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 received a place for supervision, you will be invited to the master's thesis seminar of the respective professor. The exact times and dates of this seminar can be found on u:find. After receiving confirmation, you also have the right to reject your seat and reapply in the following semester.
What to do in case of rejection?
Unfortunately, we have more applications than free places in the master's thesis seminars every semester. If you receive a rejection, you can also contact supervisors from other specializations. It is important that you always make clear your motivation and your interest in the topic. Also, inquire in time in your seminar "Theory and Empirical Research". Many master theses build on these seminars.
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).
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.
New theses will be assigned on topics including:
Case study: Personnel development in the flexible and digital world of work (qualitative work)
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).
NOTE: New supervision spots are not expected to be available in this area until the winter semester 2023/24.
Use this form to apply for supervision.
For more information on this field, please visit the homepage of the website of the Applied Social Psychology and Consumer Behavior Research group.
A good indication of our subject areas is provided by the master's theses completed to date.
Our perspective is social psychological, that is, we examine how social and nonsocial context influences experience and behavior.
Core areas include:
- Sustainable and responsible consumption (including healthy eating)
- Influences of digitalization on autonomy, consumption, social relationships, well-being, and social engagement
- Influence of stereotypes on consumer behavior / Influence of consumer behavior on the change of stereotypes
- Selective attention and consumption decisions
- The focus on other people as part of self-regulation
New work will be assigned on topics including:
- Healthy eating and pleasure
- Sustainability and renunciation
- Passive consumers in the digital age: Do consumers no longer see their power?
- Can you buy happiness?
- Digital maturity of children and adolescents in the use of mobile technology
- The influence of brand users on the image of brands
- What actually is natural? Psychology of the natural
- Understanding why and how people favor (prioritize) information about themselves compared to information about other people
- Similarities and differences between decisions made for now versus future (and decisions made for here versus far away)
- Social Network Sites behavior and tendency to compare oneself with others
Special consideration will be given to students who meet the following requirements:
- SE Theory and Empirical Research from the compulsory module group B1
- SE Advanced Seminar: Implementation of theoretical knowledge from the compulsory module group B1
- VU Social- and Economic Psychology
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 (winter term 23/24)
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
Psychology with a Focus on Changes in Work, Society and Economy
Ass.-Prof. Dr. Jana Kühnel
Jana Kühnel does not assign any further master thesis topics for the next semester (WS 2023/24).
For more information on this field, please visit the homepage of the website of the Psychology with a Focus on Changes in Work, Society and Economy group.