Psychology
Psychology studies a person's mental functioning and behavior. Because mental functions are interacting with social, biological, and physical phenomena, psychology has intersections with several different disciplines. Psychological knowledge is applied, for example, in the social and educational sciences and in the technical sciences.
The degree program in Psychology trains psychologists for the wide range of needs of the public and private sectors. A person with a master’s degree in psychology can work as a licensed health care professional and use the title of psychologist. The education follows pan-European EUROPSY competence requirements. Psychologists work for municipalities and the state: in health centers, mental health offices, schools, hospitals, educational and family counseling centers, or employment and economic development offices. An increasing number of psychologists are also working in the private sector, for example as a practitioner, consultant, or educator. The employment situation for psychologists is very good.
Our research profile combines the following themes:
Social cognition and emotions
The research focuses on the perception of information relevant to social interaction and on the neural basis of social information processing. Specifically, the research is targeted on processes involved in perception of human faces and social behavior.
The research seeks to respond to how information emanated from other people (e.g., facial expressions, gaze direction, body posture, and perceived intentions) influences observers’ attention, emotion, and motivation and, on the other hand, how attention, emotions, and motivation modulate perception of social information. The functioning of these processes are studied in adults and in children at different stages of development. Research is also focused on the effects of social robots and their behavior on human perceivers.
The study also focuses on how neurobiological developmental disorders (autism spectrum disorder), biological developmental factors (e.g., quality of sleep), psychiatric disorders, rearing environment, and transitions during the course of life (e.g. pregnancy, becoming a parent, loneliness) affect perceptions of social information and self-regulation of emotions.
The research focuses on basic research conducted in the Human Information Processing Laboratory, but some of the research is also aimed at developing diagnostic and rehabilitation methods for impairments affecting social behavior. Our research methods include measurements of physiological responses (electroencephalography electromyography, heart rate, skin conductance responses) brain imaging (functional magnetic resonance imaging), eye movement recordings with eye-tracking systems, measurements of performance (e.g., reaction times) in computerized tasks, and observation of behavior (e.g., interaction between children and their parents).
Doctoral theses are supervised by the following persons (about the topics mentioned in the brackets). They can be contacted if you are planning to do your Ph.D. research in this area.
- Terhi Helminen (autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, development of social perception, psychophysiology)
- Jari Hietanen (emotion, facial expressions, gaze direction, psychophysiology, social cognition)
- Anneli Kylliäinen (autism spectrum disorder, development of social perception, psychophysiology)
- Mikko Peltola (psychophysiology, emotions, facial expressions, emotional development)
- Heini Saarimäki (emotions, interoception, social interaction, fMRI)
Learn more about our projects
Developmental psychology
Research on developmental psychology seeks to understand typical and atypical development of the human from the prenatal period up to adulthood considering individual and environmental factors as well as their interactions. The specific areas of study are diverse, and the research is conducted in several research groups.
Prospective national longitudinal studies combined with international collaboration open a possibility to study human development from conception until adulthood. The research focuses on individuals' psychological and biological factors (e.g., temperament, sleep, emotion regulation), family-related factors (e.g., parenting, parental mental health, and family environment), and wider social networks.
Research seeks to understand socioemotional, cognitive, and mental health development at different ages. Potential risk and resilience factors are studied in a wide range of typical and clinical high-risk populations (e.g., preterm cohorts, families with elevated risk for autism, immigrant- and out-home replaced youths, youth with social anxiety).
Research is also conducted using a variety of different laboratory designs, e.g., psychophysiological measurements, experimental designs, and observation. These studies revolve around the perception of information relevant to social interaction (e.g., perception of faces and eye gaze) and its neural basis, and elements of early child-parent interaction (e.g., body position and movement, touch, voice). Further, the focus is on the role of early social information processing on the development of empathy, attachment, and behavioral problems and autism spectrum disorder.
In addition, the impact of universal, preventive and focused programs and treatment are examined, e.g., among youths suffering from social anxiety and immigrant youths.
Doctoral theses are supervised by the following persons (about the topics mentioned in the brackets). They can be contacted if you are planning to do your Ph.D. research in this area.
- Kati Heinonen-Tuomaala (emotional, social and cognitive development, prenatal, early childhood, longitudinal, preterm, vitamin D, microbiomia)
- Mikko Peltola (emotional development, parenting, psychophysiology, attachment, empathy)
- Anneli Kylliäinen (sleep in socioemotional and cognitive development, development of self-regulation and social perception)
- Mervi Vänskä (emotional, social and cognitive development, prenatal period, mother-infant interaction, adolescence, longitudinal studies)
- Jallu Lindblom (emotion regulation, cognitive and emotional processes, family relationships, attachment, ecological momentary assessment, longitudinal studies)
- Terhi Helminen (autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, development of social perception, psychophysiology)
- Klaus Ranta (interventions for adolescents, social anxiety)
- Elina Vierikko
- Heini Saarimäki (development of emotion perception and experiences, fMRI)
Learn more about our projects
TransParent
Finnish Health and Early Life Microbiota (HELMi)
Recap preterm
Occupational psychology
Research in occupational psychology focuses on the study of various aspects of well-being at work from the occupational and organizational psychological frameworks. We do state-of art research that touches prevalent trends in society and work life.
One popular topic has been the study of work stress, in which we examine the effects of psychosocial load factors in work on well-being and health at work, considering changes in working life and society. In recent years, our studies have looked at specific workload factors such as work intensification, illegitimate tasks at work, job insecurity and working time. In addition, we explore how and what kind of resources and means of the organization help employees in stressful work situations.
