Research in our Developmental, Social, and Health (DSH) program includes a range of topics and methodologies. Students will focus on one or multiple tracks of either (a) Developmental, (b) Social, or (c) Health Psychology. Students’ specific track (or tracks) will be determined in consultation with their research advisor. 

Within the DSH program:

Research addresses cognitive developmental psychology, such as cognitive development and education (see the work of Dr. Sidney, Developmental Psychology); executive functions, motivation, and schooling (Dr. Kim, Developmental Psychology); and narrative comprehension, social problem solving, and ADHD (Dr. Lorch, Developmental Psychology).  

Research addresses children within families, such as LGBTQ parent and adoptive families, child development, and parent socialization (Dr. Farr, Developmental Psychology) and the role of addiction in families, child socioemotional development, and sleep health (Dr. Keller, Developmental Psychology).

Research addresses developmental psychopathology, such as pathways to disruptive behavior disorders and ADHD (Dr. Martel, Clinical Psychology). 

Within DSH, research also addresses topics related to prejudice and bias. Research focuses on children, such as the development of stereotypes and children's experiences with gender and ethnic discrimination (Dr. Brown, Developmental Psychology, Social Psychology); and adults, such as racism, prejudice, and coping with racism (Dr. Marshburn, Social Psychology). Moreover, this research addresses solutions for reducing prejudice and discrimination, as well as individual differences in reactions to societal change (Dr. Armenta, Social Psychology), and how stereotypes and prejudice influence the formation, longevity, and usage of first impressions (Dr. Bray, Social Psychology).

Research addresses psychology and the law, such as factors related to jury decision-making (Dr. Golding, Social Psychology).

Finally, research addresses health psychology topics, such as stress, emotion, and health processes (Dr. Leger, Health Psychology); personality, self-regulation, and health (Dr. Segerstrom, Clinical Psychology); cancer survivorship and smoking cessation (Dr. Burris, Clinical Psychology).

Please also see the Psychology Department website for several additional faculty affiliated with our Developmental, Social, and Health program who hold joint appointments (e.g., Dr. Jenn Hunt) in our department. There are also several faculty in our program listed in our department faculty directory who are on phased retirement (Dr. Bhatt, Dr. Smith, Dr. Carlson).

Note: Several of the above faculty are also affiliated with the Clinical Psychology program of the Psychology Department. To be clear, the Developmental, Social, and Health program PhD students are not pursuing training and requirements to become clinical psychologists. If you are interested in receiving clinical training, you would need to apply specifically to the Clinical Psychology program.