Other Activities
Music Therapy Workshop
Date: 04 April 2025
A Music Therapy workshop was held on 4th April 2025 for the final year students of MSc Counselling Psychology and MSc Psychology. A total of 90 students participated in the workshop. It was conducted by Mr. Kamal Singh, a Clinical Music Therapist, and aimed at introducing the students to the therapeutic use of music through various activities and discussions.
The session highlighted the use of music as an efficient tool for non-verbal communication, and to connect with oneself and others. Mr. Singh also shed light on the role of music in supporting individuals with emotional and psychological difficulties. The experiential activities and case discussions helped the students explore how music can aid in emotional expression, strengthening relationships, and healing.
Internship Orientation
Date: 11 March 2025
On 11th March 2025, from 1:40 PM to 2:30 PM, an Internship Orientation was conducted at A1 Auditorium, Second Floor, Admin Block, for the 4th Semester BA Psychology, BA Psychology and English and BA Psychology and Journalism Students. The session aimed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of their upcoming internship in the domain of psychology, outlining its objectives, expectations, and requirements. It was designed to facilitate their transition from academic learning to practical application in professional settings.
Ms. Vimala M, Programme Coordinator (UG), Department of Psychology, initiated the session by welcoming the students and emphasizing the significance of the internship as an integral part of their curriculum. Detailed information was provided regarding the duration, scope, and structure of the internship program. Guidelines on professional conduct, ethical considerations, and report submission were shared. Students were briefed on their responsibilities during the internship, including attendance requirements, expected learning outcomes, and assessment criteria. Guidance was provided on selecting suitable organizations that align with students’ career aspirations and areas of interest. The role of faculty mentors in monitoring and evaluating students' progress was also discussed.
Ms. Sharmili Chatterjee, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, oriented the students on the format of the internship report and other internship requirements. A Q&A session was conducted, allowing students to clarify their doubts regarding internship placements, assessment, and expectations. The orientation session was highly informative and engaging, equipping students with the necessary knowledge and confidence to embark on their internships. The speakers reiterated the importance of practical exposure in bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world applications.
Expert Lecture on Chronic Health Diseases
Date: 10 March 2025
The Department of Psychology at Kristu Jayanti College successfully organised an expert lecture on Chronic Health Diseases as part of the Health Psychology course. The session, held on March 10, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 10:50 AM at Kristu Jayanti College, Bengaluru, was delivered by Dr. Shashi Bhaskara Krishnamurthy, Director of Critical Care and Consultant Intensivist at Cytecare Hospitals. With over 22 years of experience in intensive care across the UK, Australia, and India, Dr. Krishnamurthy provided invaluable insights into chronic health conditions such as Coronary Heart Disease (CHD), Hypertension, Stroke, and Type II Diabetes. A total of 85 students from BA VI PYJO/PYPA and PYEN courses participated in this engaging session, which aimed to enhance understanding of chronic illnesses, their risk factors, management strategies, and psychosocial implications. The lecture also shed light on preventive healthcare measures and the role of intensive care in managing critical health conditions.
Dr. Krishnamurthy emphasized the role of lifestyle and genetic predisposition in the development of chronic diseases, highlighting recent advancements in research and treatment methodologies. He discussed preventive healthcare strategies, the mental health challenges faced by patients and caregivers, and the importance of intensive care in managing life-threatening conditions. The session encouraged interactive discussions, allowing students to gain expert insights into the field of healthcare. Participants learned about effective preventive and management strategies, the psychosocial impact of chronic illnesses, and the necessity of early intervention. The engaging lecture inspired students to delve deeper into research opportunities and explore careers in healthcare and critical care management.
The expert lecture successfully met its objectives, leaving a lasting impact on the students. Dr. Krishnamurthy’s in-depth knowledge and ability to connect with the students made the session highly informative and engaging. This academic interaction not only broadened the students' perspectives on chronic health diseases but also fostered a keen interest in the evolving field of healthcare.
