Research assistants in my lab help setup experiments, run participants, and code data. There is also the opportunity for you to run your own research project.
Most students register for course credit, but the biggest reason to work in the lab is the experience itself. You will get first hand knowledge of what it is like to do research, to be a graduate student, and you get the chance to interact with faculty members. If you are thinking of graduate school, one of the most important things to do is to run your own research. If you have that level of commitment, there are opportunities in the lab for you to run your own study. Beyond simply conducting your Honors or Senior Thesis, I have also had undergraduate student co-authors on publications, and present their work at conferences.
In addition to the experience of being around an active research lab, we also run a weekly meeting for all cognitive psychology research assistants. This meeting gives you a chance to learn more about current research in cognitive psychology, to hear about current and previous work done in the lab, and to get advice and insights on things like applying to graduate school.
Send me an email - benjamin.clegg@colostate.edu, telling me about your background and research interests. Include information like your GPA, any relevant courses you have taken, your future goals, and what your potential commitment to the lab would be (how much time week, how long you'd plan to be around).