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  • More
    • Home
    • About the Lab
    • Suicide Awareness
    • Members & Collaborators
    • Study with Us
    • Undergraduate Research
    • Dr. Harvell-Bowman
    • Merch
    • Media Relations
  • Home
  • About the Lab
  • Suicide Awareness
  • Members & Collaborators
  • Study with Us
  • Undergraduate Research
  • Dr. Harvell-Bowman
  • Merch
  • Media Relations

how to get involved in undergraduate research

How we engage our undergraduate research assistants

Our Approach

Our undergraduate students are an integral piece to our research team. Our students are trained in experimental and qualitative methodologies while engaging in cutting-edge research through an existential lens. Our undergraduates regularly: 


  • independently run laboratory experiments
  • independently conduct interviews with clinical populations
  • help plan advocacy events with the university and surrounding community
  • engage in media interviews
  • independently host a podcast
  • present research at local, regional, national, and international conferences
  • publish research

Receiving course credit for lab membership

Students wishing to receive course credit for participation in the Terror Management Laboratory can currently receive credit in the Department of Psychology and the School of Communication Studies. 


PSYC 203 or PSYC 403 (1-3 credit hours) 


SCOM 390A or SCOM 318 (1-3 credit hours) 



Students interested in participating in the laboratory must contact Dr. Harvell-Bowman to schedule an interview. Contact Info: Harve2La@jmu.edu 

Receiving Honors Credit

Terror Management Lab has a strong history of directing honor's theses. Students in the laboratory may work with Dr. Harvell-Bowman on their honor's capstone in the School of Communication Studies and the Department of Psychology. 


Some examples of work that has been completed in the laboratory: 


"The effects of Caregiving Robots on Mortality Salience with the Elderly" (Psychology)


"Political Polarization and Terror Management Theory: How Death Anxiety Deepens the Divide Between Liberals and Conservatives (or does it?)"  (Psychology)


"Too Much Television?: Does Watching Political Ads Influence If and How People Vote?" (Communication Studies) 


"Life After Cults: Implications for Meaning, Death Thought Accessibility, & Religion" (Psychology)


"TMT and First Responders: Heroic Acts & the Role of Mortality Salience"  (Psychology) 

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