Clinical Projects and Opportunities
Personality Studies Laboratory
Director: Dr. Joshua D. Miller
Our lab focuses on the examination of both general and pathological models of personality and their use in assessing and conceptualizing personality disorders and maladaptive behaviors (e.g., substance use, aggression; Gaughan, Miller, Pryor, & Lynam, in press; Pryor, Miller, Hoffman, & Harding, in press). We have several ongoing projects in collaboration with faculty from other UGA psychology labs.
Specifically, we are currently collaborating with Jennifer McDowell, Ph.D. from the Cognitive-Experimental/Neuroscience Program on a project examining clinicians’ responses to therapy related stimuli using fMRI.
Additionally, we are working with Keith Campbell, Ph.D. from the Social Psychology Program on several projects related to conceptualizing and assessing various aspects of narcissism (e.g., Miller & Campbell, 2008; Miller, Campbell, & Pilkonis, 2007).
We also engage in ongoing collaboration with Amos Zeichner, Ph.D. from the Clinical Psychology Program investigating the relation between personality, psychopathy, and aggression (e.g., Reidy, Zeichner, Miller, & Martinez, 2007).
Our lab also collaborates with colleagues at a number of other universities such as Don Lynam (Purdue University), Tom Widiger (University of Kentucky), and Paul Pilkonis (Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center), to name just a few.
Graduate Student Lab Members:
- Eric T. Gaughan, 3rd year
- Lauren R. Pryor, 3rd year
- Lauren Wilson, 1st year
Beach Laboratory
Director: Dr. Steven Beach
Some of the research in our lab has been examining the role of particular genotypes in moderating environmental effects on behavioral outcomes. Recently we have shown that genotype moderates effects of parenting on child outcomes, and that genotype moderates the effects of intervention of both parent and child outcomes. We are also examining epigenetic processes and their relationship to behavioral outcomes.
Selected Recent Publications
Beach S.R. et al. (2009) Change in caregiver depression in response to parent training: Genetic moderation of intervention effects. Journal of Family Psychology, 23, 112-117
Gunther M. et al. (2009) Deciphering spousal intentions: An fMRI study of couple communication. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 26, 388-410
Collaborators
- Gene Brody: Center for Family Research
- Robert Philibert: University of Iowa, School of Medicine
- Carolyn Cutrona: Iowa State University, Department of Psychology
Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology Laboratory
Director: Dr. James MacKillop
The focus of the Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology Laboratory (ECPL) is to improve the understanding of addictive behavior. The ECPL is directed by Dr. James MacKillop and is an active research and training laboratory. Doctoral students contribute to the research program and conduct their own research. The current PhD students are Michael Amlung, M.S., John Acker, and Cara Murphy. A number of Research Assistants both contribute to research studies and learn about psychological research. The ECPL studies addictive behavior using behavioral economics and other approaches that are informed by learning theory. The research projects use an array of different experimental approaches, including survey approaches, human laboratory paradigms, clinical studies, and, most recently, neuroimaging paradigms.
Download a PDF of a recent publication
Collaborators:
- James MacKillop, PhD: Director
- Michael Amlung, MS: Project Coordinator
- Lauren Pryor, MS; Project Coordinator
- John Acker, BS; Graduate Student
- Cara Murphy, BS; Graduate Student
Eating, Drinking & Personality Laboratory
Director: Dr. Sarah Fischer
The Eating, Drinking, and Personality Lab at the University of Georgia conducts research studies on binge eating, purging, and alcohol abuse. We examine how personality traits influence these behaviors through deficits in emotion regulation, impulse control, and reward seeking. We are currently conducting studies on:
- The effectiveness of Dialectical Behavior Therapy for bulimic symptoms and self injury in adolescents.
- The influence of normative personality traits on bulimic symptoms, substance abuse, and personality disorders.
- The effects of an attention disengagement treatment program for anxiety on distress, alcohol use, and eating behaviors in individuals with borderline symptoms.
- How personality traits influence changes in eating behaviors and alcohol use over time.
Culture, Risk, and Resilience Lab
Director: Dr. Rheeda L Walker
Suicide is a complex but preventable public health challenge. In our research lab, we aim to refine predictive models for suicide risk by examining cultural, psychological, and biological factors that render adults vulnerable. At present, we are analyzing two datasets: One is associated with university students' beliefs about suicide precipitants; the other dataset focuses on neighborhood context as a predictor of individual level hopelessness.
