Experimental Program
Program Overview | Experimental Tracks | Experimental Faculty | Application Information
| The experimental program adopts a broad approach to the science of psychology by examining the biological, cognitive, developmental, social, and personality factors that affect behavior across the full range of the individual’s lifespan, providing an approach to psychology that extends “from the cradle to the grave.” There are four concentrations to choose from, all housed under the general experimental program: |
| Cognitive | Develop a strong theoretical understanding and research competence in the study of human cognition |
| Comparative-Neurobiology | Develop a strong theoretical understanding and research competence in the study of comparative psychology and/or neurobiology |
| Developmental | Gain a strong background in research design and statistics in addition to coursework in lifespan social and cognitive development |
| Social-Personality | Develop a strong theoretical and research competence in the field |
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All students are required to complete a master's thesis and doctoral research. Students are expected to participate in research activities throughout their graduate training. Research experience is complemented by course work in statistics and research methodology and design. All students also take a practicum course in the teaching of psychology, and most gain experience as instructors. In addition, students in the experimental program are encouraged to develop applied skills to enhance their job market potential. We offer a flexible curriculum, and encourage students to design a plan of study that fits their needs and goals. Experimental faculty works with you to achieve your goals, and all students are expected to earn their degrees. Students are funded through grants, assistantships, full out-of-state tuition waivers, and partial waivers of general fees. Click here to download the Graduate Student Handbook and Experimental Psychology Supplement for more information.
Due to COVID-19 considerations, GRE scores will not be required for those applying for 2023 fall admission. |
Charles I. Abramson, Ph.D.
Regents Professor Lawrence L. Boger Professor of International Studies
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Comparative psychology. Studies include mathematical models of the learning process, influence of agrochemicals and metals on learning, development of a social insect model of ethanol induced behavior, molecular mechanisms of learning, development of inquiry-based science activities, comparative analysis of behavior.
If you have an interest in working with Dr. Abramson, please contact him.
Amanda Baraldi, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor Arizona State University
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Missing data analyses, methods for assessing mediation, longitudinal growth modeling, and health and prevention research. Recent publications appear in Psychological Methods, Multivariate Behavioral Research, and Appetite.
Will NOT be reviewing Fall 2024 applications.
Jennifer Byrd-Craven, Ph.D.
Professor University of Missouri
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Psychobiology of the stress response including sex differences, developmental and life history factors, with a focus on female sociality as it relates to evolutionary psychology more broadly. Recent publications appear in Psychoneuroendocrinology, Physiology and Behavior, and Hormones & Behavior.
Will NOT be reviewing Fall 2024 applications.
Juliana E. French, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor Florida State University
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Biological and evolved mechanisms underlying romantic attraction, long-term relationship maintenance and dissolution, and intrasexual competition with a focus on modern environmental disruptions. Recent publications appear in Psychological Science and Evolution & Human Behavior.
Will be taking Fall 2024 applications.
James W. Grice, Ph.D.
Professor University of New Mexico
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Social-Personality Track. Observation Oriented Modeling, Quantitative Methods, Personality Theory, Psychology of Religion, and Idiographic Assessment of Personality. Recent publications appear in Advances in Methods and Practices in Psychological Science, Psychological Methods, Multivariate Behavioral Research, and the Journal of Personality.
Will NOT be reviewing Fall 2024 applications.
Sayuri Hayakawa, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor University of Chicago
Relationship between language, cognition, and behavior, with a particular focus on how bilingual co-activation and experience shapes judgment and choice. Recent publications appear in Cognition, Brain & Language, International Journal of Bilingualism, and Applied Linguistics.
Will be reviewing Fall 2024 applications.
Shelia M. Kennison, Ph.D.
Professor University of Massachusetts, Amherst
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Cognitive science with a broad focus including topics in cognition related the communication and social processes, especially those involving bilingualism and trilingualism. New research focuses on biological basis of behavior, especially involved in risk-taking in children and adults.
Will be reviewing Fall 2024 applications.
Amanda S. Morris, Ph.D.
Regents Professor George Kaiser Family Foundation
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Social and emotional development in children and adolescents, with a focus on risk and resilience processes and factors that influence early brain development and parent-child relationships. Recent publications appear in Child Development, Developmental Psychology, Development and Psychopathology, and American Psychologist.
Will NOT be reviewing Fall 2024 applications.
Celinda Reese-Melancon, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Director of Undergraduate Studies Associate Department Head
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Memory and memory aging, especially factors that influence prospective memory performance, metamemory, and collaborative cognition.
Will NOT be reviewing Fall 2024 applications.
Daniel Sznycer, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor University of California, Santa Barbara
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Social-Personality Track. Evolutionary–functional research on emotion, valuation, morality, and institutions. Recent publications appear in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Evolution & Human Behavior, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and Nature Human Behavior.
Will be reviewing Fall 2024 applications.
Dian Yu, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor University of Georgia
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Developmental psychology. Self-regulation in early childhood to adolescence among low-income racial-ethnical minority families using intensive longitudinal methods. Recent publications appear in Applied Developmental Science and Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology.
Will be reviewing Fall 2024 applications.
| The deadline for the Experimental Program is December 1st of each year. The Experimental Program expects prospective students to attend Interview Weekend held in February. Applicants will be notified by late December if they are to be invited. |
GRE Codes
Institution code: 6546
Department code: 2016
Due to COVID-19 considerations, GRE scores will not be required for those applying for 2023 fall admission.
Please apply using the new graduate college online application: https://grad.okstate.edu/apply/
For more information about the Experimental Program contact:
Jennifer Byrd-Craven, Ph.D.
Professor and Experimental Program Director
116 Psychology Building
Stillwater, OK 74078
Telephone: (405) 744-9449
jennifer.byrd.craven@okstate.edu