Sensation and Emotion (SnE) Lab

Participate in Paid Research

Men and women 18-30 years old are needed for a research study on sensation and emotion. Physically healthy individuals without any known skin problems or sensitivity to fragrances may be eligible to participate in the study that will last for 1.5 hours. $25 will be paid for completion of the study. For more information, please call Caressa Slocum or Alex Puhalla (732) 445-0749 or e-mail: snelab@rci.rutgers.edu.

Sensation and Emotion Lab

This project aims to understand how individuals respond to sensory stimuli using a comprehensive assessment approach including both biological and psychological indices of emotion and stress. In particular, this research examines the conditions and boundaries under which increases in positive feelings and decreases in stress response are maximally observed in response to a combination of both tactile and olfactory stimuli. Through the implementation of three experimental studies in which young, healthy individuals are exposed to lotion-like sensates varying in both type and dosage, along with different types of fragrances, this study will provide an in-depth understanding of how individuals react to external stimulations and form activity-dependent personal experiences that will guide behavioral response to such experiences (such as developing preference). Assessments are captured at multiple systems levels, including voluntary, subjective self-report measures (e.g., liking or disliking, tactile and olfactory sensations), involuntary physiological responses tapping into the autonomic nervous system response (e.g., heart rate variability, respiration frequency, skin conductance), hormonal responses (e.g., cortisol and oxytocin), and the spontaneous natural rhythms of the brain.

People: Eun-Young Mun, Patricia Buckendahl, Yang Jiao, Jean Lin, Alex Puhalla, Anne E. Ray, Caressa Slocum, Bronya Vaschillo, and Evgeny G. Vaschillo

Debriefing Statement (available until 8/30/2012)

	Yang Jiao I am a Ph.D. student in the Department of Statistics at Rutgers. I started working in the lab since the summer of 2010. I helped set up computers and equipments in the lab, and I am interested in analyzing time series and repeated measures data. More broadly, I am interested in utilizing my training in mathmatics and statistics to answer questions with important real-life implications. I enjoy playing with statistical computing software programs such as SAS and R. In my free time, I enjoy playing with my cat Mini, and going to a movie with friends.
	Jean Lin I am a sophomore in the School of Arts and Sciences Honors Program. Though my current intended majors are biological sciences and economics, I am still exploring the options and opportunities Rutgers University has to offer. I joined this project to further my knowledge on physiological and behavioral measures, partake in hands-on research, and utilize my skills outside of the classroom. In my free time, I enjoy being an active member of InterVarsity Multi-Ethnic Fellowship, playing tennis, strumming on the ukulele, and spending time with family and friends.
	Alex Puhalla  I am a junior at Rutgers University in the School of Arts and Sciences with a double major in psychology and philosophy. I joined the lab to further my knowledge in physiological responses and how they affect emotion. After college I plan on going to graduate school for either clinical psychology, or clinical neuropsychology.  In my free time I enjoy being an active member of my Improv Comedy troop and partaking in power lifting.
	Caressa Slocum I began work in the lab in June 2011 after receiving a B.A. from The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) in both Psychology and Communication Studies. I have an interest in alcohol use, stress, and emotion, and I wanted to further my understanding of these concepts, while gaining more research experience. In the future, I plan to go to graduate school for clinical psychology. In my free time, I enjoy watching movies, playing with my golden retrievers, and spending time with friends.
Alumni
	Chris Karner I graduated from Rutgers University with a B.A. in Psychology.  In the summer of 2011, I joined the Sensation & Emotion lab to further my understanding of the research process and gain experience in the field.  I am interested in emotion, particularly as it relates to depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.  I plan on pursuing graduate study in the future, most likely in clinical psychology.  Outside of the lab, I enjoy photography, camping, time with friends, and observing the behavior of domesticated household animals.
	Dan Rudel I joined the lab in August 2010 after receiving a B.A. from Hamilton College in sociology. My undergraduate thesis explored college drinking cultures, so I am interested in applying physiological research to further our understanding of the appeal of alcohol. This fall, I will begin graduate work toward a PhD in sociology at Indiana University, with specific interests in social psychology, the sociology of education, and alcohol studies. In my spare time, I enjoy rowing, listening to vinyl records, and cheering for the Boston Red Sox.
	Lyndsi Silberman I began my doctoral work in School Psychology at GSAPP in Fall 2010 after receiving my B.A. in Psychology, Sociology, and Political Science in May, 2010. I am interested in evidence based interventions and prevention programming in the public school systems, eating disorder prevention, and the ways in which depression is related to eating disorders and substance abuse. I began working in the Sensation & Emotion lab in November, 2010 to learn about physiological measures and enhance my background in research procedures. Outside of academia and professional training I enjoy running, ballet, and a good glass of wine!