Frequently Asked Questions About CapLab

      (updated 8/31/2009)

General CapLab Information

Q: What is CapLab?

A: CapLab is the nickname for the “Comparative Cognition Laboratory,” which is directed by Professor Laurie Santos.

Q: What do you study in CapLab?

A: We study lots of different topics in CapLab, but most of our research explores the question of what makes human cognition unique.  To get at this, we study our closest living primate relatives.  For more on the species we study, check out our webpage.

Q: Where is the lab located?

A: The lab is located at Yale Medical School.  More details about its location and how to get there will be disclosed when you are approved to work with the monkeys.

How Do I Get Involved?

Q: Can undergrads at Yale work in CapLab?

A: Yes! Each semester a number of Yale undergraduates work directly on projects with the monkeys.  Many stick around the lab for multiple semesters, and some even design projects in the lab for their senior essay.

Q: Are there prerequisites for working in CapLab?

A: No.  Although it’s somewhat helpful if you’ve taken previous courses in cognitive science or psychology, these are not required for working in the lab.

Q: I’m just a freshman.  Can I still join the lab?

A: Sure, as long as you’re willing to put in the required time, we’re happy to have you on-board.

Q: I’m not a psychology or cognitive science major.  Can I still join the lab?

A: Sure. Again, as long as you’re willing to put in the required time and are excited about the questions we ask, we’re happy to have you on-board.

Q: Is there a wait-list to get involved in CapLab?

A: It depends.  We, of course, have to limit the number of people who can work with the monkeys, but usually we have enough spaces in the lab for interested students.  First priority is given to returning students (i.e., those who worked in the lab previously).  If too many students are interested, we will perform a lottery after students have officially signed up at the first lab meeting.

Q: How much of a time commitment is CapLab?

A.  You must commit to working at least eight hours per week.  This will involve six hours per week (three 2-hour blocks of time) working in lab with the monkeys, plus two hours per week of coding and video analysis.  If you don’t have this much time to commit per week, please think carefully about whether this is the right semester to join the lab.

Q: What does working in the CapLab involve?

A. In lab, you’ll work with the monkeys on a single experiment or project.  Each project is aimed at exploring a particular question with the monkeys.  Each project is run by a team of 3-4 students, and is headed by a lab “Project Head,” usually a grad student or more advanced undergrad that has been working in the lab for some time.  Your job in lab will be to become part of one of these teams, and then to design, run and analyze data on one of the lab’s ongoing projects. We have a number of exciting projects taking place right now— ones examining the monkeys’ understanding of causality, theory of mind, social cognition, and even economic behavior.  During the first lab meeting of the year, you’ll be introduced to all the different ongoing projects and will get to choose one that fits your interests and your schedule. 

Q: What will my schedule be if I work in CapLab? Can I work any time?

A: Our schedules are based on the monkeys’ schedules.  The monkeys’ day begins at 8:30am and continues until 7pm, and they participate in studies seven days per week.  During the day, the monkeys work on different projects at different times, with each project block meeting for about two hours each day (So the first block would meet from 8:30am-10:15am, the next from 10am to 12:15, and so on).  During the semester, you will work on three of these blocks per week. 

Q: How will I know what the schedule of the different projects are?

A: We figure out the schedule just before the first week of classes (usually based on the Project Heads’ schedules).  We’ll have the full lab schedule available for you at the first lab meeting, which is when you’ll pick your preferred blocks and projects.

Q: Do I have to take the lab for class credit?

A: Yes!  As explained above, the lab requires a large time commitment.  In past years, we’ve found that students are more likely to commit to the lab (and get more out of it) when they take the lab for class credit.  Thus, all students participating in the lab during the semester should be doing it for some form of class credit.

Q:  How do I take the class for credit?

