Texas Tech University

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The social area in the Department of Psychological Sciences at Texas Tech University houses research labs directed by Jessica Alquist, Zachary Hohman, Annie Jung, and Amelia Talley. Our labs study attitudes and persuasion, self-control, group processes, interpersonal and intergroup relations, collective action, social cognition, and self and identity, with a strong emphasis on practical applications of research. 

The social area, including its faculty and students, is committed to rigorous research exemplified by active publishing in high impact journals and presenting in academic conferences and meetings. Our faculty have also been successful in receiving grants from the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and the Binational Science Foundation to name a few. 

As an area, we are a collaborative and supportive group. We emphasize teamwork and foster collaborations across our labs and with other departments at Texas Tech to produce cutting-edge and interdisciplinary research. To learn more about us and how you can connect, check out our faculty profiles. 

The Social Psychology program is committed to Lewin's maxim that there is nothing so practical as a good theory. Thus, there is an emphasis on basic research and theoretical development at the same time that social psychological theories are applied to research in areas such as clinical and counseling psychology, law, public opinion, and politics. Likewise, it is believed that rigorous training in methodology will prepare students to grapple with basic and applied problems that will emerge in the future.

The research emphases of the program cover a broad spectrum of topics in social psychology, including social cognition and attitudes, group processes, interpersonal process, and close relationships. The emphasis on social cognition is consistent with the contemporary state of the field of social psychology, but at Texas Tech it is well-balanced by strong interests in relationships and groups.