Master's theses
Deadlines for master's thesis applications
Please note the general submission deadlines for master's thesis applications:
- Winter semester: June 30
- Summer semester: January 31
Students with the master's specialization in Work, Economy & Society may also write their master's theses in other areas of psychology. The information here applies only to the areas listed below.
What happens if I receive a spot?
If you have been assigned a supervisor, you will be invited to the supervisor's master's seminar. The exact dates and times of this seminar can be found on u:find. Once you have received confirmation, you have the right to decline your place and reapply in the following semester.
What to do in case of rejection?
Unfortunately, each semester we have more applications than available slots in the master's thesis seminars. If you receive a rejection, you can also contact supervisors from other departments. It is important that you always make clear your motivation and interest in the topic. Also note that the seminar "Theory and Empirical Research" is important. Many master's theses are based on this seminar.
Work and Organisational Psychology
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Christian Korunka
There is an application deadline each semester for starting a new master's thesis and participating in the master's seminar (see the top of the page).
IMPORTANT NOTE: Professor Korunka will only supervise new Master's theses in exceptional cases and by prior arrangement.
Use this form to apply for supervision.
For more information on this field, please visit the homepage of the website of the Work and Organisational Psychology group.
Special consideration will be given to students who meet the following requirements:
- SE Theory and Empirical Research (Prof. Kirchler, Prof. Korunka)
- SE Advanced Seminar: Implementation of theoretical knowledge (within the master's specialization of Work, Economy & Society)
- VU Work and Organisational Psychology
Received a supervision spot?
Motivation Psychology
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Veronika Job
There is an application deadline each semester for starting a new master's thesis and participating in the master's seminar (see the top of the page).
Use this form to apply for supervision.
For more information on this field, please visit the homepage of the website of the Motivation Psychology group.
Master's theses are assigned on the research topics of the group.
Applied Social Psychology and Consumer Behavior Research
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Arnd Florack
There is an application deadline each semester for starting a new master's thesis and participating in the master's seminar (see the top of the page).
Use this form to apply for supervision.
To get an idea of our research interests and the theses supervised in our area, you can browse through our website and, in particular, the topics of completed theses.
Currently, we offer supervision of master thesis projects in the following areas:
Responsible Consumption
- New ways of consuming to address climate change
- How to reduce consumption while maintaining satisfaction
- Social movements to address climate change
- Gratitude and consumption
Food choices and enjoyment of eating
- Healthy eating with pleasure
- The influence of the environment on food preferences
- How communication norms influence taste expectations
- How social inequalities influence eating behavior
- New ways of eating (hybrid food, meat substitutes, new proteins)
Experiences and behavior of consumers in a digital world
- Passive consumers in the digital age: Do consumers no longer see their power?
- Social Network Sites behavior and tendency to compare oneself with others
- Digital maturity of children and adolescents in the use of mobile technology
- The impact of AI (ChatGPT, ...) on experiences and behavior
Consumer experiences and well-being
- Does the mix of positive and negative experiences lead to a psychologically rich life?
- How the social environment shapes beliefs and narratives about consumption, competition, and well-being
- When we do not match our expectations: The effects of self-discrepancies on well-being
Further topics
- Brands as intentional agents
- Psychology of brands
- How to prevent that nudging policies backfire: Supporting consistency and avoiding licensing
Social and Economic Psychology
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Robert Böhm
There is an application deadline each semester for starting a new master's thesis and participating in the master's seminar (see the top of the page).
Use this form to apply for supervision.
For more information on this field, please visit the homepage of the website of the Social and Economic Psychology group.
A good indication of our subject areas is provided by the master's theses completed to date.
New work will be assigned on topics including:
- Determinants of and interventions for promoting vaccine uptake
- Determinants of and interventions for promoting prudent antibiotic intake
- Determinants of and interventions for prosocial behavior in the context of climate and environmental protection
- Measuring of rational decision making
- Intergroup conflict and cooperation from a social dilemma perspective
- Specific topics for master theses (summer term 24)
Special consideration will be given to students who meet the following requirements:
- SE Theory and Empirical Research (Prof. Kirchler)
- SE Advanced Seminar: Implementation of theoretical knowledge in the area of Economic Psychology
- VU Economic Psychology