Concentration in Social Psychology

Overview

The Social Psychology specialization at the University of South Florida is a research-based training program leading to the Ph.D. degree. We are part of a larger experimental psychology area, CNS (Cognition, Neuroscience, and Social). The primary aim of the specialization is to train social psychologists who will excel in research careers in academic or other settings. Our faculty has expertise in a variety of experimental and correlational methodologies which provides opportunities for building strong theoretical and methodological foundations in social psychology and related fields (including health and developmental psychology).

The social being is a product of cultural and developmental forces, and the social context has a profound impact on health and well-being. Our goal is to expose graduate students to all of these perspectives, as reflected in the diverse research interests of our faculty.

A unique aspect of our training program is the opportunity students have to learn about the interplay of cognition, neuroscience, and social and developmental psychology through coursework and weekly research presentations. All students must complete a minimum number of graduate courses selected from a flexible curriculum. However, the bulk of a student's education comes from hands-on experience in designing and conducting research.

The program emphasizes close student-faculty interactions. Individualized programs of study, coordinated jointly between the student and members of his or her graduate committee, permit flexibility in constructing a graduate experience that fits the student's goals and interests. During the first year, students complete foundation courses in Social as well as Cognitive and/or Physiological, and courses in statistics and methodology. In subsequent years, students select more specialized content and methodology courses and seminars related to their areas of research specialization.

Kristen, Tiina, Jamie, Jennifer, & Joe

 

Core Faculty

• Jennifer Bosson - Self-threats, self-esteem, adherence to and violation of social role norms, gender, homophobia
• Jamie Goldenberg - Terror management theory, the body and sex, objectification of women, health applications
• Tiina Ojanen - social cognitive and affective processes involved in the development of aggression, social withdrawn behaviors, and social adjustment among peers; social goals and motivation
• Kristen Salomon - Social/health psychology, cardiovascular psychophysiology, ethnic discrimination and cardiovascular disease
• Joe Vandello - Cultural psychology, conflict and violence, race, manhood, social perceptions of disadvantaged groups

 

Affiliated Faculty

• Marcia Finkelstein - Prosocial behavior, volunteerism, organizational citizenship
• Mark Goldman - Expectancies and alcohol use
• Tad Herzog (Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology, College of Medicine) - Motivational factors influencing smoking cessation
• Jon Rottenberg - Emotion & social functioning
• William Sacco - Psychosocial aspects of health, social-cognition in interpersonal relationships
• Sandra Schneider - Judgment and decision making, framing
• Kevin Thompson - Social factors contributing to body image & eating disorders

 

Application Information

The social psychology concentration is currently accepting applications for the Ph.D. program. Individuals who are interested should apply to the graduate program in CNS and note on their application that they would like their emphasis to be in the area of social psychology (click here for application materials). Applications for domestic students are due by January 15th and for international students by January 2nd.