My Research Interests
My research interests are largely related to the interplay between clinical and developmental psychology.
Current Research Projects
Anxiety Sensitivity and Attachment style
We have been collecting data in an effort to understand the relationship between anxiety sensitivity and attachment style. We are interested in determining if insecure attachment styles are associated with greater anxiety sensitivity and greater frequency and intensity of panic and anxiety symptoms..
The Influence of Attachment Style and Disease on Daily Life
The purpose of this study is to examine the daily experiences of adults with cardiovascular and/or pulmonary conditions. Using The Day Reconstruction Method (DRM) we ask participants to describe the experiences they had on a given day through a reconstruction of the day’s events on the following day. In addition to indentifying the activities, participants are asked who they interacted with and how they felt during those interactions. In addition, we will be ask participants to complete a questionnaire assessing their attitudes towards interpersonal relationships. We have already collected data with a college sample and our plans are to collect data from community-dwelling adults.
Cultural Variation in Moral Reasoning
This study examines how culture may shape moral reasoning. In collaboration with Professor Anna Laura Comunian (U Padua, Dept of Psychology, Padua, Italy) we will collect survey data from the WIU psychology pool related to the development of moral judgment in American society. This data will then be pooled and compared to moral judgment survey information collected from other countries.
Representative completed student research projects
Examples of current and recent research projects undertaken by Undergraduate and Graduate students with me include: (a) anxiety sensitivity and attachment; (b) communication among impaired and nonimpaired nursing home residents; (c) gender related affect differences in response to a mood induction procedure; (d) Students’ perceptions of accountants; (e) positive affect and peer social support on college student drinking behavior; (f) divorce, parenting styles, and college adjustment; and (e) assessing the relationship between attitudes toward mental health service providers and mental health symptoms.
Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Become a Research Team Member
Thank you for your interest in available research assistantships in our lab. As a research assistant, you will learn about the nuts and bolts of doing psychological research in a warm and friendly work environment. Dr Paige Goodwin and I offer an undergraduate research experience (Research Practicum), Psychology 360, taught during the fall, and spring semesters. We train students to become an integral part of the lab. This class is a two-semester commitment (2 credits per semester). Some students choose to stay on for much longer. Rather than tests or papers, each student is required to complete 5 hours of lab work a week. Often lab students go on to write an honors thesis under supervision. If this sounds interesting to you, feel free to contact us to talk more about research opportunities. Contact Dr. Intrieri at mfrci@wiu.edu or Dr. Goodwin at PE-Goodwin@wiu.edu.
What Will I Do?
As a research assistant, you will be given the opportunity to work closely with other members of the laboratory (including other undergraduates and graduate students, Professors Intrieri and Goodwin) on one or more of our current research projects. Your responsibilities may include: collecting and managing data; transcribing and coding; doing library research; designing studies; maintaining lab equipment; running subjects; preparing stimuli and instruments for projects; and screening potential study participants over the phone. In addition to the work that research assistants do on specific research projects, they are also required to contribute to the maintenance of the lab (e.g., entry of information into excel or SPSS, cleaning, copying articles, filing, maintaining the web site) and to attend a weekly lab meeting. During these meetings, we: take care of administrative tasks; talk about conceptual and methodological issues related to our projects and research on emotion; check-in about various projects; listen to and provide feedback on papers and presentations; and train research assistants on various research methods. Research assistants are expected to attend and stay for the entire lab meeting. Because of the training involved in becoming a research assistant, we request a minimum of a five-hour commitment a week (not including the weekly lab meeting), for at least two semesters. We find that research assistants who are the most satisfied with their experience in our lab are the ones who have the most time to become involved in our projects.
Will I Be Paid or Receive Course Credit?
Currently, all of our research assistant positions are voluntary and, therefore, are not paid. WIU undergraduate and graduate students may register for course credit or work for work-study (if eligible) although we have not had anybody on work-study thus far.
What Qualifications Do I Need? We are looking for research assistants with a range of experiences and qualifications. You should have an interest in psychological science and an interest in pursuing graduate studies in psychology. You do NOT need to have previous research experience; however, research assistants will start with responsibilities and duties that match their previous experiences in research. You should be intellectually curious, diligent, and conscientious; be interested in learning about the science of psychology; work well with others; and be able to make the required time commitment. Because we use multiple methods in our research, we are also looking for research assistants who have training in computer programming, who know SPSS, and are eager and willing to learn new things.
How Do I Apply? To apply to be a research assistant in our lab, please submit a resume, unofficial copy of your transcripts, and one-page essay about why you are interested in joining our lab to us, via email. After reviewing your materials, we will contact you for an interview. It may take a few days for us to contact you.
What If I Have Other Questions? Please contact us at the above addresses, or by phone (309-298-1336 (Intrieri) or 309-298-1025 (Goodwin)).