A:  There are three different ways to take the lab for credit.  The first is to enroll in PSYC 371a, a class aimed at teaching you research methods for working with primates.  In 2008-2009, this class will be offered in the fall.  If you have not yet taken PSYC 371, you are required to take it during the first semester that you work in the lab.  The second way to take the lab for credit (if you have already taken PSYC 371) is to enroll in a directed research class with Professor Santos.  You can enroll in the Psychology Department directed research course (fall: PSYC 492a, spring: PSYC 493b), the Cognitive Science Department directed research course (fall: CGSC 471a, spring: CGSC 472b), or the E&EB directed research course (fall: EEB 475a, spring: EEB 475b).  Your requirements for these directed research classes is the same and will include: eight hours working in lab per week, participation at the weekly lab meeting, and a final paper (8-10 pages long).  You should choose whichever directed research course corresponds to your major.  For more information about directed research courses for psychology majors, click here.

To download the Psychology Directed Research Tutorial Form (which you should bring to the first lab meeting) click here.  For more information about directed research courses in cognitive science, click here. To download the Cognitive Science Directed Research Tutorial Form (which you should bring to the first lab meeting) click here. For more information about directed research courses for E&EB majors, click here.  The third way to take the lab for credit is to enroll in PSYC 775, a graduate-level course that counts as a half-course instead of a full course (Note this option is only recommended if you have a very full course schedule and have consulted with Professor Santos).

Q: Where/when is lab meeting this fall?

A: Lab meetings will take place Mondays at 7pm in SSS 201.  Lab meeting attendance is mandatory. The first meeting will be September 14th.  Also, please note that the first lab meeting of the year is REALLY important, as this is when we go over the possible projects and fill out the lab schedule.

Getting Set To Join CapLab

Q:  Is there anything you’d recommend reading to get started in the lab?

A:  First, you should check out  some of the lab’s recent papers.  All papers are available on our publications page. These papers will give you the best idea of our ongoing projects.

Second, you should consider learning more about our subjects, capuchin monkeys.  There is information available on our website about this species’ natural behavior, but we also recommend checking out the following book: The Complete Capuchin: The Biology of the Genus Cebus.

Q: What else do I need to begin working with primates at Yale?

A: Getting accessed to work with primates at Yale is a long process, one that we will explain in detail before the first lab meeting.  However, if you’re planning to get started in the fall, there are a number of training steps you can complete on your own.

First, you’ll need to take an animal training course, which is available online to Yale affiliates.  Go online to: http://www.yale.edu/training.  Click on the “Animal Care and Use” link, and then click on the “All Animal Handlers: Mandatory Training” course. Login with your NetID and password. Then take the course. It’ll take about an hour. Note that you’ll have a test afterwards that will be graded.  When you are done taking the course, copy and paste your test results in an email to Professor Santos. 

Second, you’ll need to take a training course specifically relevant to working with primates.  This hour-long course will take place during the first week of classes.  More details will be available at the first lab meeting of the semester. 

Third, you’ll need to become medically-cleared to work with animals at Yale.  The first step is to obtain a TB test.  To do this, go to the Innoculations Department at YUHS and ask for a TB test. Once you have gotten the test planted and you will need to have the test read two days later.  Once this step is complete, you’ll need to apply for medical clearance.  Fill out the medical health form.Fill it out completely or else it will not be processed. Somewhere on the form, you must  add the date that you received your TB test (this info won’t be on the form, just add it in so that YUHS knows that you got a recent TB test). Then take the completed form to the Department of Employee Health at YUHS, 2 Hillhouse Ave. In 48 hours, check to see if you were cleared.  To do this, go to http://www.yale.edu/training.  Login with your NetID and password.  The click on the “My Training Information” link. If you are medically cleared, you should see a green checkmark next to “Medical Surveillance for Animal Handlers” in the requirements list.  If you still have a red X there, then you are not cleared.  If you have turned in the paperwork, then you can contact the YUHS Employee Health department (2-0071) directly to see what went wrong with the processing of your form.

Once you join the lab, we will explain other steps you need to take to begin working in the capuchin lab.

Need to Know More?

Q:  Thanks for all this information, but I still have a few more questions.

A:  Email Professor Santos for more information.