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CaP Research Lab

What is the CaP Research Lab?

Although the word lab is a common abbreviation for laboratory and is often used to refer to a physical facility in which research is conducted, it can also be used metonymically to refer to the people who are actually conducting research within the physical facility; therefore, the CaP Research Lab simply refers to a group of UL Lafayette students and people interested in gaining research experience, under the guidance of Dr. Brooke O. Breaux, who come together to discuss their research and professional interests. Dr. Breaux’s main research interests involve taking a cognitive approach to explore the meanings of words, terms, and phrases that we encounter everyday and to investigate the effect that these words, terms, and phrases have on the ways in which we think about ourselves, others, and the world around us. Dr. Breaux is especially interested in the existence of figurative (as opposed to literal) words, terms, and phrases (e.g., metaphors, euphemisms, metonymies) and wants to better understand where they come from, what they mean to everyday people, and what function they serve.

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Who makes up the CaP Research Lab?

  • Guests show up for at least one lab meeting without any additional obligations.

  • Lab Members commit to regularly attending lab meetings (at least 75%), participating in lab discussions, providing constructive criticism when presentations are given, and helping research teams with specific tasks.

  • Research Assistants have all the obligations of a lab member and also commit to being part of a research team. They are expected to spend approximately five hours each week engaging in research activities. Time spent attending Team Meetings and Lab Meetings count toward this five-hour commitment. [If you are an undergraduate student at UL Lafayette, consider enrolling in PSYC 397 to earn course credit for your work.]

  • Team Leaders have all the obligations of a research assistant and also commit to leading a research project (with Dr. Breaux's assistance). They are expected to spend approximately ten hours of each week engaging in research activities. They are also expected to lead at least one lab activity per semester.

 

What happens during CaP Research Lab meetings?

Meetings typically take place on Friday afternoons. We have a quick "check-in" to see how everyone is doing. Then someone will present on a topic that is generally related to “preparing for the future.” Finally, someone will present on and/or lead a discussion about a research-related topic.

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What are the benefits of lab membership?

There are many benefits to being a member of a research lab, here are some of the benefits that stand out the most. As a CaP Research Lab member, you would have the opportunity to . . .

  • get hands-on research experience. These experiences can range from becoming a better critical thinker, presenter, and collaborator to being able to apply the knowledge and skills you developed in PSYC 315 to actual data.

  • meet other students with similar goals. As you know, not all psychology majors seek out research experience, and not all psychology majors are interested in graduate school. The students you meet in the CaP Research Lab are typically those who enjoy learning and have the goal of pursuing a career in psychology or a related field.

  • learn more about your career options. We talk a lot about our future goals and the different types of graduate programs that are out there for students interested in psychology. We also talk about the steps necessary to prepare for graduate school applications, such as taking the GRE and how to incorporate your CaP Research Lab experiences into your academic resume.

  • have me write you a letter of recommendation. I have had the opportunity to write many strong letters of recommendation for students in the CaP Research Lab who have demonstrated skills that are highly sought in their area of interest. I have also, at times, offered to serve as a reference for a job application. Please keep in mind, though, that even CaP Research Lab members need to ask whether or not I would be willing to write them a letter of recommendation or serve as a reference.

  • wear a CaP Research Lab honors cord at graduation. If you are a Research Assistant or Team Leader and successfully meet the requirements of your position for at least one semester, you will be presented with a CaP Research Lab honors cord to wear at graduation.

 

How can I become a member of the CaP Research Lab?

If you are interested in becoming a member, please contact Dr. Breaux via email (brooke.breaux@louisiana.edu), stop by Girard Hall (Room 222B), or fill out a Lab Member Application form.

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