Also called: Social Psychology Researcher
Studies how people think about, influence, and relate to each other, from peer pressure to prejudice.
A social psychologist designs an experiment on how social media likes affect mood, runs participants in the lab, analyzes the data, and publishes findings that companies and governments use.
Doctorate (PhD), about 9 years after high school. PhD in social psychology.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Psychology, Sociology.
Growing slowly (about 1% over 10 years). BLS 2025-35 projection band for SOC 19-3039: Slower than average (1% to 2%).
Medium risk for 10 years. AI speeds analysis and survey design; academic jobs are few, but research design and interpretation stay human.
Classes: AP Psychology, AP Statistics, AP English Language.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-3039.
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