The Positive Development Lab
“True happiness comes from the joy of deeds well done, the zest of creating things new.”
― Antoine De Saint-Exupery
Director: Kathryn Amey Degnan, Ph.D.
Students from many programs within the Department of Psychology at The Catholic University of America collaborate in the PDL!
BA Psychology or BS Psychological & Brain Sciences Programs
Psychological Science MA Program
NEWS
The Psychology Department at Catholic University is accepting applications for Fall 2024 to our Developmental Psychology, Social, Cognitive, Affective, & Neuroscience (SCAN), as well as the Clinical Psychology PhD programs. We also have a MA program in Psychological Science.
Apply Today! (Deadlines: Feb 1 - DP & SCAN; Dec 1 - CL; June 1 - MA)
Catholic's psychology programs (and the PDL) offer a personalized approach within a supportive environment,
mentoring students towards their own career goals.
To explore the wide scope of the PDL's research, click on Projects, above. Applicants whose research interests clearly fit with our current/future research goals will be considered for admission. Experience in these areas is even better!
Temperament and regulatory functions
Psychophysiological measures (i.e., HRV, IMP, EEG, ERPs)
Infancy through young adulthood
Adaptive (i.e., positive) social-emotional outcomes
Sociocultural contexts (i.e., relationship factors and cultural norms)
Multi-domain assessments across levels of analysis (e.g., biological, psychological, social, behavioral)
Are you interested in gaining research experience?
CUA students (BA/BS, MA, PhD)
register for credit (1 credit: 4-5 hrs per week) for any academic session
volunteer (1-3 hrs per week)
📧 Email Dr. Degnan your resume/CV and a brief description of your specific interests in the PDL
Non-CUA students or CUA Alumni may also volunteer (3+ hrs per week) - Contact Dr. Degnan to discuss
Congratulations to all of our 2022-2023 BA & BS Psychology Students!
Sydney, Grace, Margaret, Marianna, Julia, Javier, Eddie, Kaleigh, Ashley, & Claire
Congratulations to our 2022-2023 MA/PhD graduates!
Melissa & Kathryn - MA in Psychological Sciences
Sarah Kravitz - PhD in Human Development
We will miss you - Please keep in touch!!!
Did you know the Psychology Department at Catholic University is about 130 years old?
Check out our rich history in Psychological Science here.