Faculty members and graduate students in the Social Psychology area conduct basic and applied research on social processes relevant to human thought, emotion, and behavior. Research strategies range from tightly controlled laboratory experiments to large-scale field studies.

The principal aim of graduate training in social psychology is to develop a strong theoretical and research competence in the field; the ultimate goal is to prepare students for productive careers in research and/or teaching. Graduate students in the social psychology area work in a close mentoring relationship with a social psychology faculty member. Research by faculty members includes work in self-concept, self-regulation, power, interpersonal expectancy effects, stigma, social comparison processes, social emotions, social exclusion and acceptance, self-regulatory depletion, evolutionary psychology, interpersonal power, prejudice and stereotyping, eyewitness testimony, and jury decision-making. Opportunities also exist to work with faculty in other departments on campus such as Behavioral Science, Political Science, Management, and Marketing.

Click here for the social psychology graduate students handbook.

Core Faculty Members

•     DeWall, C. Nathan, Florida State University, 2007; Assistant Professor.
•     Harris, Monica, Harvard University, 1987; Associate Professor.
•     Kim, Sung Hee, Tufts University, 1991; Associate Professor.
•     Smith, Richard, University of North Carolina, 1985; Associate Professor.
•     Brown, Christia, University of Texas, 2003; Assistant Professor.

Faculty Members with Related Interests

•     Berger, Philip (Martin School of Public Policy and Administration), Texas Christian University, 1969; Professor Emeritus.
•     Giancola, Peter, University of Georgia, 1996; Associate Professor.
•     Golding, Jonathan, University of Denver, 1986; Professor.
•     Milich, Richard, Washington University, 1976; Professor.
•     Segerstrom, Suzanne, C., UCLA, 1997; Associate Professor.