Over the years, we have been examining, for example, recovery, sleep, job crafting, self-regulation strategies, stress management and personality characteristics from this point of view. One line of inquiry is the interaction between work and family/non-work, which we have studied both from the perspectives of individuals, organizations, and families. We have also collaborated with environmental psychologists in our research.
Methodically, we strive to conduct high-quality research, and often utilize longitudinal data sets and/or intervention designs as well as objective methods. We research extensively across different professional fields and organisations. We actively collaborate in research domestically, e.g., with the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health and other Finnish universities, as well as with several foreign universities. The main fundings agencies have been the Academy of Finland, the Finnish Work Environment Fund and the EU.
Doctoral theses are supervised by the following persons (about the topics mentioned in the brackets). They can be contacted if you are planning to do your Ph.D. research in this area.
- Saija Mauno (well-being at work, work motivation, job demands and resources, changes in working life, work-family interface, follow-up studies)
- Sampsa Puttonen (work stress, coping strategies, working time, recovery, health, field studies, individual and work organisation interventions, cohort studies)
Environment and well-being
Studies in environmental psychology have focused on showing that humans use physical environments - favourite places, in particular – to support psychic self-regulation. Thus, natural and urban environments connect to the regulation of one’s self-experience, emotions and stress. We investigate relations to well-being, i.e., the relationships of physical environments to mood, restorative experiences, vitality and recovery from work stress using psychological and physiological measurements. In the latter, we work together with researchers from the field of work and organizational psychology. Moreover, we carry out experimental research on the effects of environments and nature sounds on emotional and cognitive basic processes like emotions or attentiveness.
Doctoral theses are supervised by Professor Kalevi Korpela. Please, contact him if you are planning to do your Ph.D. research in this area.
Learn more about our research
Clinical psychology: research on psychotherapy, mental health and health psychology
The clinical psychology research area encompasses psychotherapy research, research on psychosocial interventions, mental health research and health psychology research.
Research on psychotherapy and psychosocial interventions focuses on the effectiveness of interventions targeted on psychological and mental health disorders, especially anxiety and depressive disorders. and on research on relevant cognitive, behavioural and contextual factors associated with development of psychopathology and psychotherapeutic interventions. A focus is on study of cognitive and behavioural therapies. We also study implementation of therapies in public services and do research on psychotherapy training and supervision.
The mental health research covers clinical and population study on risk and protective factors, clinical and contextual correlates of key mental health disorders in the population. Main focus is on research on anxiety disorders and depression, particularly in young people (i. e., adolescents and young adults). We use data from clinical samples and representative national and regional samples and cohorts.
Health psychology research focuses on how different problems, mental health disorders and ilnesses, which have a broad effect on quality of life, will impact reaction tendencies, life styles, life circumstances and social relationships of individuals, and vice versa. Our research covers this field from the perspective of psychophysiology, psychological interventions and behavioural medicine.
Doctoral theses are supervised by the professionals below. Please, contact them if you are planning to do your Ph.D. research in respective areas.
- Klaus Ranta (psychotherapy, interventions on anxiety and depressive disorders, clinical and population study of anxiety disorders)
- Martti T. Tuomisto (psychotherapy training, supervision and evaluation, health psychology)
Learn more about our research
Neuropsychology and rehabilitation
Neuropsychological research is focused on studying neuropsychological disorders and problems of neurological development in children, young people and adults.
Key areas of research include cognitive symptomatologies and changes in symptom patterns among people with a neurological disorder (e.g. cerebrovascular disorders, brain injuries, epilepsy), an attention deficit and autism spectrum disorder, sleep disorder or type II diabetes. The research is aimed at establishing the effects of cognitive symptoms on social functioning, quality of life, and the capacity to study and work.
Finding answers to these research questions typically requires long-term monitoring and follow-up. A major objective is to develop neuropsychological evaluation and rehabilitation methods with a view to improving social and health care services. The efficacy of neuropsychological rehabilitation is measured, among other things, by assessing the attentiveness of children and adolescents and by weighing the effects of group rehabilitation on social functioning.
One specialized centre for neuropsychological research is the Psychology clinic PSYKE.
Supervision for doctoral research is provided by the following persons in the subject areas listed. You may contact them directly for further information.
- Mervi Jehkonen (adult neuropsychology)
- Anneli Kylliäinen (developmental neuropsychology)
- Terhi Helminen (developmental neuropsychology)
The teaching of psychology covers the following areas:
- Developmental and personality psychology
- Psychology of health and mental health
- Cognitive neuroscience and clinical neuropsychology
- Work and organizational psychology
- Research methods in psychology
Bachelor's and Master's level studies are only available in Finnish and require fluency in the Finnish language. Doctoral education is available in English.
The doctoral education in psychology takes place in the doctoral program of psychology and logopaedics. The doctoral degree provides the ability to work in both academic (researcher, teacher) and other expert positions in society.
Specialization training in the field of psychology rely on a strong research and scientific base and are organized only by universities. Tampere University is responsible for specialization training in work and organizational psychology. The specialization training is intended for psychologists who have completed a master's degree in psychology and are licensed and working as a psychologist. The training is 70 credits and can be completed in 3 years in addition to the work.
Doctoral studies
Come and study in the Doctoral Programme in Psychology and Logopedics!