Board of Studies Meeting - Department of Psychology
Date: 07 March 2025
The Department of Psychology, Kristu Jayanti College (Autonomous), Bengaluru, successfully conducted the Board of Studies (BoS) meeting on 7th March 2025 at Conference Hall 1, 4th Floor, Humanities Block. The meeting commenced with a silent prayer in the presence of eminent members, including Dr. Sreenivas M, Professor and Chairman, PG Department of Psychology, Bengaluru City University; Ms. Haleema S, Founder of Mind Calm Centre, Bengaluru; Ms. Lalhriatpuii Fanai, PhD Scholar and Alumni Representative; Fr. Emmanuel, Director of Kristu Jayanti College of Law; Chairman of BoS, Dr. Gopakumar AV, Dean, Faculty of Humanities; Dr. Sruthi Sivaraman, Head of the Department of Psychology; Mr. Vigraanth Bapu KG, PG Programme Coordinator; and Ms. Vimala M, UG Programme Coordinator. Dr. Deepthi Vijayan formally welcomed the BoS members and faculty.
The undergraduate syllabus was presented by Ms. Vimala M, while the postgraduate syllabus was introduced by Mr. Vigraanth Bapu KG, who outlined key curriculum updates and enhancements. The session was graced by distinguished Board of Studies members, including Dr. Sreenivas M, who provided valuable insights on strengthening the practical components of the curriculum. He emphasized the importance of community engagement in psychology education and suggested incorporating mandatory visits to rehabilitation centers as part of the practical components. He further recommended that students extend a “helping hand” through community service, visit NGOs and orphanages to establish rapport, and enhance one-on-one human interaction and connection, thereby contributing to their professional development and employability. Ms. Haleema S and Ms. Lalhriatpuii Fanai also provided their inputs and suggestions to enhance the curriculum and academic framework.
A key highlight of the meeting was the proposal for a new course on Psychological Test Construction, aimed at fostering research aptitude among students. The proposal received constructive feedback from Dr. Gopakumar AV, who emphasized the importance of continuous curriculum development. Additionally, Fr. Emmanuel highlighted the role of new academic initiatives in shaping students’ competencies and career readiness. The meeting concluded with a formal vote of thanks proposed by Ms. Soumya Simon.
The session was attended by esteemed faculty members, including Ms. Anitha Mary Mathew, Ms. Sharmili Chatterjee, Dr. Lokesh L, Dr. Arjun Sekhar, Dr. Anjana Sinha, Ms. Deepmala Sutar, Ms. Naw Carolina Ashu, Dr. Akshaya I, Ms. Aarsha, Ms. Angeetha, Ms. Lakshmipriya, and Ms. Sandra.
The Board of Studies meeting served as a platform for meaningful academic discussions and curriculum advancements, reaffirming the department’s commitment to providing innovative and research-driven education in psychology.
PsychoFiesta 2025
Date: 25 February 2025
PsychoFiesta 2025, organized by the Department of Psychology at Kristu Jayanti College on February 25, was an immersive celebration of emotions and self-discovery, bringing together students, faculty, and administrative staff. The event was inaugurated by Rev. Fr. Deepu Joy, Director, Student Welfare Office, who highlighted the significance of emotional intelligence in personal and academic growth. Dr. Sruthi Sivaraman, Head of the Department of Psychology, along with the event coordinators, faculty members, and student representatives, were also present during the inauguration. The event was coordinated by Ms. Nikita S. Patani and Ms. Sharmili Chatterjee, ensuring a seamless and enriching experience for all participants. The Live Show, led by undergraduate students at the M2 Auditorium, provided an engaging platform to explore emotions in action through performances and discussions. The Exclusive Stalls, also curated by undergraduate students at the Humanities Block Entrance, showcased interactive exhibits demonstrating the role of psychology in everyday life. Meanwhile, postgraduate students facilitated Psychology Assessments at the Psychology Lab, offering participants deep insights into self-awareness, with a dedicated and confidential section for teachers and administrative staff. The overwhelming enthusiasm and participation made PsychoFiesta a meaningful and transformative event, fostering greater emotional intelligence and psychological awareness within the college community.
Workshop on Energy Healing
Date: 24 February 2025
A workshop on Energy Healing was organised by the Department of Psychology on 24th February 2024 for 92 final-year MSc Counselling and MSc Psychology students. The resource person, Ms. Deepika Murthy, founder of Alp-Viraam, is an alternate psychotherapist specializing in various wellness modalities.
