Research
Research in the Psychology Department hinges on synergies across our three subfields, facilitated by our faculty’s methodological pluralism. Our research typically focuses on one of these subfields, while also pulling on other subfields or interdisciplinary integrations outside of the department and across the university.
Cognitive Psychology
Our research strengths in this area lie in the study of language, memory, and perception. Beyond addressing basic scientific questions in these areas, our faculty also consider real-world implications, like techniques for learning better in the classroom. We also focus on cross-disciplinary connections, for example, with biologists, computer scientists, and linguists. And we emphasize clinical applications, like treatment options for misophonia, schizophrenia, and other cognitive disorders.
Developmental Psychology
Our research in development psychology is distinguished by our approach to integrating individual, interpersonal, and cultural development processes. We emphasize understanding the lived experience of children, youth, and adults in their cultural communities. We study developmental processes in diverse communities and institutions, including families, friends, peer groups, schools, and children’s museums.
Social Psychology
We apply psychological theories and data to the analysis and solution of a wide range of social problems. Knowledge gained in action-oriented research leads, in turn, to the development of new theory. We examine justice-related issues in different cultural, political, and policy contexts through a variety of research methods. Our faculty and students are trained in laboratory, field, and survey methods and steeped in critical theoretical perspectives such as feminist theory. Researchers are encouraged to attend to issues of race, class, sexuality, ethnicity, gender, and physical ableness
In addition to these three main subfields, we also have deep expertise in quantitative methods for psychology and in research applications for clinical psychology. Overall, our research interests range from theoretical discovery to collaborations with the local community, national concerns, and international projects. Faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates work on individual research projects in their areas of specialization and collaborate across disciplines through affiliated research centers and initiatives.
