Psychology

Psychology Department

LIFE AT CAMPUS_2022_PINELOPI_GERASIMOU-155

Mission

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and underlying mental phenomena. At The American College of Greece, our Psychology programs – both undergraduate and graduate – offer students a comprehensive education grounded in research and practical application. Students gain a deep understanding of human and animal behavior through rigorous scientific inquiry and develop the skills to apply psychological knowledge in real-world contexts to address human challenges. Our programs emphasize analytical and critical thinking, evidence-based approach, and the development of technical and interpersonal skills essential for professional success. Through a broad exploration of psychological theories, methods, and practices, students are well-prepared for advanced study and a wide array of career paths in psychology and related fields. Whether at the undergraduate or graduate level, our curriculum provides a strong foundation for lifelong learning, ethical practice, and impactful contributions to society.

Research Mission

The Psychology Department advances scientific knowledge through rigorous, innovative research across cognitive, clinical, developmental, social, and neuroscience domains. We generate evidence-based insights, promote real-world applications, and prepare students for postgraduate study and diverse career paths in psychology.

Research Vision

The Psychology Department promotes research that addresses key scientific and societal challenges through collaborative, interdisciplinary work. We prioritize excellence, innovation, and practical impact to generate knowledge that benefits communities locally and globally.

People

The Psychology Department faculty focuses on advancing knowledge through innovative research on human behavior, cognition, and emotion, preparing students for postgraduate training and diverse career opportunities while addressing societal challenges.

Research

The Psychology Department conducts advanced research in human behavior, cognition, and emotion, utilizing innovative, evidence-based methodologies to drive meaningful insights.

Key Research Areas Include:

All empirical research is conducted in the Psychology Network Lab (PsyNet Lab).
Cognitive Science & Neuroscience

Research in this group explores diverse areas within cognitive science and neuroscience using a variety of methodologies. Topics include the study of a broad spectrum of mental processes such as memory, language, attention, decision-making, and their neural underpinnings. Our interdisciplinary approach incorporates behavioral testing, neurophysiological measures (EEG, eye-tracking, facial tracking, galvanic skin response), and the integration of augmented and virtual reality technologies to deepen our understanding of these cognitive processes.

Neuro-Human-Computer Interaction (Neuro-HCI):
Examining the relationship between brain activity, cognitive processes, and XR environments.

Cognitive Training and Mental Health Interventions:
Developing XR
based tools for cognitive training and mental health interventions that utilize immersive environments to enhance cognitive functions, emotional resilience, and wellbeing.

Multimodal Data Integration in XR Systems:
By combining data from
multiple sourcesbrain activity, physiological responses, and behavioral datathe lab creates sophisticated models of human behavior in XR.

VR for Cognitive Assessment and Rehabilitation:
PsyNet Lab is actively developing VR tools for cognitive
assessments and rehabilitation programs for patients with cognitive impairments, such as traumatic brain injuries or neurodegenerative diseases.

Multitasking, attention, and creativity:
Examination of how common multitasking behaviors associated with a qualitatively different type of attention (breadth biased) show downstream effects on creativity.

Multitasking, polychronicity, and time perception:
Investigation of how multitasking activity and multitasking preference (polychronicity) are associated with altered time perception.

Relationship between language and thought:
Examination of how cognitive processes (memory, attention, decision making) are affected by the use of different languages (e.g., English vs. Greek vs. Greek sign language) and the use of a native vs. a second language, and the impact of typical vs. atypical language development.

Cognitive and Psychiatric Investigation in with the Spectrum of Mild Cognitive Impairment and Mild Dementia:
Evaluating cognitive functions and neuropsychiatric symptoms using neuropsychological assessments and behavioral testing.

Social Behavior & Personality

Research in this group explores the dynamic interplay between psychological and social processes and their impact on judgments, decision-making, and behavior. The group investigates key topics, such as attribution, mood and emotions, stereotyping, and prejudice. Significant topics are also explored in the realm of organizational & social psychology, with research focusing on employee well-being, equality, diversity, and inclusion, with a specific interest in the remaking of the contemporary world of work and employment due to AI and automation. Additionally, the group focuses on the validation and cultural adaptation of psychological instruments to ensure their validity, reliability, and cultural relevance in the Greek context.