The workshop combined scientific theories with practical applications, starting with an activity on the emotional impact of vibrations and energy. Ms. Murthy explained the scientific basis of energy at atomic and cellular levels, linking it to wellness. She covered the cosmic triad, aura layers, chakras, meridians, and naadis, emphasizing how chakra imbalances affect health. This session had a stronger focus on practical applications, including Reiki for energy channeling and sensory healing through sound, touch, and sight. Participants also explored mind layers beyond Freud’s model and grounding techniques. The workshop concluded with an experiential exercise on palm chakra energy and its influence.
The workshop was highly informative, grounding energy healing in science while debunking myths. Extensive hands-on activities, including Reiki and sensory healing, enriched the learning experience and provided valuable practical skills.
Workshop on Drama Therapy
Date: 21 February 2025
The Department of Psychology organized a Workshop on Drama Therapy on 21st February 2025. The resource person for the event was Ms. Deepika Murthy, Founder and Alternative Therapist at Alp-Viram. The workshop was attended by 104 students from the M.Sc. Psychology and Counselling Psychology programs.
The session started with a warm-up activity based on mirroring. This activity required students to mirror each other’s movements, promoting awareness and trust, which was essential for the more intensive activities scheduled for the day. The warm-up encouraged a deeper sense of connection and comfort among the participants, allowing them to express themselves more openly. Following this, there was a discussion on the conceptual basis of drama therapy, where Ms. Deepika provided insights into its theoretical underpinnings and how it is applied in therapeutic settings.
Next, the students witnessed a demo of psychodrama conducted by the facilitators and some students. This demonstration offered a practical insight into how psychodrama works in real-life therapeutic settings. Following the demo, the students were divided into teams of 9 members each. Each group then participated in a psychodrama workshop under Ms. Deepika's guidance. This session highlighted the crucial role of the therapist in ensuring the safety and emotional well-being of the participants. The psychodrama exercise facilitated deep emotional expression in a non-judgmental environment, unlocking hidden emotions and providing an intense yet healing experience.
The session was engaging and deeply insightful. The students left the workshop with a much deeper understanding of drama therapy, both in theory and practice. The experience was eye-opening, educational, and impactful, offering a hands-on approach to learning that will resonate with the students as they continue to explore alternative psychotherapeutic interventions.
Workshop on Psychological Well-Being
Date: 11 February 2025
The Department of Psychology organized a workshop on Psychological Well-Being on February 11, 2025. The event took place from 9:00 AM to 12:00 noon at the H2 Auditorium on the 7th floor of the Humanities Block and was specially designed for IV Semester MSc students specializing in Psychology, Counselling Psychology, and Clinical Psychology.
The session was led by Dr. Soumya Jacob P, an esteemed Assistant Professor from the Department of Psychology at CHRIST University, Bangalore. Dr. Soumya engaged participants in insightful discussions and practical approaches to enhancing mental health and overall well-being. The workshop included a variety of interactive activities, such as guided imagery exercises, engaging puzzles, and interactive videos, all aimed at fostering self-awareness and stress management. Additionally, students participated in group discussions and role-playing activities, which helped them apply psychological concepts in real-life scenarios.
The diverse range of activities ensured that the session was not only informative but also highly engaging and experiential, leaving participants with practical tools to integrate into their personal and professional lives.
Curriculum Advisory Committee (CAC) Meeting - A Step towards Academic Excellence
Date: 07 February 2025
The Department of Psychology, Kristu Jayanti College, Autonomous , successfully organised the Curriculum Advisory Committee Meeting on February 7, 2025, at Centre for Women’s Studies, 3rd Floor, Humanities Block. The Curriculum Advisory Committee Meeting at Kristu Jayanti College commenced with a silent prayer, setting a reflective and positive tone for the session. Dr. Sruthi Sivaraman, Head of the Department of Psychology, extended a warm welcome to the esteemed members, appreciating their presence and valuable contributions to the academic discourse. The session was graced by distinguished academicians Prof. Beatrice Sitther St. Anne’s Degree College for Women, Bengaluru and Ms. Minu Maria Assistant Professor, Kripanidhi College, Bengaluru, who provided valuable insights and recommendations for curriculum enhancement. The meeting aimed to evaluate and refine the academic curriculum, ensuring its alignment with contemporary educational standards and industry expectations. The expert panel shared their perspectives on integrating innovative teaching methodologies, research-driven learning, and skill-based training to enrich students' learning experiences. The session was attended by Mr. Vigraanth Bapu K.G., PG Programme Coordinator, Ms. Vimala M., UG Programme Coordinator, along with other distinguished faculty members from the department, including, Ms. Anitha Mary Mathew, Dr. Deepthi Vijayan, Ms. Sharmili Chatterjee, Dr. Anjana Sinha, Dr. Arjun Sekhar, Ms. Shreya Thomas, and Ms. Lakshmipriya E.
