Experimental Psychology, Social Psychology emphasis (PhD)

What is A Experimental Psychology, Social Psychology emphasis (PhD) Degree?

Psychology is the scientific study of human behavior and mental processing–the mind.  It’s a field that people really enjoy studying because what’s not to like about basically learning about you?!  The field has a very broad application, even though many people think it’s mainly about counseling people and helping them with their problems.  Psychology is a science—a young one compared to physics and chemistry—because it uses established research methods in its quest to understand why people behave and think the way they do.

Scientists who focus their attention on investigating basic processes of human and animal behavior and mental processing by doing experimental research often have a PhD degree in Experimental Psychology.  In a program that has a Social Psychology emphasis, students will focus on the behavior of groups and individuals in a social context, and they will take courses in self-concept structure, self-regulation, stereotyping and prejudice, social exclusion, racial and social identification, and attitudes.  They will also do their own research.  Many students who go this direction are preparing to be professors.  They conduct research studies under the guidance of their professors.  Most schools don’t offer an MS degree in Experimental Psychology, but you may be able to earn one on the way to the PhD.  Most applicants to this program will have a BS degree in Psychology when they apply.

The video below discusses a “typical” program, so it should help regardless of which school you are considering.