Michigan State University Department of Psychology


Center for Gender in Global Context	The Center for Gender in Global Context (GenCen), in International Studies and Programs (ISP), draws together the strengths of the program in Women, Gender, and Social Justice (WGSJ) in the College of Arts and Letters (CAL) and the College of Social Science (SSC) and the Gender, Development and Globalization Program (GDG) in ISP. These programs have historically looked at gender in the US and in international contexts, respectively. The new center emphasizes women and gender in a global context, with distinctive new programs promoting teaching, research, and outreach relevant to 21st century concerns.
Center for Neurodevelopmental Study	Using cognitive models to understand causes of risky behavior / Experience-based decision making / Cognitive Architecture of judgment and decision making
Cognitive Imaging Research Center (CIRC)	Due to the joint efforts of the Departments of Psychology and Radiology, and support from the University, the Cognitive Imaging Research Center (CIRC) was created to expand human imaging science research and to promote the use of modern imaging methods in basic science and clinical investigations of the brain at Michigan State University.
Consortium for Multicultural Psychology Research	Our primary mission is to generate and apply psychological science to increase our understanding of multicultural issues in both domestic and international contexts.
Human Development Initiative	The Human Development Initiative is a community of scholars throughout the university interested in development across the lifespan. The initiative is focused on cutting-edge research involving genetics, neuroscience, and psychosocial development and how these different factors intersect.
Michigan State University Twin Registry	In sum, the MSUTR research will allow for better understanding of the environmental, genetic and neurobiological factors that influence psychological functioning and behavior. Our research will aid in the identification of the origins of internalizing and externalizing symptoms, ultimately informing treatment and prevention efforts.
MSU Mother Infant Study	The study is focused on understanding the influences of domestic violence on the lives of women and children. Half of our original sample experienced some level of abuse from their partners (from mild to severe) and half served as the control group. Over time, however, some women have moved into and some out of abusive relationships. We are interested in what creates conditions of risk and resilience for these women and children. We also study how women's parenting and mental health as well as the social and psychological adjustment of their children are affected by various levels of hardship posed by domestic violence and other life circumstances.
Personality and Psychopathology Lab	Research in the MSU Personality and Psychopathology Lab focuses on how personality and psychopathology relate to one another, how both relate to behavior and adaptivity, and how variables from each of these domains can best be conceptualized and measured in clinical assessment.
The Autism Lab	In typical development, social-communication skills emerge in a predictable pattern, with nonverbal skills, such as imitation and joint attention, preceding language development and theory of mind. In autism, these early, non-verbal social-communication skills are significantly impaired. Children with autism also experience delayed or deviant language and social-emotional development. We are interested in understanding the role that early non-verbal, social-communication deficits play in development of later emerging language and social impairments.
Violence Against Women	The Violence Against Women Research and Outreach Initiative is a multidisciplinary group of faculty at Michigan State University committed to engaging in community-based, collaborative research and evaluation that is highly rigorous while also having significant practice and policy implications at local, state, national and international levels.

Center for Gender in Global Context

The Center for Gender in Global Context (GenCen), in International Studies and Programs (ISP), draws together the strengths of the program in Women, Gender, and Social Justice (WGSJ) in the College of Arts and Letters (CAL) and the College of Social Science (SSC) and the Gender, Development and Globalization Program (GDG) in ISP. These programs have historically looked at gender in the US and in international contexts, respectively. The new center emphasizes women and gender in a global context, with distinctive new programs promoting teaching, research, and outreach relevant to 21st century concerns.

Center for Neurodevelopmental Study

Using cognitive models to understand causes of risky behavior / Experience-based decision making / Cognitive Architecture of judgment and decision making

Cognitive Imaging Research Center (CIRC)

Due to the joint efforts of the Departments of Psychology and Radiology, and support from the University, the Cognitive Imaging Research Center (CIRC) was created to expand human imaging science research and to promote the use of modern imaging methods in basic science and clinical investigations of the brain at Michigan State University.

Consortium for Multicultural Psychology Research

Our primary mission is to generate and apply psychological science to increase our understanding of multicultural issues in both domestic and international contexts.

Human Development Initiative

The Human Development Initiative is a community of scholars throughout the university interested in development across the lifespan. The initiative is focused on cutting-edge research involving genetics, neuroscience, and psychosocial development and how these different factors intersect.

Michigan State University Twin Registry

In sum, the MSUTR research will allow for better understanding of the environmental, genetic and neurobiological factors that influence psychological functioning and behavior. Our research will aid in the identification of the origins of internalizing and externalizing symptoms, ultimately informing treatment and prevention efforts.

MSU Mother Infant Study

The study is focused on understanding the influences of domestic violence on the lives of women and children. Half of our original sample experienced some level of abuse from their partners (from mild to severe) and half served as the control group. Over time, however, some women have moved into and some out of abusive relationships. We are interested in what creates conditions of risk and resilience for these women and children. We also study how women's parenting and mental health as well as the social and psychological adjustment of their children are affected by various levels of hardship posed by domestic violence and other life circumstances.

Personality and Psychopathology Lab

Research in the MSU Personality and Psychopathology Lab focuses on how personality and psychopathology relate to one another, how both relate to behavior and adaptivity, and how variables from each of these domains can best be conceptualized and measured in clinical assessment.

The Autism Lab

In typical development, social-communication skills emerge in a predictable pattern, with nonverbal skills, such as imitation and joint attention, preceding language development and theory of mind. In autism, these early, non-verbal social-communication skills are significantly impaired. Children with autism also experience delayed or deviant language and social-emotional development. We are interested in understanding the role that early non-verbal, social-communication deficits play in development of later emerging language and social impairments.

Violence Against Women

The Violence Against Women Research and Outreach Initiative is a multidisciplinary group of faculty at Michigan State University committed to engaging in community-based, collaborative research and evaluation that is highly rigorous while also having significant practice and policy implications at local, state, national and international levels.

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