Experimental psychology is a broad area that uses scientific methods to research behavioral processes. These psychologists work in a variety of settings including colleges and universities, research laboratories, government and private companies. Some of these professionals may focus on teaching while others strictly conduct research. With a degree in experimental psychology, graduates study the processes of learning, sensation, perception, motivation, memory, language, thinking and communication. They also research underlying behaviors such as eating, reading and problem solving.
Founders of Experimental Psychology: Wilhelm Wundt and William James
Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920) is known as "the father of experimental psychology." His first research and teaching laboratory was within the Philosophy Department at Leipzig, Germany. His first textbook was published in 1874. Wundt believed psychology was a branch of philosophy and applied his experimental methods of science to philosophical problems concerning the nature of mind and its metaphysical state. This analysis of the subject persisted in Germany until the Nazi era.
Wundt’s American contemporary, William James (1842-1910), took a similar view to Wundt. In his textbook, "The Principles of Psychology," published in 1890, James discusses psychological processes in general, and the role that imagery plays in them. He used experimental demonstrations while teaching psychology at Harvard, although his studies were never as popular as those of Wundt.
Methodology
The methodology used in experimental psychology involves the collection of reliable behavioral data. Tests are conducted under controlled conditions in order to study a particular psychological occurrence or to test hypotheses concerning that phenomenon. Experimental psychologists use a variety of different research methods and tools. They quite frequently conduct tests using lab animals. Experimentation includes:
- Randomly assigning participants to groups, operationally defining variables
- Developing a hypothesis
- Manipulating the independent variables
- Measuring the depending variables
- Using findings to inform diagnoses and treatments for various social, behavioral and emotional disorders
In 1945, a Division of Experimental Psychology was formed within the American Psychological Association to support and represent the interests and concerns of psychologists whose principal area of study or research lies within the field of general experimental psychology.
Education and career outlook
Experimental psychologists begin with an undergraduate degree in psychology. From there, they pursue a Master of Arts or Master of Science degree – an MA or MS – in experimental psychology or general psychology. Top experimental psychology schools include:
- University of California-Los Angeles
- Stanford University
- Yale University
- University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Master degrees in experimental psychology generally take two years to complete. Doctorate programs, or PhDs, can take three years or more. These programs provide students with the specialized training and knowledge to conduct research and experiments.
Courses include:
- Research design
- Methodology
- Statistical analysis
- Quantitative methods
Most experimental psychologists work in academic settings, where they teach courses supervising their students’ research in addition to working on their own. In addition, research institutions, laboratories and government also employ experimental psychologists. These workers earned mean annual wages of $72,540 in 2010 and can anticipate a projected employment growth rate of 12 percent.