Did you know that MSU Psychology has six main areas of research? Since the field of psychology is broad, researchers typically pick an area or two to focus their research in. Our department organizes their expertise into six areas of research: Behavioral Neuroscience, Clinical Science, Cognition & Cognitive Neuroscience, Ecological / Community, Organizational, and Social / Personality.
While each area is unique, all of them are rooted in wanting to better understand human beings!
Take a look to see what research area may best align with your interests.
Behavioral Neuroscience
This research area looks at how behavior is shaped by the brain and other mental processes. Behavioral Neuroscience professors and grad students at MSU study how neurons, hormones, and genes affect behaviors such as addiction and relapse, eating, maternal parenting, circadian rhythms, and social play.
This area uses animal models to better understand what is happening in the brain. Their findings can lead to more informed clinical treatments!
Clinical Science
When people think of psychology, they often think of the field of Clinical Science. This area strives to further our understanding of mental health and inform prevention and treatment. Clinical Scientists may work with individuals through therapy, but they also do research that can affect large populations as well.
MSU Clinical Science faculty study things like emotion and cognition, interventions for children with autism, eating disorders, psychotic disorders, prenatal stress, factors that influence psychological traits, and more!
Cognition & Cognitive Neuroscience
This research area studies how human minds work.
CCN faculty investigate a wide range of topics within cognition and cognitive neuroscience including perception, attention, memory, language, music, executive processes, expertise, and decision making.
They use behavioral and neuroscience methodologies including computation modeling, eye tracking, electroencephalography (EEG), functional magnetic resonance imaging, motion tracking, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), pupillometry, and more! They also have a state-of-the-art sleep laboratory!
Ecological / Community Psychology
Community psychology works to make a difference in the lives of people in their communities by combining research and action. It’s an interdisciplinary and global field that draws on psychology, sociology, public health, and other fields.
MSU faculty are experts in researching gender-based violence, health equity and parity, implementation science, and LGBTQ+ health, mental health, and wellbeing.
Organizational Psychology
Organizational psychologists offer scientifically based solutions to human problems in the workplace.
Organizational psychologists at MSU study employee recruitment and hiring, diverse work teams, bias and workplace discrimination, career exploration assessments, team leadership, occupational health and safety, AI and technology, and more!
Our PhD program has consistently been ranked in the top two doctoral programs in the field of Organizational Psychology. And this year, we’re launching an online master’s degree program!
Social / Personality Psychology
This research area works to understand human social behavior and personality development. Researchers study how thoughts, feelings, beliefs, traits, and behaviors interact on individual, relationship, and group levels. They strive to uncover what drives human behavior and enhance our understanding of how people interact with each other.
MSU researchers study a wide range of topics like aggression, belief systems, child-free adults, life satisfaction, relationships, personality genomics, social networks, and well-being.
Curious about getting involved in PSY research?
Graduate students are encouraged to learn more about our graduate programs here. We’re currently accepting applications for the 2025/26 academic year!
Undergraduate students, explore research opportunities here!