Breaking barriers in psychological science

Study the science behind behavior and cognition, learning and memory, and personality and emotion. Develop research skills and prepare for success in any walk of life.

Why Iowa?

Iowa has been at the forefront of psychological research and training for a century, and we still lead today. Our students learn about the field in the classroom and laboratory, and out in the community, developing skills that help them stand out among their peers.

Undergraduate Programs

Explore emerging discoveries in psychology and neuroscience. Learn the keys to working effectively with people in any career.

Undergraduate Programs

Graduate Programs

Our research-focused PhD program is led by faculty mentors who are shaping their disciplines. Prepare for your career in a collaborative, inclusive, and supportive environment.

Graduate Programs

Faculty

Our faculty are leaders and innovators in their fields. They collaborate across the university and beyond, expanding scientific and educational frontiers and attracting substantial research support and scholarly recognition.

Faculty

Profiles and Research

The department's commitment to research excellence is matched by a commitment to providing outstanding research and professional training for undergraduates, graduate students, and postdocs.

The close link between artificial intelligence and reinforcement learning in pigeons is no flight of fancy

An MIT Technology Review article about the history of AI highlights Ed Wasserman's research on pigeon cognition.

PBS researchers receive NSF funding to understand how speech perception relates to reading and language skills

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Bob McMurray, professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences receives funding to further understand how children and adults hear and distinguish speech sounds.

Paras Bassuk named UI’s 23rd Rhodes Scholar

The University of Iowa is uniquely known for being a place where art meets science, where students are encouraged to explore and innovate across these disciplines. Paras Bassuk, UI’s newest Rhodes Scholar, personifies exactly what that means — and more.

Self Driving Cars & Crosswalks

NSF News Video
With an estimated 3.5 million self-driving vehicles expected on America’s roads by next year, University of Iowa researchers are investigating how to make crossing the road safe, especially for children.

CLAS PBS professor receives NIH grant to research how to improve lifeguard training using virtual reality

Cathleen Moore, professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, will use the funds from the National Institutes of Health to develop techniques to make pools safer.

News and Announcements

PBS faculty member seeks to understand how memories evolve within the brain

Monday, November 17, 2025
Isabel Muzzio, professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, wants to answer how memories are stored, whether they can modified, and what sustains them over time.

CLAS PBS faculty member piloting intervention program with VA for rural veterans with cardiovascular disease

Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Emily Thomas, clinical associate professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, has been piloting an online behavioral health tool for two years, geared towards rural Veterans with cardiovascular disease.

PBS student gains internship experience abroad this summer

Wednesday, September 10, 2025
Lucy Hernandez, a psychology major stepped far outside her comfort zone to complete an internship in Japan, gaining professional experience while immersing in a new culture.

"I have been mentored by exemplary professors who are understanding and lead with empathy and care. Entering this program is something I will never regret or forget!"

- Maddie Port

Upcoming Events

Spence Lecture: Lisa Feldman Barrett

Friday, December 12, 2025 3:30pm to 5:00pm
Psychological and Brain Sciences Building

The Spence Lecture Series honors the legacy of Kenneth W. Spence, prominent learning theorist and chair of the department from 1942-1964. This series, which is supported by the Iowa Neuroscience Institute, brings leaders in the field of behavioral neuroscience to our campus each year.

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett as this year's Spence Lecturer. Lisa Feldman Barrett is a university distinguished professor at Northeastern University with appointments at the Massachusetts...

DeLTA Center Colloquium: Sophia Choukas-Bradley

Thursday, January 29, 2026 3:30pm to 5:00pm
University Capitol Centre

Dr. Choukas-Bradley is an Associate Professor at The University of Pittsburgh in the Department of Psychology

Interests: interpersonal and sociocultural influences on the mental health and wellbeing of adolescents and emerging adults (ages 11–24).

Presentation title and abstract to come.

Sophia’s Bio Page: https://www.psychology.pitt.edu/people/sophia-choukas-bradley-phd

DeLTA Center Roundtable discussion: Sophia Choukas-Bradley

Friday, January 30, 2026 9:00am to 10:30am
University Capitol Centre

The DeLTA Center Roundtable Discussion is an event in which DeLTA expands the interdisciplinary research community by promoting reciprocal interactions between basic and applied researchers. These events showcase presenters from a wide variety of academic disciplines and an open discussion about implications of the presenter's ideas across fields of study and research.

Dr. Choukas-Bradley is an Associate Professor at The University of Pittsburgh in the Department of Psychology

Interests...

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6

Faculty Elected AAAS Fellows

11ドルM+

in Annual research Funding

130+

undergraduates doing research in our labs

1500+

Undergraduate majors in psychology and neuroscience

80+

doctoral students in psychology and neuroscience