We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Education

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

How Do I Become an Experimental Psychologist?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 3,274
Share

Usually a college degree is necessary to become an experimental psychologist, and a post-graduate degree like a master’s or a doctorate is typically preferred. Along with formal education, specialists in this field need supervised clinical experience, much of which may take place in college and university. With sufficient training and experience, it may be possible to start designing studies and taking a lead role in experiments. It can also be helpful to join a professional organization to have access to conferences, trade publications, and other professional resources.

Experimental psychologists conduct research to learn more about human psychology and develop appropriate treatments for people with mental health conditions. Subject areas can range from studying crowds to add to the body of knowledge about group behaviors to individual research on gender roles in relationships. Members of this field design, coordinate, and analyze research activities like staged experiments, surveys, and look-back research where they review existing documentation to collect data.

A college degree in psychology is usually required, although the degree does not need to focus on research or experimental psychology. Many programs in fields like social and abnormal psychology offer opportunities to conduct research and may provide the necessary clinical experience to become an experimental psychologist. It can help to attend an undergraduate institution with a strong reputation in this field to use as a springboard for graduate school applications. Acquiring internship and research experience as an undergraduate may bolster a graduate application.

When in graduate school to become an experimental psychologist, students have an opportunity to participate in research. This can include ongoing research by advisers as well as new projects developed by students. As students develop their own areas of interest, they can develop and initiate studies under supervision. These can lead to clinical experience as well as journal publications, which can be helpful for someone on track to become an experimental psychologist. Education can also include workshops in working responsibly with human subjects, ethical concerns in psychology, and related topics.

A graduate with a degree and experience can apply into job openings to become an experimental psychologist. Universities and colleges may make positions available. It’s also possible to work for nonprofit research institutions and private companies, depending on the type of work a psychologist is interested in. Someone who studies responses to advertisements and pop culture, for example, might work for an advertising firm, while an expert in workplace psychology might find a position with a job placement firm or the military.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGeek researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/how-do-i-become-an-experimental-psychologist.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.