The primary research interests of the University of Houston’s graduate program in Social Psychology are currently concentrated around Health Behavior and Close Relationships. Our research on health behavior includes the prevention of substance abuse and other risk behaviors among adolescents, as well as stress and its effects on the immune system. Research on relationships examines the beliefs, cognition, and communication in and about close personal relationships. The program emphasizes the application of social psychological theories, methods, and concepts to research in real life settings and important social issues.

Faculty members in the program have continually received support from both federal (e.g., NIH) and local agencies. Recent graduates of the doctoral program have received appointments at a number of university and research organizations such as: Michigan State University, State University of New York at Buffalo, University of Alabama, University of California at Santa Cruz, Duke University, Texas Youth Commission, Texas Department of Human Resources, Wayne State University, Stanford University, California State University at Sacramento, Baylor College of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, University of Arizona, and the University of Wisconsin. Students working in the areas of health behavior or close relationships are prepared for positions in university departments and federally funded research organizations.

Read more about the graduate program at the Social Psychology website.