Diversity, Inclusion, and Equality:
This area of research focuses on advancing diversity, equality, equity, and inclusion at the individual organizational, and societal level. We explore issues of opportunity, inequality, access, and inclusion related to gender, ethnicity, class, education, citizenship, disability, and sexual orientation.

Neural and affective components of social decision-making:
This research explores neural and psychophysiological markers in political and economic decisionmaking, examining responses to information, misinformation, and factors influencing credibility and sharing through survey, experimental, and electrophysiological methods.

Artificial Intelligence, Algorithmic Decision-Making, and Workplace Inequality: Examining the Impact on Marginalized Identities and Risks of Bias:
This research work aims to advance knowledge on the impact of AI and algorithmic decision-making on marginalized identities in organizations, and the risks of bias in algorithmic decision-making. It also examines how such technological developments in AI and algorithmic decision-making create new forms of social and economic inequality and exclusion for individuals with marginalized identities in the workplace.

Lifespan Development & Education

Research in this group explores how the brain and behavior evolve across the lifespan, with an emphasis on key developmental stages like early childhood, adolescence, aging, and the impact of developmental disorders. Additionally, the group conducts applied psychological research in educational contexts, ensuring that the findings are rigorous and accessible to both psychology and education professionals as well as the general public.

Artificial Intelligence in Education:
Investigation of the application of AI systems, including natural language processing, machine learning, chatbots, adaptive tutoring systems, and digital content automated assessment, to improve educational processes and outcomes related to learning, teaching, assessment, and administrative tasks.

Youth Digital Well-Being:
The intersections of contemporary technologies with the social and emotional lives of children and adolescents. Implications of growing up digital for mental health and well-being and children and adolescents’ digital and media literacy competencies.

Learning Differences:
Development of key academic skills (i.e., reading, writing, comprehension), in the assessment and remediation of learning disabilities (and comorbid disorders) in children and adults, and in instructional interventions and inclusion.

Adult Education:
Psychological mechanisms of learning and development, exploring opportunities for reskilling and upskilling strategies for diverse groups of professionals (academic, practitioners, educationalists, mental health professionals, psychotherapists, etc.), identifying modes of critical thinking enhancement, learner user experience, and transformational learning.

Clinical Psychology

This group conducts systematic research on clinically relevant issues, emphasizing the assessment and treatment of mental health conditions. Furthermore, the group focuses on important issues related to the training of mental health providers. This includes how to best develop and enhance the educational setting to optimally expose therapists in training to novel and innovative approaches within the clinical setting.

Diagnosis & Specific Clinical Intervention:
Better understanding of the lived experience of individuals with specific diagnoses (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, Deafness) and how clinical interventions can be improved to best serve the unique needs of these populations.

Training in Novel Clinical Settings:
Psychologists are being called more and more to deliver therapeutic interventions in settings outside of the traditional mental health settings. This work focuses on identifying ways to optimize how training is delivered and what new content and practical experiences are needed for therapists in training to best meet the needs of these novel settings.

Process Research in Psychotherapy:
Processes and mechanisms of change within psychotherapy are the driving factors that improve patients and create meaningful clinical change. This group focuses on identifying these processes and how to best achieve them in therapy.

Victims of Violence/Trauma Victims:
Capacity building in trauma-informed care for professionals working with trauma victims, comparison of f2f and AI-enabled training interventions; effectiveness of trauma-informed care in refugee populations; effectiveness of child abuse prevention interventions.

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS

Majors (Bachelor's Degree Programs)

BSc (Hons) in Psychology

Minors

Psychology

GRADUATE PROGRAMS

MS in Counseling Psychology & Psychotherapy

MA in Applied Child and Adolescent Psychology

MS in Organizational Psychology

GRADUATE CERTIFICATES & DIPLOMAS

Graduate Certificate in Psychology