduct in human subjects research. Additionally, they will develop communication, organizational, and teamwork skills while contributing to a clinical research study on bipolar disorder.
Qualifications: Applicants should have strong communication skills and be interested in learning how to use different software programs such as Photoshop, PsychoPy, Pavlovia, Prolific, and Qualtrics. An interest in mental health, clinical research, or cognitive science is important. Compassion and sensitivity toward individuals with mental health concerns are essential qualities for this role. The ability to work independently and reliably, with attention to detail, is also required. Basic computer skills, including familiarity with social media platforms and data management tools, are necessary. Professionalism in maintaining confidentiality and following ethical research guidelines is expected. Prior research experience is a plus but not required.
Day-to-day supervisor for this project: Dr. Ariana Castro, Post-Doc
Hours: 9-11 hrs
Off-Campus Research Site: Some work will be at our lab in Berkeley Way West, but much will be done remotely.
Related website: https://calm.berkeley.edu/
Social Sciences Education, Cognition & Psychology