Faculty Research Projects
The Psychology Department strives to offer as many enrichment opportunities for its students as possible. From time to time, these opportunities may include a Faculty Research Project. Students are invited to collaborate through research conducted here at Messiah or elsewhere. Below is a description of such a project and how students and faculty work together to design and carry-out psychological research:
Research Collaboration on Women’s Body Image and Eating Behavior Led by Dr. Chris Boyatzis of Bucknell University in collaboration with Dr. John Addleman and Dr. Valerie Lemmon of Messiah College as well as Messiah College Psychology students
Dr. Chris Boyatzis is a developmental psychologist who is especially interested in the psychology of religion. In the past several years, Dr. Boyatzis has been conducting research related to body image in adolescent females, college women, young women, and young men. His research has led him to question whether a person’s religiosity/spirituality will have an effect on his/her body image.
In this particular research project, Messiah College is partnering with Dr. Chris Boyatzis of Bucknell University to conduct a study here at Messiah College alongside Psychology Department faculty and students. Dr. Boyatzis will work with Psychology Department faculty and students in a truly collaborative effort to sample women at Messiah concerning body image/eating habits and religiosity/spirituality. Dr. Boyatzis and the Psychology Department faculty believe this project will provide Messiah students with an opportunity for “growth as psychologists,” as students who do help conduct the study will be co-authors on publications resulting from this research.
Dr. Boyatzis’ proposal for research collaboration is just one example of a faculty research project that gives students a chance to participate in true psychological study. As you can see, the goal of these projects is not only to develop research, but also to promote cooperation among the research directors and Messiah students who will act as research assistants, to foster an environment of research that will familiarize students with assessment settings, and to allow for the “growth as psychologists” of Messiah students involved. Clearly, such a research opportunity can provide for an enriching experience for any undergraduate student who is interested in psychological research.
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