Experimental Psychology

Experimental Faculty Profiles

John Blanchar - Social and Political Psychology Lab

The Social and Political Psychology (S&PP) Lab at the University of Minnesota Duluth investigates the psychological bases of political attitudes and behavior. Topics of study include why people are attracted to left-wing and right-wing political ideologies, the psychology of tradition and social change, voting preferences and behavior, and how and why people sort into politically like-minded networks and enclaves and the consequences this has for polarization, intolerance, stress and well-being, and shared social reality. Undergraduates and prospective graduate students are encouraged to contact Dr. Blanchar ([email protected]) about opportunities to get involved in lab research. 

Rebecca Gilbertson - Neurocognitive and Emotion Lab (NC Lab)

The primary research focus of the Neurocognitive and Emotion Lab is to understand health-related factors that influence neurocognitive function including substance use, abuse, and dependence (particularly alcohol).  Non-substance use disorders (“behavioral addiction”) and physiological response to stressors are emerging topics of study in the lab.  Given the complexity of brain change (primarily in the domains of attention and working memory), a variety of techniques are used including traditional computerized cognitive batteries, physiological and electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings, eye tracking and pencil/paper neuropsychological measures.  Lab members also assist with neuroscience outreach to middle and high school students. For more information, visit the NCLab website.

Madeline Harms - The Learning, Emotion, and Development (LEAD) Lab

The Learning, Emotion, and Development (LEAD) lab at UMD examines the intersection of cognitive and emotional development.  A major focus of our work is investigating how various forms of stress affect the ways in which children, adolescents, and adults learn and process information. Our research involves diverse populations and methods, including in-person and online studies, computerized tasks, surveys, and interviews. Recently, we have also been involved in a collaborative project examining how instructors utilize inclusive pedagogical strategies in Introductory Psychology, and their effects on student learning. This study uses a community-based participatory research approach. Our lab values diversity in the background and perspectives of our lab members, and we work hard to create an environment where all lab members feel respected, valued, and safe. Opportunities exist for both undergraduate and graduate students who have interests in developmental or educational psychology. If you are interested in joining the LEAD lab, please contact Dr. Madeline Harms ([email protected]).

Eric Hessler

Dr. Hessler has advised students on research projects covering motor control, coordination and learning, ecological psychology-perception/action, nonlinear dynamics and complexity, and interpersonal and team coordination. If you would like to learn more about Dr. Hessler's research and advising, you can contact him at [email protected].

Bob Lloyd

Dr. Lloyd has advised students on research projects involving physiological psychology of emotions and species-specific behavior, statistics, experimental design, electrophysiology, neurochemistry, and neuroendocrinology. If you're interested in learning more about Dr. Lloyd's research and advising, you can contact him at [email protected].

Ashley Thompson - Sexuality and Relationship Science Lab

The primary research focus of the Sexuality and Relationship Science Lab is to understand people’s attitudes, judgments, and motives related to sexuality, intimacy, and romantic relationships. This is often done by applying social and cognitive psychological theories and testing them experimentally using sophisticated quantitative techniques.

Mentored Research Project

Experimental Psychology students receive one-on-one mentorship from their faculty advisor to help them design and conduct an independent research project (6-credits; PSY 8099 Research Project in Psychology Plan B). The project may be empirical research or a meta-analysis aligned with the faculty advisor's area of expertise. A committee of the student's choosing will provide feedback on the oral and written project proposal and final completed project. The caliber of these projects is such that graduates who go on to doctoral programs have had their final papers accepted in fulfillment of master's thesis requirements, and some graduates have published their research findings in peer-reviewed journals. 

Additional Research Opportunities

Most students are involved in multiple research projects with faculty. These opportunities might involve the acquisition of new technical skills relevant to the student's career goals (e.g., EEG), experience applying statistical methods, and leadership skill development through the management of labs or coordination of studies. Motivated students often contribute to projects resulting in co-authorship on conference presentations, publications, and other scholarly works.

Resources for Research Success

• State-of-the-art shared psychophysiology laboratory
• Each research lab has a dedicated space for research
• Funding opportunities for research expenses and travel to present findings at conferences
• Professional writing consultation services
• Regular (typically weekly) meetings with a faculty advisor
   

Course Descriptions

PSY 5021 - Advanced Developmental Psychology (3 cr) Course format involves reading and discussion of reviews and journal articles about theories, research methodology, and topics central to the scientific study of human development from conception through adulthood. The role of theory as a guide for research and practice, and classical as well as contemporary theories will be examined. Normative changes and individual differences will be examined. Theoretical frameworks in the domains of social, cognitive, language, and temperament/personality development will be examined.

PSY 5024 - Principles of Psychometrics (3 cr) Concepts, issues, and statistical procedures for evaluating the reliability and validity of psychological measures.

PSY 5052 - Advanced Statistics I (3 cr) Advanced statistics used for experimental and correlational research in psychology; analyze data from simple and complex research designs analysis of variance and linear regression techniques; hypothesis testing; nonparametric statistics; assumptions of tests and diagnosis of assumption violations; interpretations of results; use of common statistical software (e.g., SPSS or R).

PSY 5121 - Psychopathology Over the Lifespan (3 cr) Psychopathology from integrative biopsychosocial and developmental psychopathology perspectives; adult and child psychopathologies including symptomatology, prevalence, etiological evidence, typical course and prognosis, associated features, cultural and social considerations, comorbidity and differential diagnosis.

PSY 5130 - Evolutionary Psychology (3 cr) Evolution and the theory of natural selection as it applies to behavioral processes, e.g., survival, mating strategies, parenting and family, cooperation and conflict.

