Midlothian resident contributes to Harvard research

2014 Nov 17

Christopher Deitrick, a senior psychology major at James Madison University, participated in a summer research project exploring Construal Level Theory at Harvard University.

Deitrick was one of 20 research assistants chosen to participate in the research lab on a volunteer basis. Thanks to Psi Chi, the psychology national honor society, he received a stipend to cover his expenses.

CLT is a social psychological theory that describes the relation between psychological distance and the extent to which people's thinking is abstract or concrete. The research Deitrick and his group worked on will contribute to scholarly publications in the field.

"The experience helped show me that -- with enough determination -- I could earn opportunities to do the work I love with great people in great places," Deitrick said, "and for a college student, that lesson couldn't be more valuable."

More information about Deitrick's experience can be found here.