A distinguished Social Psychology faculty at UCLA; ancillary research facilities at the Center for Computer-Based Behavioral Studies, and the Institute for Social Science Research with its Survey Research Center; and an exciting natural laboratory in a large and growing metropolis: these are all available to the student wishing to specialize in social psychology. The faculty in social psychology represents an unusually broad and diverse set of interests, ranging from research on couples, political psychology, interpersonal relationships in hospitals and other bureaucratic organizations, to basic experimental work in attribution theory, attitude change, social cognition and group processes. Most of the faculty carry on research programs involving both basic experimental research and applied research in more naturalistic settings.
The social psychology program has developed concentrations in health psychology and political psychology. As part of the health program, a student can take relevant graduate seminars, learn about new health research through a speakers series, and participate in a practicum involving fieldwork in a health settings. The goal of the health psychology program is to prepare the student for research in an applied career in health and mental health applications of social psychology. As part of the political psychology program, students receive training in psychological research on political behavior, political communication, historical biography, and international relations.
Because of the great diversity of problems and methods in social psychology, students develop graduate programs with quite varied emphases. Broad familiarity with the field is gained through a two-quarter survey course during the first year of graduate work. Thereafter, the student is expected to focus on one or two special areas and their associated methods courses. These include social cognition and attribution, attitude formation and change, interpersonal relationships, group and intergroup behavior, social power and influence, political attitudes and behavior, and the psychology of gender. Typically, advanced students work out a program specifically tailored to their own interests and needs. Methodological training includes experimental design and procedures, survey research, field methods, laboratory and computer-simulation, and computer-aided content analysis. Students are encouraged to conduct research in both the laboratory and the field.
Minor programs are taken in other areas of psychology--such as cognitive, developmental, learning, personality, measurement, and mathematical psychology --or in related departments (principally Sociology and Political Science). The Institute for Social Science Research and UCLA computer facilities offer opportunities for specialized training and experience in their respective methods.
The active research programs of the faculty provide opportunities for students to become involved with ongoing research projects as part of their training. Informal meetings of the students and faculty in social psychology also enable students to become familiar with the various research and dissertation projects being conducted at UCLA and to discuss general scientific and professional issues with their colleagues. The student's perspective is further broadened through lectures and informal discussions with outstanding social psychologists from other universities and research organizations.