In the specialisation Social and Organisational Psychology, part of the Master in Psychology, you study behaviour in formal and informal groups, such as sports or work teams.

In the specialisation Child and Adolescent Psychology , part of the Master in Psychology, you develop practical skills in assessing and managing developmental psychopathology.

Social, Economic and Organisational Psychology focuses on the application of scientific psychological knowledge of social processes within and between groups of people and individuals, in organisations, but also during economic and consumer decisions.

What is the relation between brain development and social and cognitive development across childhood, adolescence and adulthood?

Are you thinking about studying Methodology and Statistics in Psychology? Learn more and watch the videos.

The aim of our research program is to better understand the etiology and course of mood, anxiety and stress-related disorders, such as depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We investigate both the transdiagnostic mechanisms underlying these disorders and work on improving the treatments…

This minor focuses on the relationships between behaviour, health and illness.

In the Psychology Lab on Wheels, we conduct innovative research together with citizens. We drive our mobile lab to people all over the country helping to bridge the gap between science and society.

The research master’s specialisation Clinical and Health Psychology prepares you for a PhD trajectory.

In the specialisation Methodology and Statistics, part of the Master in Psychology, you will focus on in-depth study of statistical theory and research methodology as well as on the acquisition of data analysis skills.

The Social and Economic Psychology specialisation offers in-depth knowledge of a broad range of theories and research domains in this area, all concerning the way people’s social environment influences thoughts, feelings, and behaviour.

Social anxiety and factors determining school success in children. Brain development in relation to cognitive, social and emotional development in adolescence.

Observational, cognitive and physiological measurements in social contexts.

In the specialisation Clinical Psychology, part of the Master in Psychology, you gain extensive knowledge on the asessment and treatment of mental disorders.

We study expressions of emotion and social decision making across species.

Are you thinking about studying the Pre-Master's Programme Psychology? Learn more and watch the videos.

In this research line, the role pharmacological agents and neurochemcial processes play in behavior and cognition is examined with a particular focus on pain, placebo and nocebo effects and intensive care treatments.

In her book Between Smiles and Grimaces, Mariska Kret shows us what differences there are between humans and animals, and more importantly, what similarities.

Since itch and pain can be very burdensome, especially when individuals suffer from (either of) these symptoms chronically, it is important to know the factors by which these sensations are influenced. It becomes more and more clear that psychological factors play an important role in the experience…

Study information

Kim de Jong, Jaime Delgadillo, and Michael Barkham offer valuable insights in their book 'Routine Outcome Monitoring and Feedback in Psychological Therapies' on how therapists and trainees can use feedback to inform treatment decisions and, ultimately, enhance patient outcomes.

Below you will find the answers to some of the frequently asked questions about admission to the clinical specialisations of the Master in Psychology.

Below you will find the answers to some of the frequently asked questions about admission to the clinical specialisations of the Master in Psychology.

Here you will find the answers to some of the frequently asked questions about admission to the clinical specialisations of the Master in Psychology.

Below you will find the answers to some of the frequently asked questions about admission to the clinical specialisations of the Master in Psychology.

Below you will find the answers to some of the frequently asked questions about admission to the clinical specialisations of the Master in Psychology.

The relevance of intentionality to the interpretation of Aristotle was first suggested by Brentano in his Psychology from an Empirical Standpoint. Here we take our starting point from Brentano and investigate how Brentano’s concept of intentionality is rooted in Aristotle.

Using an interdisciplinary experimental approach grounded in behavioral economics and personality psychology, we identify an antisocial personality profile and examine its role across strategic contexts.

