PhD in Psychological Science - Social and Personality Psychology in Irvine United States | University of California Irvine

The Department of Psychological Science focuses on studying human behavior throughout different life stages and diverse environments. Faculty members collaborate across disciplines to enhance knowledge about factors influencing health, wellness, and human performance across developmental, social, cultural, and environmental settings. They prioritize research with practical applications for societal challenges. Undergraduate students start with foundational courses in developmental psychology, health psychology, abnormal psychology, and social psychology. Advanced coursework explores subjects like lifespan development from childhood to aging, psychological disorders, therapeutic approaches, cultural and personality impacts on behavior, cognitive processes, emotional regulation, health psychology, stress management, environmental influences, and forensic psychology. Students can participate in faculty-led research projects, gaining hands-on experience that strengthens graduate school applications.
Social and personality psychology research examines evidence-based approaches to significant societal concerns across age groups. Faculty investigate diverse areas including cognitive processes in social judgments, emotional influences on thinking and recall, life satisfaction, cultural perspectives on identity, personal agency, psychological resilience, relationship dynamics, coping with adversity, risk assessment, and legal psychology.