Focal areas of research
The research profile of psychology at the University of Münster is divided into two central thematic areas comprising a total of eight main topics:
- Dynamic human systems with a focus on cognitive neural systems, dynamic motor systems and dynamic social systems
- Social responsibility with a focus on mental and physical health, teaching and learning in the educational context, performance and expertise, social cohesion and integration and the technification of living environments
The first focuses more strongly on psychological fundamentals while the second is more application oriented. However, this does not imply a conventional delineation between both, e.g. theorical vs. applied research or natural scientific vs. social scientific research. For example, the structural systems perspective offers excellent concepts and methods for the analysis of human experience and behavior in the various socially relevant subject areas. Conversely, the topics addressed in the field of social responsibility offer complex issues and application contexts for validating systems-oriented methods and models. These synergies are reflected, among other things, in the fact that most professors of psychology deal with several focus areas and are very often involved in both topics.
Dynamic human systems
The area of dynamic human systems addresses the underlying processes of complex human experience and behavior, and thus forms the basis for predicting and changing health, social, and occupational adaptations, decisions and performance. The focus is on three conceptually and methodologically complementary topics.
These areas cover a broad spectrum of psychological research both with regard to content and the spectrum of methods, which range from neurophysiological and brain imaging examination procedures to laboratory- and field-based behavioral investigation and mathematical modelling. The phenomena under consideration are understood as the result of dynamic, nested human systems. The interactions of the components involved in each case generate emergent results at a higher system level and are in turn influenced by them.
Cognitive neural systems
Research in cognitive neuroscience is shaped by current methodological developments in various research fields (imaging techniques, use of artificial neural networks and digital intelligence etc.) and thus touches on research questions in the fields of medicine, psychology, biology, sport and exercise science, mathematics, and computer science. Innovative neuroscientific research approaches consequently require the cooperation of different research areas. One research goal of psychology is the computer-aided modeling of the neuronal processes underlying human cognitive abilities, e.g. while we perceive external stimuli and respond accordingly. For this purpose, realistic mathematical models based on biological models are applied with special emphasis on the dynamics of predictive processes. Although anticipatory processes have long been highly valued in psychological theories, theoretical and empirical research results across different domains are still poorly integrated.
Here, we aim to employ a domain-integrating research program to identify functional predictive hierarchies of action observation, language comprehension and the perception of social interaction. Furthermore, identifying predictive principles can help us understand interpersonal differences and possible impairments of predictive performance in the context of neuropsychiatric diseases. In addition, research projects within the DFG research group Constructing scenarios of the past: A new framework in episodic memory (FOR 2812) investigate the properties, cognitive mechanisms and functions of episodic memory in different social contexts.
Working units currently involved in this area:
Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience (Prof. Dr. Markus Lappe)
Experimental Psychology (Prof. Dr. Niko Busch)
Biological Psychology (Prof. Dr. Ricarda Schubotz)
Social Psychology (Prof. Dr. Gerald Echterhoff)
Dynamic motor systems
The research in this area aims to establish an internationally recognized center by networking existing working units in both Institutes of Psychology (FB 7). In particular, the collaboration between experimental psychology, biological psychology and sport and exercise science provides an excellent foundation for this endeavor. These working units already work closely together on projects conducted at the Otto Creutzfeldt Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience (OCC). They are also members of the Center of Nonlinear Science (CeNoS) and are an integral part of the Neural Systems Potential Area at the University of Münster. A major strength is the broad range of scientific methods available in the department, including imaging techniques (research MRI, MEG), eye-tracking measurements and modern neural networks from the field of artificial intelligence.
Key areas for future research include neurophysiological correlates of motor control, lifespan plasticity and modeling of motor processes. The “Gait Real-Time Analysis Interactive Lab” (GRAIL) is a central research facility in our institute with which we investigate neuromotor and neurocognitive processes under realistic conditions in virtual worlds. This is of particular interest for the description, explanation and prediction of age-related changes as well as for the development of theory-based therapeutic approaches.
Working units currently involved in this area:
Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience (Prof. Dr. Markus Lappe)
Experimental Psychology (Prof. Dr. Niko Busch)
Biological Psychology (Prof. Dr. Ricarda Schubotz)
Dynamic social systems
In this area, the focus lies on analysing social interaction and self-regulation processes at all relevant system levels (individual, dyad, group). This includes research on the development and dynamics of:
- individual characteristics, e.g. personality, socio-emotional and self-regulatory skills, school- and/or work-related skills
- perception and action in social contexts
- psychopathologies, e.g. of mental disorders as a consequence of social comparison processes
- symmetrical (friendships, partnerships, collegial relationships) and asymmetrical social relationships (parent-child, supervisor-employee, teacher-student, therapist-client)
- groups and teams, e.g. temporal development of synergetic effects in work teams
- organizations, e.g. the influence of leadership or rule changes on individual and group behavior, change management
- shared reality in dyads and groups, cognitive and motivational effects of communication, interpersonal relationships and intergroup relations
In addition to these substantive projects, collaborative developments are pursued at the methodological level to adequately measure and analyze processes in dynamic social systems. This includes the joint development of digital methods for ambulatory data collection and intervention, as well as the interdisciplinary advancement of statistical methods for modeling dynamic processes. This entails the study of social networking models, time series models, as well as the analysis of intra-individual variability and longitudinal data. The overarching goal in this area is to integrate dynamic theories and methods into specific research questions and to investigate longitudinal transitions between different system levels in an interdisciplinary manner.
