The Institute of Experimental Psychology at the Moscow State University of Psychology & Education (MSUPE) is a premier research and educational hub dedicated to exploring the fundamental mechanisms of human cognition, perception, and behavior. By bridging classical psychological theory with cutting-edge instrumental technologies, we conduct world-class empirical research and train the next generation of visionary psychologists and cognitive scientists.
Established in 2016 and operating under the leadership of Professor Vladimir Barabanschikov, Doctor of Psychological Sciences, the Institute was founded to implement rigorous research programs that meet the highest international scientific standards. It serves as a specialized academic division dedicated to advancing the theoretical foundations, methodological frameworks, and empirical practices of modern psychological science.
Core Tasks and ObjectivesCurrently, the main tasks of the institute are:
- Organization and execution of experimental psychological research.
- Training students, postgraduate students, and interns in the fundamentals of modern instrumental experimentation.
- Development of the methodological base of experimental psychology.
- Development of objective methods for recording psychophysiological indicators during the perception of information products.
- Identification of age-related patterns and individual characteristics of the perception of information products.
- Studying the effectiveness of information and communication tools in teaching schoolchildren.
- Development of a methodology for the psychological and pedagogical expert evaluation of products for children.
The structure of the Institute includes three main divisions:
- Research and Educational Center "Experimental Psychology"
- Laboratory for Neurocognitive Research of Individual Experience
- Department of General Psychology
The material and technical base of the Institute consists of a multi-purpose, high-tech hardware and software complex, one of the best-equipped in Russia. It ensures the use of a wide range of methods and technologies for instrumental research, such as:
- Oculography (Eye-tracking)
- Polygraphy
- Tachistoscopy
- Registration of the brain's electrical activity (EEG)
- Virtual Reality (VR)
- Video registration
- Psychophysical measurements, and others.
The work of the Institute is provided by highly qualified personnel, including psychologists, programmers, and engineers. A developed infrastructure based on competent engineering support ensures effective research activities. The work carried out is predominantly based on the provisions of the cognitive-communicative approach (B.F. Lomov, V.A. Barabanshchikov, V.N. Nosulenko). These instrumental methods are applied both in practice (diagnostics, counseling, therapy) and in fundamental research.
Modular PracticumOn the basis of the Institute of Experimental Psychology, a new modular-type practicum on experimental psychology has been developed. It uses modern technical research tools, specialized software, and mathematical methods of data analysis and processing. The modules include:
- Psychophysical Assessment: Exploring methods for measuring absolute and differential thresholds and subjective scaling of sensations.
- Biometrics and Chronometry: Integrating physiological and psychological methods to record EEG, GSR, heart rate, and respiration.
- Eye Movement Registration: Examining the motor component of vision as an indicator of mental process dynamics (perception, attention, thinking).
- Virtual Reality: Development and testing of didactic VR applications.
- Sensory Transformation: Experiments demonstrating mental processes during functional reorganization.
- Video Registration: Teaching observation technologies, video data analysis, and coding based on theoretical models.
The Institute cooperates with many scientific and educational institutions, including:
- Faculty of Information Technologies of MGPPU
- Institute of Psychology of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IP RAS)
- Psychological Institute of the Russian Academy of Education (PI RAE)
- Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IBMP RAS)
- Pavlov Institute of Physiology
- Yaroslavl State University, Tomsk and Kazan Universities, Bashkir State Medical University.
The Institute also actively collaborates with professionals from medicine, law enforcement, and the Investigative Committee of Russia.
Scientific Journal and GrantsThe Institute publishes the scientific journal "Experimental Psychology" (Editor-in-Chief — V.A. Barabanshchikov). Founded in 2008 and published quarterly, it has been included since 2010 in the list of journals recommended by the Higher Attestation Commission (HAC) and is indexed in WoS and Scopus databases.
The Institute is a regular participant in research projects funded by major scientific foundations, including current Russian Science Foundation (RSF) grants:
- Project No. 25-18-00885: "Real and virtual intellectual event in solving complex problems."
- Project No. 24-18-00904: "Mechanisms of perception of a person's emotional state in non-verbal communication."
- Bachelor's Program: "Experimental Psychology"
Goal: To train specialists able to professionally apply psychological knowledge and research skills in science.
Career Prospects: Organization and conduct of psychological experimental research; use of natural science psychological methods; qualitative and quantitative assessment of behavior and psychophysiological data. - Master's Program: "Cognitive Psychology"
Goal: To train specialists who can professionally apply instrumental research and data analysis methods.
Career Prospects: Working in academic and applied organizations using instrumental-psychological research, computer modeling, and neurophysiological data analysis. - Master's Program: "Cognitive Sciences and Neurotechnologies"
Goal: To train masters who can use modern neuroimaging tools (fMRI, MEG, EEG, eye tracking) and data analysis methods.
Career Prospects: Solving applied and innovative research problems in neurotechnologies using neuroimaging and psychophysiology methods. - Postgraduate Studies (PhD): Specialty 5.3.1 "General psychology, personality psychology, history of psychology."