The Metacognition Lab
The Metacognition Laboratory at Texas A&M University-Commerce focuses primarily on the study of metamemory. Specifically our research interests include how people's beliefs about their own memory, knowledge about how memory works, and the ability to monitor the accuracy of their memory contribute to memory performance. More globally we are interested in individual difference factors, such as age and sex, on memory performance.
EXAMPLE RESEARCH QUESTIONS:
1) What strategies do people use when learning information?
2) Do beliefs about memory (e.g., “I have a bad memory”) influence performance on a memory test?
3) Are there sex differences in learning new information? What are potential explanations for these
differences?
4) How good are people at knowing what they know? In other words, when individuals are confident are they actually correct?
WAYS TO BE INVOLVED IN THE LAB:
1) Conduct a research project as part of a thesis, dissertation, or independent project. Note: Prospective students should email me at lacy.krueger@tamuc.edu to discuss these opportunities.
2) Become a research assistant. See information below about requirements.
REQUIREMENTS FOR RESEARCH ASSISTANTS:
Research assistants can volunteer in the lab, or they may enroll in PSY 411, 412, or 413 (Research Apprenticeship) with instructor permission for course credit. PSY 411 is 1 credit hour, and students enrolled in this course are expected to work 3 hours in the Metacognition Laboratory each week. Students who enroll in PSY 412 will receive 2 credit hours for working 6 hours in the lab each week, and those in PSY 413 will earn 3 credit hours for working 9 hours in the lab each week. All work is carried out in the laboratory – no homework is given. Duties as a research assistant include: Scheduling and testing participants, coding and entering data, designing materials for experiments, and conducting literature reviews
*Please note that research assistants will be trained on each of the aforementioned tasks; therefore, previous experience with research design and methodology is not necessary. However, these apprenticeships are limited. If you are interested in joining the research team as a research assistant in the Metacognition Laboratory please email Dr. Lacy Krueger at lacy.krueger@tamuc.edu.