Valerie Reyna with students
Understanding thoughts, feelings and behaviors, through theoretical and translational research

Department of Psychology

In the Department of Psychology we focus on the investigation of behavior and its cognitive, neural and hormonal underpinnings in the full range of environmental situations. Our strengths lie in four broadly defined areas of development, cognition, neuroscience, and social and personality psychology. We develop and conduct theoretical and translational research to advance health and well-being.

Currently, we offer two majors and minors for undergraduate students. The Psychology major and minor are offered through the College of Arts & Sciences while the Human Development major and minor are offered through the College of Human Ecology. We also offer graduate degrees in the field of Psychology through the College of Arts and Sciences and the field of Human Development through the College of Human Ecology.

Explore the Department

Undergraduate Program Graduate Program Research Faculty Profiles
Behavioral economics illustration

Born at Cornell, embraced by policymakers 

Cornell University helped pioneer the collaborative field of behavioral economics, where economists and psychologists work side by side to uncover how human behavior drives decision-making in markets and beyond.

Click here to read more about the impact of our behavioral economics research

Department News

A smiling woman and man in caps and "DARE2TRI" T-shirt stand on either side of a young woman athlete wearing the number "266" on her shirt

How One Volunteer Gig Reminded Me What Sport Is Really For

Cornell University alumni Adam Wolford '14, Christine Shaw Palmquist '87, and Manahil Jafri '25 crossed paths at a Dare2Tri adaptive triathlon camp in Tampa, Florida, where Wolford volunteered alongside athletes with physical disabilities. The personal essay, published April 2026 in Cornellians, reflects on the deeper purpose of sport after witnessing disabled athletes rediscover speed and competition through the nonprofit's swim, bike, and run programming.

Students sitting on the grass talking

Admitted Class of 2030 seeks real-world impact

Cornell admits the Class of 2030 emphasizing real-world impact, enrolling 5,776 students from 102 countries.
At Cornell University, the diverse cohort reflects the land-grant mission and applied learning goals across multiple colleges.

Person reading a book while sitting on a large rock outdoors

Your March 2026 reads

This month’s featured titles by A&S alumni and faculty include an evolutionary look at dating, a Christian work on inner peace and a queer love story.

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Student researchers in Psychology

Preparing undergraduate students for the future of psychological research and practice

Undergraduate students develop critical thinking skills, emphasizing the foundational nature of the science of psychology.

Learn more about the department's undergraduate programs

Pouched rat

Learn at the nexus of graduate level scientific inquiry

The Department of Psychology embraces multidisciplinary and translational research and graduate training, viewing psychology as a “hub science” at the nexus of many other areas of scientific inquiry.

Learn more about graduate studies

BABY Lab researchers

A cross disciplinary approach to research

The Department of Psychology embraces a “big tent” approach to methods, techniques and analysis that can be used to expand the frontiers of psychological science.

Learn more about the department's research

Psychology Events

Apr 10
Friday 12:20 PM

The Neisser Lecture

G90 Uris Hall
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