Working units currently involved in this area:
Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience (Prof. Dr. Markus Lappe)
Biological Psychology (Prof. Dr. Ricarda Schubotz)
Developmental Psychology (Prof. Dr. Joscha Kärtner)
Clinical Psychology und Psychotherapy (Prof. Dr. Ulrike Buhlmann)
Clinical Psychology und Psychotherapy (Prof. Dr. Nexhmedin Morina)
Organizational and Business Psychology (Prof. Dr. Guido Hertel)
Educational Psychology (Prof. Dr. Carola Grunschel)
Psychological Assessment and Personality Psychology (Prof. Dr. Mitja Back)
Social Psychology (Prof. Dr. Gerald Echterhoff)
Statistics & Psychological Methods (Prof. Dr. Steffen Nestler)
Social responsibility
The second thematic area in the research profile of psychology at the University of Münster involves addressing current social challenges and developing appropriate solutions. Central fields of action and key topics include:
Mental and physical health
One of the primary goals of psychology is to promote, maintain and restore mental and physical well-being. Clinical psychology, for example, focuses on the causes and effects of specific behavioral problems, mental disorders and psychological aspects of physical illness. It also places great emphasis on the prevention and treatment of mental disorders. To this end, our Psychotherapy Outpatient Clinic (PTA) provides an excellent platform for the study of psychopathology and psychological interventions.
The field of developmental psychology complements this approach by focusing primarily on early childhood development and providing developmental guidance and support. In addition, psychological diagnostics and personality psychology seek to predict individual differences in well-being and to personalize interventions accordingly.
Another important pillar in this area is educational psychology in conjunction with work, organizational and business psychology which focus on stress, psychological distress, well-being and health promotion in the context of education and work.In order to adequately address the complex and diverse aspects of human health in its entirety (mental and physical), we also closely collaborate with the Faculty of Medicine (FB 5) of the University of Münster and the University Hospital Münster.
Working units currently involved in this area:
Developmental Psychology (Prof. Dr. Joscha Kärtner)
Clinical Psychology (Prof. Dr. Ulrike Buhlmann)
Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy (Prof. Dr. Nexhmedin Morina)
Work Psychology (Prof. Dr. Carmen Binnewies)
Organizational and Business Psychology (Prof. Dr. Guido Hertel)
Educational Psychology (Prof. Dr. Carola Grunschel)
Psychological Assessment and Personality Psychology (Prof. Dr. Mitja Back)
Teaching and learning in educational contexts
The study of teaching and learning in educational contexts is one of a variety of psychological disciplines. This research includes interdisciplinary questions about learning, implications for instructional processes, diagnostic strategies and methods for learning states and progress, as well as ways to digitally design and support teaching and learning processes.
The research in this area is strongly influenced by the structural conditions and context in which educational processes take place, such as at preschools, schools, universities, and other relevant educational institutions and childcare facilities. These contexts themselves are also the subject of scientific investigation, for example, when it comes to the implementation of learning programs or professional training and continuing education courses. Furthermore, the structural differences between diverse learning environments, such as schools, all-day programs and clubs, pose research questions that are particularly relevant in times of expanding public education and childcare responsibilities. Another research goal is to investigate the effectiveness of video-based teaching modules in teacher education.
Working units currently involved in this area:
Diagnostics and evaluation in school context (Prof. Dr. Elmar Souvignier)
Developmental psychological prerequisites for education and teaching (Prof. Dr. Manfred Holodynski)
Educational Psychology (Prof. Dr. Carola Grunschel)
Psychology of Learning in Education and Instruction (Prof. Dr. Stephan Dutke)
Social-psychological foundations of education and teaching (Prof. Dr. Regina Jucks)
Performance and expertise
In this area, we investigate the physical and psychological requirements for high performance, as well as the development of expertise and the optimization of performance through physical and psychological training or interventions. Our research focuses on diagnosing skills and talents as well as investigating the emergence, maintenance and promotion of performance in professional contexts.
Our methodological approaches not only make use of assessment scales, such as self- and external ratings of teamwork performance, but also experimental procedures. These involve using complex statistical indicators to measure cognitive performance and developing training methods to enhance mental performance, such as stress management training.
Our research benefits from the synergetic effects of psychology and sport and exercise science within our faculty. In addition, the University of Münster is actively and visibly positioning itself as a partner in the field of top-level sports. This is particularly helpful in recruiting study participants.
Working units currently involved in this area:
Organizational and Business Psychology (Prof. Dr. Guido Hertel)
Psychology of Entrepreneurship (Jun.-Prof. Dr. Philipp Schäpers)
Social cohesion and integration
People’s lives are becoming increasingly diverse. This is due in part by scientific advances which, among other things, are increasing average life expectancy and thus contributing to age span in many countries. In addition, population growth, resource issues and political instability are driving more people to leave their home countries and seek a better future elsewhere.
