Psychological and Brain Sciences - Social Psychology Concentration (PhD)

Program Educational Goals:

Overview: The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program in Social Psychology focuses on interpersonal, intergroup, motivation, and social cognitive processes. Our research explores a variety of topics including psychoneuroendocrinology, social attachment, health, stereotyping, prejudice and stigma, identity development and maintenance, motivation, impression formation, emotion, and social decision-making. We employ a variety of methodologies including social neuroscience (using electroencephalography, functional magnetic resonance imaging, and genetics), psychophysiological (e.g., electrocardiography, electromyography, and hormones), experimental, and big data techniques (e.g., social media). To learn more about the research interests of individual faculty.

By the end of the program, graduates will be able to:

1. Demonstrate broad expertise in domains of social-psychological processes and their implications for interdisciplinary research.

2. Generate original scientific knowledge and grow as an independent scholar.  Synthesize knowledge into novel scientific insights. Constructively critique scientific theories, hypotheses, non-experimental and/or experimental procedures, and results. Generate theoretically-grounded hypotheses, non-experimental and/or experimental designs, and results. 

3. Learn and apply the statistical and quantitative methods in service of their own research as well as their ability to critically review research in the literature.  This includes descriptive procedures for summarizing data, statistical procedures for performing inferential tests or computational modeling, open and transparent science practices, and development of informative data visualizations. 

4. Master oral and written scientific communication meant for a variety of audiences. Students should be able to write empirical manuscripts, literature reviews, journal peer reviews, and grant or fellowship applications. They should be able to tailor their written and verbal messaging to key audiences such as scientific conferences, grant and fellowship panels, peers, and mentees. 

5. Effectively implement experimental designs, and as appropriate, implement quasi-experimental, cross-sectional, or longitudinal designs. This includes the ability to collect, process, and manage data, as well as the ability to appropriately analyze and report outcomes within their area of methodological expertise.