The Department of Psychology extends its heartfelt gratitude to the esteemed members for their time, expertise, and constructive feedback. Their contributions will play a pivotal role in shaping a robust and dynamic curriculum that fosters academic excellence. We look forward to continued collaboration in our pursuit of holistic education and student development.
Spiritual Awakening Through Mindfulness
Date: 07 February 2025
The Department of Psychology organized an insightful expert lecture on "Spiritual Awakening Through Mindfulness" for fourth-semester students specializing in MSc Psychology, MSc Counselling, and MSc Clinical Psychology on 7th February 2025. The session was expertly delivered by Dr. Syeda Arifa Tasneem, a respected Psychologist who serves as the Director of Clinical Psychology at Recoup Health and the Director of UNSAD Pvt Limited. Dr. Tasneem's lecture provided a comprehensive overview of mindfulness, emphasizing its significance in contemporary life. She traced the origins of mindfulness back to its roots in Buddhist traditions, explaining how these ancient practices can be applied in modern contexts. A key focus of the session was the exploration of the often-intertwined concepts of mindfulness and spiritual awakening. Dr. Tasneem elucidated the potential of mindfulness practices to facilitate a deeper understanding of oneself and one's place in the world, leading to a sense of spiritual awakening. The session was not merely theoretical; it provided students with practical experience in various mindfulness techniques
Enhancing Communication Skills
Date: 31 January 2025
The Centre for Life Skills Education, in association with the Department of Psychology (UG), hosted a training session on "Enhancing Communication skills”. The session was held on 31-01-2025, focused on VI Semester BA students. The session aimed to help students to understand the communication techniques and how to use it effectively.
The session began with an introduction by Prof.Nikhath Seema, Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology [UG] at Kristu Jayanti College, who effectively shared information on communication and how it can be enhanced with simple gestures.
The session was effective, allowing students to reflect and connect through the videos shown. The session concluded with a sense of accomplishment and gave lot more confidence to students as they move out in the field of building their career.
Training Programme “Pathway to Internship”
Date: 27 January 2025
The Department of Psychology recently held an Internship Training Program, "Pathway to Internship," for first-year MSc Clinical Psychology students to gear up for their internships. Mr. Vigraanth Bapu K G, PG Programme Coordinator and Assistant Professor at Department of Psychology, Kristu Jayanti College, highlighted the vital role internships play in offering hands-on experience, building key skills, fostering networking, and boosting career prospects. The students were familiarized with the Internship Manual, which detailed the goals of the internship, their responsibilities, the importance of supervision, and the need to maintain daily logs. Key discussions also revolved around ethical behaviour and conflict resolution during the internship.
The session also covered the submission guidelines for the internship report, providing a clear explanation of the structure and submission process, along with the department's policy on internships. Students were advised to include an introduction, a detailed account of their tasks, reflective learning, and a conclusion in their reports, which are due upon their return. The program wrapped up with an engaging Q & A session where students addressed their queries, leaving them better equipped and confident as they prepare for their internships.
Global Awareness Programme
Date: 22 January 2025
The Department of Psychology conducted a session titled “Global Awareness Program” for the final-year undergraduate students on 22.01.2025, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, in H2 Audi facilitated by Mr. Divay Tak, Business Development Manager at ISDC. The session was attended by 152 students and aimed to provide guidance on pursuing higher education abroad. The session covered critical topics, including the importance of pursuing a master's degree and its potential impact on career advancement, the benefits of studying abroad such as global exposure, quality education, and career opportunities, and a comprehensive overview of academic and non-academic prerequisites for applying to international programs. Students were guided on application timelines to ensure effective planning and were provided with step-by-step instructions on the application process, including documentation, entrance exams, and interviews. Insights into trending and in-demand courses in various countries were also shared, along with information about the International Skill Development Corporation (ISDC) and its role in supporting students. The session provided actionable insights into studying abroad, equipping students with the knowledge and confidence to pursue their global academic aspirations. The facilitator engaged with the audience through an interactive Q&A session, addressing individual queries and offering tailored advice.