Increasing diversity has the potential to fill societal gaps, for example, in the context of demographically driven shortages of skilled workers. But it can also fuel fears and lead to discrimination. Crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic or climate change, and the resulting social changes have only further exacerbated social conflicts.
In the context of these challenges, self-regulation and the regulation of social systems comprise a central focus of research. This includes research on social cohesion and integration in different areas of life, such as school, work or leisure, with the aim of developing and providing solutions to conflicts.
In the face of increasing diversity and social challenges, the Cluster of Excellence “Religion and Politics” at the University of Münster serves to focus research efforts in this field. In close cooperation with sociology and political science, we investigate psychological processes that are both the driving force behind social divisions and the glue that holds social cohesion together. Our research covers topics such as identity conflicts, political and religious openness versus dogmatism. We also study the perceptions and effects of perceived social exclusion, conspiracy beliefs and the perceived threat of ethnic and religious minorities.
The project Psychological Aspects of Refugee Integration (PARI) is dedicated to the psychological analysis of refugee integration. Compared to other national and international research initiatives on this topic, PARI is characterized by a particularly thematically focused approach. It specifically highlights aspects of flight rather than migration in general. In addition, PARI takes into account the perspectives of both the refugees and the host society and combines various scientific disciplines in its approach.
Other research projects deal with psychological processes involved in managing the social challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. These include large-scale international studies funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). These studies use experience sampling and diary studies to investigate interpersonal differences in well-being and underlying interaction and communication processes. In addition, we analyze the importance of direct and computer-mediated communication.
Another research interest pertains to the processes and conditions of public communication about and from science. In this context, we investigate the emergence and effects of informed trust in science.
Working units currently involved in this area:
Delopvental Psychology (Prof. Dr. Joscha Kärtner)
Clinical Psychology und Psychotherapy (Prof. Dr. Nexhmedin Morina)
Organizational and Business Psychology (Prof. Dr. Guido Hertel)
Psychological Assessment and Personality Psychology (Prof. Dr. Mitja Back)
Social Psychology (Prof. Dr. Gerald Echterhoff)
Educational Psychology (Senior-Prof. Dr. Rainer Bromme)
Technologization of life
Increasing technologization has far-reaching effects on individuals and their lives in various ways, e.g. in connection to education, work, leisure and society. Internet-based technologies in particular are changing a wide range of interaction processes. These include, for example, virtual teamwork, e-leadership, and Industry 4.0 in the workplace, social media in leisure activities and telemedicine in healthcare.
In addition, increasing connectivity and the automated documentation of behavior through big data present both opportunities and risks. The exponential growth and easier access to process-generated data offer new opportunities for prediction and evidence-based interventions in the areas of health, counseling and professional services. However, critical questions need to be addressed, such as
- How do individuals experience and respond to these changes?
- How does technologization affect performance and health?
- Where can we find positive synergies?
- What social implications will these transformations have?
In psychology, there are various research initiatives in this area, often linked across disciplines. Examples include the DFG Graduate School "Trust and Communication in a Digitized World" and the nationwide DFG Priority Program "Intentional Forgetting in Organizations". These initiatives investigate various central issues, including the perception and change of trust in modern technologies and their effects on user acceptance, adaptability, and performance. In addition, research collaborations with the Institut der Feuerwehr NRW investigate trust and technologization in work environments.
In addition, virtual worlds and Internet-based application systems are being used in clinical psychology to facilitate psychoeducational, preventive and therapeutic interventions. This enables the tracking of change processes and improves access to psychotherapeutic interventions. The development and implementation of Internet-based systems for monitoring learning progress is being carried out in projects funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), e.g. LemaS. The acceptance of technical assistance systems for people with disabilities or older people is also the subject of investigation in an EU-funded project. A DFG project is investigating the influence of social media on the need for belonging and recognition from a fundamental perspective. Experimental psychological aspects of human-machine interaction in the context of virtual reality are also being investigated.
With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) systems and machine-learning methods for data-driven prediction of relevant psychological outcomes, this line of research is logically evolving. Growing areas of interest in this field include the analysis of human interaction with increasingly automated and self-learning computer systems (e.g. social bots and automated leadership). Further topics of research include the automated capture of verbal and non-verbal behaviors and the data-driven prediction of social perceptions and judgments in personal and professional contexts.
Several projects investigate the motivational and emotional functions of online social media, e.g. in relation to coping with social exclusion, relocation and social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Working units currently involved in this area:
Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience (Prof. Dr. Markus Lappe)
Clinical Psychology und Psychotherapy (Prof. Dr. Nexhmedin Morina)
Organizational and Business Psychology (Prof. Dr. Guido Hertel)
Educational Psychologie (Prof. Dr. Carola Grunschel)
Psychological Assessment and Personality Psychology (Prof. Dr. Mitja Back)
Social Psychology (Prof. Dr. Gerald Echterhoff)
Professorships in Psychology