How to become An Experimental Psychologist

What influences each individual’s behaviour? Does behaviour, in turn, have an impact on life’s experiences? Experimental Psychologists seek to answer such questions through their work. Dropping preconceptions, they seek the truth by experimenting and conducting basic and applied research on numerous behavioural aspects, such as sensation, perception, attention, memory, cognition, and emotion.

• Research Psychologist

What does an Experimental Psychologist do?

An Experimental Psychologist would typically need to:

• Use scientific methodology to design and conduct research experiments, which contribute to improving education, workplaces and child development
• Aggregate data through interviews, questionnaires, surveys, observations, focus groups, oral histories, and document & record analysis
• Conduct data analysis and evaluate it within the goals and objectives of the study
• Create programs such as peer group or individual sessions for children, adolescents and adults using therapeutic methods
• Assess and treat clients using methods such as eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT)
• Train professionals in EMDR, DBT and other psychotherapy methods; teach and supervise students or staff
• Work efficiently in a team environment and manage projects using organisational, interpersonal, communication and technical skills
• Disseminate information, ideas, procedures and project results to the stakeholders via published papers and other modes of public broadcasting
• Peer-review publications and presentations and conduct fieldwork to validate theories and inform research
• Attend academic conferences worldwide, read industry journals and keep abreast with the work of other professionals in your field
• Research the dynamic fields of psychology, such as motivation, attention, perceptual processes, thinking and learning, memory and genetics
• Supervise residential and non-residential drug programs and provide clinical services to residents
• Work in multidisciplinary teams that span diverse academic faculties and business functions 
• Assist in formulating new research proposals and applying for funding

As an Experimental Psychologist, you may either conduct independent research or be part of a bigger team, working alongside other psychologists and physicians, social workers, and other experts, providing comprehensive healthcare. You may find yourself working in various environments, depending on the field of your research.

Most Experimental Psychologists in academia, government or industries work full-time schedules, keeping regular business hours. You may need to work on evenings and weekends to meet clients who are busy during the week. Experimental Psychologists in a clinical setting may work evening or weekend shifts regularly.

Finding a new job might seem challenging. Experimental Psychologists can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting companies directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at staffing agencies. 

Experimental Psychologists are generally employed by:

• Clinical Research Organisations
• Pharmaceutical Companies
• National & Global Health-Related Charities
• Private Hospitals
• Research Councils & Associated Institutes
• Scientific & Technical Consultancies
• Universities

Professional associations and organisations, such as the International Union of Psychological Science (IUPsyS) and the International Association of Applied Psychology (IAAP), are crucial for experimental psychologists interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.

• Dealing with rigorous schedules, with research reading often extending into after-work hours
• Focusing on tedious details of analytical work and sorting large amounts of diverse information
• Finding your niche in an intensely competitive field 
• Completing quality research work within strict time limits
• Being responsible for significant decisions

Given that relevant work experience, paid or unpaid, contributes to your application for admission to a master’s degree program, it is a good idea to start building it up early. Voluntary work may help you earn enough experience to qualify you to apply for a paid job. You may apply to advertised openings or demonstrate initiative by sending speculative applications to prospective employers whom you have researched thoroughly and who match your area of interest.

Placements, internships, and volunteering allow you to network. They may also help you land a job as many employers recruit directly from internships and placements. Work experience also enables you to hone your data research, analysis, and interpersonal skills, which are essential to work as an Experimental Psychologist.

Aspiring Experimental Psychologists typically require at least a bachelor’s degree in psychology. You may then complete your master’s degree, specialising in areas such as educational or applied psychology. Before heading to a PhD, you may engage in research work in a lab or with other teams. Your interests will lead you to choose what type of research you wish to do and which topics to explore. You can expect to spend eight to ten years focusing on higher education for your career as an Experimental Psychologist.

Take mathematics courses in high school and develop your skills in collecting and analysing data.

Bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in experimental psychology train students to create studies, conduct empirical research and understand ethical issues in research. Therefore, the need for certification and licensure to work as an Experimental Psychologist is comparatively less than that for other fields of psychology. As experimental psychology is an analytical career, professionals in the area are not typically required to obtain licensing to conduct research. However, depending on your location, you may need to earn accreditation from a professional body.

The primary roles taken up by Experimental Psychologists are within academia and industrial research.

In academia, careers have clear and systematic levels of progression, with most psychologists aiming to become senior research fellows or professors who head research teams. Prerequisites for progress are the requisite experience, successful completion of research projects, and the publication of original and excellent research. Seniority typically implies increased responsibility, acquiring more funding, and added teaching, supervisory and administrative duties. 

Within your research career, you can apply your scientific knowledge to assess new concepts, products and technologies. You may progress into senior scientific research or management roles, which bring additional responsibilities, such as project management. You could also diversify into business development, production or regulatory functions.

There are also career roles within media and communications, although less common than academic and industrial psychology. Public understanding of science is a growth area, and journalists with scientific education have increasing job opportunities. With knowledge, time and experience, you can also become a Consultant. 

Candidates with a master’s degree in experimental psychology, along with research experience and analytical skills, have greater job prospects in this career.

Continuing professional development (CPD) will help an active Experimental Psychologist build personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, a professional activity, formal education, or self-directed learning.

CPD allows you to maintain good laboratory practices, maintain prescribed health & safety standards, apply risk assessment techniques and keep yourself up to date with the latest techniques and regulations.

Experimental Psychologists can expect support and additional training from the academic institution or from Vitae, a non-profit global leader with over 50 years of experience in enhancing the skills of researchers. In partnership with governments, funders of research, professional bodies, trusts & foundations, universities, and research institutes, Vitae offers training, resources, events, consultancy, and membership.

Why Become an Experimental Psychologist

Experimental psychology is interesting as it tests theories of human thoughts, feelings, and actions - it takes a deep look into what it means to be human. It uses scientific and analytical methods to arrive at conclusions beneficial to society.

The more famous branches of psychology, such as behavioural and cognitive psychology, are derived from experimental psychology, making it fascinating to learn as it gives you an insight into and appreciation of the many areas of psychology.

Wilhelm Wundt is considered the father of psychology, with his efforts to help the subject become a scientific method of learning rather than a philosophical approach. Coincidentally, he was also an Experimental Psychologist.

A full-time career in research psychology brings company-sponsored health benefits, insurance, and retirement plans. Experimental Psychologists have job security with a fixed, reliable source of income and guidance from their bosses. Typically, a career in experimental psychology is best pursued through full-time employment rather than freelance work.

A recently developed smartwatch aims to reduce brain stress by monitoring the wearer’s sweat and sending a “calm down” message.

The work of an Experimental Psychologist can be challenging - long hours, grunt work, and high amounts of numerical data and analytical projects will be a part of your career without a doubt. However, it is a career that is lucrative and enriching. The applicability of the research you do is vast and may include entertainment, business, health, politics and more - the world can be your oyster.

When majoring in psychology, opt for a Bachelor of Science degree rather than a Bachelor of Art. This way, you foster your technical and analytical skills while earning credits in mathematics, science and psychology, which can be helpful for entry into a master’s program in experimental psychology. Don’t sleep through your foundation lessons in psychology! They can be crucial to your career as what you learn can serve as the basis for future courses and professional research.