“I am so glad I took advantage of the opportunity!” : Experimental work in the Visual Perception Lab

(Photo provided by Mackenzie Lacey)

 “I’ve learned to have more confidence in myself when it comes to undertaking activities outside my comfort zone, and I have also discovered that I am capable of far more than I ever imagined.”  ~ Mackenzie Lacey

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*In the following article, TS refers to The Synapse and ML refers to Mackenzie Lacey;

TS: Could you briefly introduce yourself (name and degree), your research position, and the faculty you work with?

ML: My name is Mackenzie Lacey, and I am a 4th year Bachelor of Science student majoring in Psychology with a specialization in Neuroscience and a minor in Biology. I work as a research assistant in Dr. Voyer’s Visual Perception Lab in the Department of Psychology.

TS: What is your day in the life working this position? What is the overarching goal of the research project you are contributing to?

ML: My day in the life is just like any other student apart from the experimental sessions I do two to three times a week for students participating in research experiments. It involves setting up the lab and ensuring that participants are staying on task throughout the experiment. Lab setup involves preparing chin stands at two computers and sanitizing the equipment, and the experiment involves a curve-tracing task, an attention task, and a mental rotation task. 

In the computerized curve-tracing task, two curved lines appear on the screen with two dots placed on them. Participants must determine whether the dots fall on a single curve, or if they are placed on different curves. In the attention task, numbers from 1-10 are flashed onto the screen; the participants must press the spacebar following each number unless it is number 3. Lastly, the mental rotation task presents participants with the image of an object; they must scan 4 other images of different angles and determine which of the two images are of the same object.

I also have bi-weekly meetings with my supervisor and the other two research employees to discuss how data collection for our experiments is going. 

The overarching goal of the research project to which I am contributing is to comprehend how the processes involved in visual-spatial abilities differ across the sexes. 

TS: What do you find most interesting about working this position?

ML: By working with research participants, this position has allowed me to meet different people from a variety of programs. It has been interesting to hear about what each of these individuals plan on doing after they finish school, and it’s given me the opportunity to offer advice based on my own undergraduate experience.

It’s also interesting to see how each person responds to the tasks assigned to them in the experiment; for example, how participants share their strategies for the curve tracing task or their comedic reactions to the attention span task. I also like hearing about the other studies they have participated in. 

TS: Is there anything you learned about yourself while working this position?

ML: I’ve learned to balance my time between weekly appointments with students and personal schoolwork. I’ve learned to have more confidence in myself when it comes to undertaking activities outside my comfort zone, and I have also discovered that I am capable of far more than I ever imagined: it’s given me the realization to always try things and to have more confidence in myself in situations that may make me feel uncomfortable.

TS: How did you obtain this position?

ML: In August of this year, I received an email from Dr. Voyer about the need for research assistants in his lab to help with upcoming experiments. I wasn’t sure what the job entailed, but after numerous email exchanges with Dr. Voyer, I decided to apply for the job. Following an interview, I was offered a position in Dr. Voyer’s Visual Perception lab. I was a little apprehensive at first because this was something completely out of my comfort zone, but I am so glad I took advantage of the opportunity that was given to me! 

TS: What would you recommend to students who are interested in working research positions but are unsure how to get involved?

ML: First and foremost, I want to encourage students who are interested in working in research to have confidence and venture outside their comfort zone. I encourage students to speak with instructors about open research jobs at UNB. If you have a particular area in Psychology you are highly interested in, UNB offers skilled professors in various fields who would be eager to speak with you. I would even encourage participating in the various research studies at UNB to get a sense of what it is like to be on the other end as a research assistant.

TS: Is there anything else you wish to share about your experience?

ML: I am grateful for the experience I am getting through this position. It is helping me understand what a career path in research might look like. Ψ

Created for The Synapse by Incé Husain.