General Information
The Psychological Methods Unit is responsible for teaching statistics in the Bachelor's program in Psychology. The methods module includes the lectures Descriptive Statistics and Probability Theory (winter semester) and Inferential Statistics (summer semester). Both lectures are accompanied by practical tutorials, in which statistical data analysis using the R programming language is practiced. Additionally, the lecture Experimental Design is also part of the methodological training. The Methods Unit also regularly offers an Empirical Project Seminar.
In the Master's programs, we offer the lecture Advanced Research Methods, which introduces various multivariate procedures. Furthermore, the unit regularly hosts in-depth methodological seminars as well as foundational and project-based seminars in the field of cognitive science.
We are happy to supervise theses focusing on methodological questions or topics in cognitive research.
Methodological Consultation Service
The Methods Unit organizes a methodological consultation service for psychology students at Heidelberg University. In particular, we offer support with methodological questions related to Bachelor's and Master's theses.
Bachelor's and Master's Theses
The Methods Unit supervises Bachelor's and Master's theses on topics related to methodology in a narrower sense (e.g., mathematical modeling of cognitive processes), as well as on topics in cognitive and experimental psychology (e.g., indirect attitude measurement, automatic attentional capture by negative stimuli, eye-tracking studies).
Theses conducted in our unit are typically – though not exclusively – based on computer-based experiments. Programming skills are not a requirement. For Bachelor's theses, we offer to handle the programming work. For Master's theses, we provide guidance in creating custom experimental programs using appropriate development environments (e.g., LabJS).
We recommend that students who wish to write their thesis within the Methods Unit also participate in our seminars Presentation of Own Research (B.Sc.) or Project Seminar (M.Sc.).
Thesis Topics
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Measuring Cognitive Processes with Stochastic Diffusion Models
Contact: Andreas Voß
Diffusion models allow the estimation of parameters from response time data that reflect specific cognitive processes (e.g., decision criteria, speed of information uptake). This project will investigate the psychometric quality (reliability and validity) of the model parameters.
Recommended Reading: Voss, Nagler, & Lerche, 2013 -
Measuring Intelligence with Stochastic Diffusion Models
Contact: Andreas Voß
There is evidence that intelligence is correlated with the speed of information uptake in simple decision tasks. This thesis would aim to replicate or further analyze this effect.
Recommended Reading: Lerche, von Krause, Voß, Frischkorn, Schubert, & Hagemann -
Using Diffusion Models for Personality Assessment
Contact: Andreas Voß
This project investigates whether the speed with which individuals attribute certain traits to themselves allows for a valid and reliable measurement of personality traits. Diffusion models will again be used for analysis.
Recommended Reading: Voss, Nagler, & Lerche, 2013 -
Self-Regulatory Processes in Automatic Attention to Threat Signals
Contact: Andreas Voß
For a long time, it was assumed that threat signals automatically attract attention (e.g., Pratto & John, 1991). However, a recent meta-analysis shows that such automatic attentional capture by negative signals is primarily found in individuals with high anxiety (Bar-Haim et al., 2007). The ability to control negative consequences appears to play a crucial role: signals indicating uncontrollable threats are inhibited, while signals for controllable threats are preferentially processed. This finding will be further investigated.
Recommended Reading: Brandtstädter, Voß, & Rothermund, 2004 -
Motivated Reasoning
Contact: Andreas Voß
This project explores motivational influences on logical reasoning. Specifically, it aims to demonstrate that logical tasks (e.g., syllogisms) are more frequently solved incorrectly when the correct answer contradicts a person's own beliefs.
Recommended Reading: Klauer, Musch, & Naumer, 2000 -
Own Ideas
You are also welcome to discuss your own thesis ideas with us!