The philosopher and psychologist G.F. Stout was the teacher of Moore and Russell around 1894. This book shows that Stout's ideas have played a role in Moore and Russell's development from their early idealism towards analytic realism, where Stout's ideas often find their origin in early phenomenolog…

Transferring to the Bachelor's programme in Psychology at Leiden University

For the first time, a group of international and interdisciplinary researchers led by Karline Janmaat and her former MSc Student Chirag Chittar, have tested the several hypotheses on music simultaneously in a modern foraging society during their daily search for tubers – their staple food. They found…

What interests and motives shape how people cooperate, clash and place their trust in one another? For more than 36 years, Van Dijk explored these questions using experimental games in the laboratory. 'Games strip complex issues back to their core.'

People who have taken antibiotics in the past three months pay more attention to negative facial expressions, according to research by postdoc Katerina Johnson and assistant professor Laura Steenbergen. This may explain how antibiotics increase the risk of developing depression.

This article examines leadership encouragement and psychological safety as antecedents of prosocial rule-breaking (PSRB) behaviour.

We talk with Sophia Dittmar about starting a career in Psychology. Dittmar is currently studying the master's specialisation in Economic and Consumer Psychology at Leiden University. We talk about what she learned from her internship, why she switched masters and how to get the most out of an internship.…

Season 2 of the Leiden Psychology podcast has started, and we're kicking it off with a special Q&A featuring our new hosts Aziza and Priya. In this episode you are offered a chance to get to know them better.

On February 15th 2018 former students in Methodology & Statistics (M&S) of Leiden University share their current and previous professional activities to provide M&S students an insight into their career perspectives.

On the Psychology Science Day 2019 bachelor students were granted a certificate for participating in the Honours Research Bachelor Project (HRBP) and the Honours Lectures. The HRBP participants and the Research Master students also presented their latest research by means of poster presentations and…

The theses awards go to Maud van den Eijnden (MSc) and Michael Aristodemou (MSc research). PhD candidates Frank Doolaard and Meriem Manaï wrote the best scientific articles. Anna van Duijvenvoorde wins the Leiden Psychology Blog Award. Corry Donner gets an award for administrative staff of the Institute…

The Psychology Teaching Award goes to the entire team of teaching staff. PhD candidates Wouter van Loon and Hilmar Zech wrote the best scientific articles. The master's thesis awards go to Robert-Jan de Rooij and Florian Thomas-Odenthal. Marion Duijsman gets an award for administrative staff and Gert-Jan…

Standing on the shoulders of giants, that's what the students and staff of the of the Institute of Psychology do. Congratulations.

Psychology teacher of the year is Anouk van der Weiden. The master thesis awards are for Irina Verhülsdonk and Christel Klootwijk. Eliška Procházková receives the PhD publication prize; Katja Cardol and Judith Tommel the PhD wild card: the Open Science Award. Conny Binnendijk earns the OBP prize and…

Psychology teacher of the year is Roy de Kleijn. The Master Thesis Awards are for Roosmarijn Goldbach en Matija Čuljak. Jeffrey Durieux receives the PhD Publication Prize; Maedeh Nasri the PhD Wild card: Team Science Award. Wilma van Velzen earns the OBP Prize and Jos Brosschot wins the Leiden Psychology…

‘Very interesting’ is what two bachelor students have to say about the stories by Liesbeth van Vliet and Niki Antypa during the Psychology Science Day. The icing on the cake were the poster presentations about the bachelor's theses, admired and commented on by scientists and fellow students. Teachers…

Writing essays, refining grant applications, or creating a new course curriculum—ChatGPT assists students and researchers in these endeavours. What this new technology means for working in academia, was discussion at the fourth Psychology Connected event.

Also in 2024, our colleagues from the Institute of Psychology were visible in the media in various ways. Check out their appearances in Dutch media, from NRC to the Podcast psychologist.

In 2025, our colleagues from the Institute of Psychology once again made a strong presence in the media. From (inter)national newspapers to podcasts, discover where they shared their expertise in the media this year.

Carsten de Dreu has received the Carol and Ed Diener Award in Social Psychology which is designed to recognise a mid-career scholar whose work has added substantially to the body of knowledge to the social psychology field and brings together personality psychology and social psychology.