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Department of Psychology facilities

About our laboratories

The Department has a range of modern psychology laboratories and equipment that are used for teaching and research purposes. In the facilities we can study human behaviour and social interactions, explore the psychology of eating behaviours, understand the ways in which speech and language are used, and enter the world of virtual reality. In the psychology testing cubicles, we have specialist software and equipment for cognitive and psychophysiological testing.


In the labs, students can gain hands on experience of conducting and taking part in research. We have dedicated learning support officers who run the psychology facilities and support students with research in the laboratories.

Social and Developmental Psychology Laboratory

The Social and Developmental Psychology Laboratory offers both students and staff excellent facilities to observe and analyse human behaviour (e.g. group processes, parent child interactions).

This laboratory includes one way mirrors, digital speakers and 360 degree tracking digital cameras. Facilities for digitally recording, editing and analysing observation data are also a feature of the social and developmental psychology laboratory. This laboratory also has a fully equipped interview suite where you are able to develop skills and undertake qualitative interviews.

Three students observing a group of people through a two way mirror in the Department's Observation suite.

Experimental Psychology Laboratory

The Experimental Psychology Laboratory includes 12 fully equipped testing rooms designed for cognitive research. Each testing room has a networked PC loaded with specialist software used in the investigation of cognitive processes.

These rooms are also used for biopsychology where students are able to measure heart rate, galvanic skin response and brain waves (EEG) using the Biopac System.

Students in the experimental psychology lab.

Eating Behaviour Laboratory

The Eating Behaviour Laboratory has equipment that enables students to measure body composition (e.g. body mass index, % body fat and visceral fat level, lean body mass, predicted bone mass).

These body composition measures are used alongside other data to explore the detailed facets of health and eating behaviour.

Students in the healthy eating lab

Psychology Teaching Laboratory

The Psychology Teaching Laboratory enables students to be taught specific research skills in a fully equipped space with a staging area for research and individual workstations.

The laboratory accommodates small groups where students are given individual support with practical work from lecturers and psychology learning support officers.

Speech and Language Laboratory

Auditory information is all around us and the way we use and respond to speech and language is a central feature of psychology research. This laboratory houses a sound proof booth and has a dedicated audio-processing computer and two data collection stations.

This laboratory is highly specialised and has been used by students undertaking their dissertation research.