PSY 5131 - Mind-Body (3 cr) Examination of interface between biological and psychological development associated with risks for substance abuse, depression, and conduct disorders; potential commonality of mechanisms. Topics may include communication between brain and endocrine systems, evolution of the brain, homosexuality, psychoneuroimmunology, and psychopharmacology.

PSY 5401 - Advanced Social Psychology (3 cr) Examination of core content areas and topics within experimental social psychology with a focus on application within both clinical and industrial/organizational psychology. Topics include attitude formation and attitude change, attribution theory, the self, conformity, prejudice, aggression, and prosocial behavior.

PSY 5550 - Health Psychology (3 cr) Concepts, issues, and methods of health psychology; health maintenance and illness prevention integrating biological, psychological, and social factors; utilization of health behavior change strategies and psychological assessments; and interdisciplinary aspects of health psychology.

PSY 5621 - Cognition & Emotion (3 cr) Students in this course will read and discuss scholarly reviews and journal articles on theories, research methodology, and topics central to the scientific study of human cognition, emotion, and their applications. There will be discussions on the models of cognitive (perception, memory, language, thinking, and reasoning) and emotional processes and their interrelatedness. Consideration will be given to how these contemporary models are developed and evaluated through empirical studies. Finally, how these theoretical models can be applied to educational, clinical, legal, and workplace settings will be examined.

PSY 5631 - Biological Bases of Behavior (3 cr) Understanding how communication within the body (neuronal, endocrinological, immunological) affects behavior and psychological processes and how these systems interact to influence these processes. Examining how perturbations within these systems lead to mental illness and/or problematic behaviors. How psychoactive drugs affect these systems, with respect to clinical treatment and abuse. The neurological mechanisms of reward and drug dependence (withdrawal, cravings) will be investigated.

PSY 5821 - Cognitive Neuroscience (3 cr) Overview of cognitive neuroscience including neuroanatomy, the neural basis of mental functions, cognitive neuroscience methods, application to psychopathology, development, social cognition, and addiction.

PSY 8021 - Research Methods and Evaluation (3 cr) Examination of quasi-experimental and experimental designs within psychological science. The course will provide comprehensive coverage of the assessment of reliability and validity of measures, methods, and research designs to facilitate the development of a research proposal. A wide variety of quantitative and qualitative research designs, measurement techniques, and methods will be described and evaluated in terms of internal, external, construct, and statistical conclusion validity.

PSY 8052 - Advanced Statistics II (3 cr) Advanced statistics used for experimental and correlational research in psychology; analyze data using advanced univariate, basic multivariate, and meta-analytic techniques; assumptions of test; diagnosis of assumption violations; interpretation of results; use of common statistical software (e.g., SPSS or R).

PSY 8099 - Research Project in Psychology (6 cr) This course provides a capstone experience for students to integrate all they have learned in order to produce scholarly work. Under the guidance of a faculty advisor, students will plan, design, conduct, and present an original project.

PSY 8103 - Introduction to Graduate Studies (0 cr) This course will orient new students to key facets of graduate studies in the Master's in Psychological Science Program. Program expectations, requirements, and timelines will be clarified to enable students to make progress in formulating goals in their chosen tracks. This course will provide students with a basis for academic collaboration and professional development by facilitating student interactions with peers and the faculty in psychology.

Example Schedule

Fall, First Year

PSY 5631 - Biological Bases of Behavior (3 cr.)
PSY 8021 - Research Methods and Evaluation (3 cr.)
PSY 8103 - Introduction to Graduate Studies in Psychology (0 cr.)
Elective (3 cr.) 

Spring, First Year

PSY 5052 - Advanced Statistics I (3 cr.)
PSY 5401 - Advanced Social Psychology (3 cr.)
Elective (3 cr.)

Fall, Second Year

PSY 5621 - Cognition & Emotion (3 cr.)
PSY 8052 - Advanced Statistics II (3 cr.)
PSY 8099 - Research Project in Psychology (Plan B) (3 cr.)

Spring, Second Year

PSY 5021 - Advanced Developmental Psychology (3 cr.)
PSY 8099 - Research Project in Psychology (Plan B) (3 cr.)
Elective (3 cr.)

Example Electives: 

• PSY 5024 - Principles of Psychometrics
• PSY 5121 - Psychopathology
• PSY 5130 - Mind-Body Connection
• PSY 5131 - Evolutionary Psychology
• PSY 5155 - Forensic Psychology
• PSY 5301 - Political Psychology
• PSY 5550 - Health Psychology
• PSY 5621 - Cognition and Emotion
• PSY 5821 - Cognitive Neuroscience
• Online courses from the Twin Cities campus certificate program for Human Sexuality or Transgender and Gender Diverse Health

Students interested in psychophysiology have the opportunity to conduct research with State-of-the-Art Psychophysiology Lab equipment.

• Electroencephalogram (EEG)
• Event-related potential (ERP)
• Integrated 32-channel active electrode EEG & Electrocardiogram (ECG) for simultaneous brain, heart, respiration, finger pulse, galvanic skin response, and startle-blink EMG
• Eye tracking equipment both desktop and ambulatory (Tobii Pro and ASL EYE-TRAC 7)
• Biopac Lab hardware & software for biological data

Beyond the research lab, Experimental Psychology students and faculty bring their knowledge and skills to contribute to the community. For example, engagement through:

• News outlets: Northern News Now (CBS): Echo Chamber: The Psychology Behind Political Discussions Across Party Lines
   
• Podcasts:
   

Signs of Being Cheated On
The Science of Kissing
Can One Partner Give You Everything?

Educating middle schoolers about neuroscience.
 

• State and local fairs