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The social-personality psychology specialization was initially established at Oklahoma State University in 1967 by Mark MacNeil, who studied under renowned social psychologist Muzafer Sherif. This discipline focuses on scientifically investigating how individuals perceive themselves and others, examining the interplay between social contexts and personal traits across diverse areas like prejudice, motivation, aggression, conformity, group dynamics, and social cognition. The graduate program's primary objective is to cultivate robust theoretical understanding and research skills, equipping students for successful careers in academia or research. Social-personality psychology graduate students collaborate closely with faculty mentors on current studies spanning motivation, self-regulation, prejudice, persuasion, social cognition, personality evaluation, and awareness of mortality.
Our program has produced many doctoral graduates who have pursued academic positions at institutions nationwide (including Kansas State University and University of Central Arkansas), undertaken postdoctoral fellowships (such as at University of Maryland), or entered research roles in government agencies and private sector organizations.