91¿´Æ¬Íø

Student Research

Psychology students are encouraged to develop high-quality research projects in and out of the classroom, which often culminate in symposium and conference presentations, as well as professional publications.

Psychology majors—especially those considering graduate study in psychology—are strongly encouraged to pursue additional research opportunities. They may gain research experience beyond their required coursework in a number of ways. 

On Campus: Research Assistant

The psychology faculty maintain active research laboratories and seek to involve students in their projects. Typically, research assistants work with faculty on research for academic credit (0.25- or 0.50-credit practicum projects), although some students might serve as paid laboratory managers when funding is available. Students can also earn credit for research with independent research projects and senior theses. In research labs, students gain first-hand experience with research design, data collection, analysis, and dissemination of research.

Interested students should read our individual research blurbs and contact individual faculty to discuss the potential to engage in a faculty-student collaborative research project.

On Campus: Richter Scholar Program

Students selected for the Richter Scholar Program work one-on-one with a faculty member on research during the summer after their first year. A few students complete Richter projects in psychology every year (for either 4-weeks or 8-weeks) and these students sometimes continue to work with their faculty mentor throughout their undergraduate career.

Off Campus: Research Internship

Students who want to learn more about large-scale projects may take advantage of opportunities at research universities in the Chicago area, either as paid research assistants or as research interns under the supervision of 91¿´Æ¬Íø faculty. For example, Lake Forest students have joined labs at Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, and Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science.

Senior Theses

A few of our strongest students each year pursue  research.  Although occasionally this research is part of a faculty member’s research program, it is typically a student-generated research project. Students interested in senior theses start formulating research ideas in the spring of the junior year, find a faculty member who is willing to advise them on their project, and conduct the thesis research itself throughout the senior year.

Student Publications and Presentations

Students routinely serve as co-authors on professional and undergraduate publications, co-presenters at national and international conferences, and sole presenters at 91¿´Æ¬Íø’s Student Symposium.

Where Can You Go With Student Research?

Nahren Ishaya Cama, PhD

Nahren Ishaya Cama, PhD

Manager of Consulting Services at I/O Solutions

James Chambers, MDiv

James Chambers, MDiv

Campus Ministry, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship

Kim Diah, MS

Kim Diah, MS

Graduate Student

Nicole Talge, PhD

Nicole Talge, PhD

Michigan State University

Mario Baldassari, PhD

Mario Baldassari, PhD

St. Mary’s University

Our students have co-authored research publications, as undergraduates, in journals such as

  • British Journal of Psychology
  • Journal of Cognitive Psychology
  • Journal of Community Psychology
  • Journal of Computational Social Sciences 
  • Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, & Cognition
  • Journal of Medical Internet Research 
  • Journal of Medical Internet Research: Human Factors 
  • Memory
  • Memory & Cognition
  • Psi Chi Journal of Psychological Research 
  • Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology
  • Review of Educational Research