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Josie Dykstra ’05 (Doylestown, Pa.) didn’t let her choice of major stand in the way of doing innovative research in a different field this summer.
A government and law major with a minor in English, Dykstra jumped disciplines to collaborate with John Shaw, associate professor and assistant head of psychology. Together they will co-author a chapter entitled “The Relationship Between Eyewitness Confidence and Eyewitness Accuracy” in a forthcoming book on eyewitness memory.
“Josie is helping me co-author a book chapter that describes the factors that can affect the relationship between eyewitness confidence and eyewitness accuracy,” explains Shaw.
They are working together through Lafayette’s distinctive EXCEL Scholars program, in which students collaborate with faculty on research while earning a stipend. Many of the 180 students who participate each year go on to publish papers in scholarly journals and/or present their research at conferences.
“The chapter will be structured around the three phases of the eyewitness experience, and it will incorporate an applied perspective in identifying the social and cognitive factors that can affect eyewitness confidence and its relationship to eyewitness accuracy,” says Shaw. “After an introduction to the importance of the topic (citing both anecdotal and experimental evidence concerning the weight that jurors and others give to eyewitness confidence), we will provide a brief historical review of the early work on eyewitness confidence.”
He adds, “This is really an interesting collaboration, because Josie is not a psychology major. Her interests and skills are in law and writing. As a former lawyer, I’m interested in how psychology relates to law, and she’s really helped enrich this experience.”
“I’ve been pulling together and sifting through about two hundred articles for this chapter,” says Dykstra. “My duties include searching reference databases for studies on eyewitness confidence, reading and summarizing studies relevant to the chapter, and, of course, writing and editing the chapter.”
Dykstra is struck both by the opportunity to co-author an academic work and the chance to work outside of her chosen field of study.
“It’s really unique that I’m doing this project as a government and law major,” she says. “The psychology aspect of the project was very interesting. I’m also thrilled that I get to do this kind of in-depth research and also receive an author credit even though I’m only a sophomore. There aren’t even many graduate students in large universities who have a chance to do what I’m doing.”
Dykstra has been particularly pleased by the mentoring she has received from her adviser.
“I decided to do this EXCEL work after taking a class with Professor Shaw,” she says. “He’s been incredibly helpful and inspirational. He takes extra time with me, and it’s really a privilege to work with him.”
Dykstra, who is considering going on to law school, credits her mentor with sharing his experience in the legal profession.
“Professor Shaw was once a DA, and he has been really helpful in telling me what to expect in law,” she says.
She adds, “I love Lafayette. There are so many opportunities for students here. My EXCEL project is an example of what students can accomplish and experience if they stretch their boundaries. Lafayette encourages that kind of creative thinking and initiative.”
Dykstra has made dean’s list every semester and is an admissions tour guide, a resident adviser, and a member of Student Government, where she is chair of community affairs. She also participates in Alternative School Break and is captain of the Dance Team.