Club hour activity- Movie screening
Date: 20 January 2025
On January 20th, 2025, the Psychology Club in collaboration with the Department of Psychology at Kristu Jayanti College organised a movie screening for BA Psychology and English students. The movie “Awakening” was screened and 49 students attended the screening. The film, based on a true story, explores the effects of neurological disorders and the emotional bonds between patients and caregivers.
After the screening, Ms. Deepmala Sutar led a discussion where students analyzed the psychological themes in the film, such as patient care, ethical dilemmas, and therapeutic interventions. The session provided students with an opportunity to connect real-world examples with their academic learning, fostering a deeper understanding of mental health and enhancing their empathy toward individuals facing neurological challenges.
Random Acts of Kindness
Date: 06 January 2025
In an inspiring and hilariously heartwarming initiative, 31 students of BA Psychology IV Semester Section B transformed the campus into a hub of kindness during their Psychology Club hour (12.00 -12.50PM) on 6th January, 2025 under the guidance of Class Animator, Ms.Athira Das. The activity, dubbed "Random Acts of Kindness," began with pairs of students picking chits, each containing a quirky task designed to spread positivity and joy.
From walking alongside unsuspecting teachers and striking up cheerful conversations to showering random compliments on fellow students, the participants left no stone unturned in their mission to brighten the day. One memorable moment involved a pair serenading a bewildered librarian with a dramatic "thank you" song, while another duo managed to turn a simple compliment into a campus-wide mystery about "who has the best smile."
The activity not only brought laughter and connection but also demonstrated the power of prosocial behavior. Teachers, staff, and even the security personnel were seen smiling and laughing as students carried out their tasks with an enthusiasm that was contagious.
“It’s not every day you see someone chasing you just to say you’re amazing,” joked one student. Another participant shared, “The look on the receptionist’s face when we handed her a sticky note that said, ‘You’re the real boss around here,’ was priceless!”
By the end of the hour, the campus was buzzing with good vibes and stories of unexpected kindness. The activity not only encouraged students to step out of their comfort zones but also proved that even small acts of kindness could make a big difference. As one student put it, “It was like a flash mob of happiness—and we were the performers!”
Indeed, the BA Psychology students have left a lasting impression, one complement and laugh at a time.
Workshop on Basic Counselling Skills- Positive Asset Search Skill
Date: 19 December 2024
The Department of Psychology at Kristu Jayanti College, Autonomous, Bangalore, organised an insightful workshop titled “Basic Counselling Skills- Positive asset search skill” on December 19th, 2024 for 59 students of M.Sc Psychology. The resource person for the workshop was Ms. Angeetha, Assistant professor, Department of Psychology.
Ms. Krishnan emphasized the importance of incorporating positive aspects into the counselling process, aiming to help clients identify and utilize their strengths to enhance their well-being. She explained the relevance of humanistic approaches in counselling, particularly the importance of recognizing client strengths within their support systems. The session provided an in-depth understanding of how to focus on clients' positive behaviors and encouraged the use of techniques such as Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) and Appreciative Inquiry to explore solutions.
The session was highly interactive, with practical examples and discussions that facilitated deeper learning. Students were encouraged to practice active listening and focus on positive aspects during their client interactions, further reinforcing the value of a strength-based approach in therapy. The session enhanced students’ understanding of the Positive Asset Search concept and its application in counselling. By linking humanistic approaches with techniques like SFBT and Appreciative Inquiry, students were better equipped to use these methods to focus on client strengths, fostering a more solution-oriented and positive therapeutic environment.
Workshop on Basic Counselling Skills - Confrontation Skills
Date: 19 December 2024
The Department of Psychology at Kristu Jayanti College, Autonomous, Bangalore, organised an insightful workshop titled “Basic Counselling Skills- Confrontation Skills” on December 19th, 2024 for 59 students of M.Sc Psychology. The resource person for the workshop was Ms.Athira Das, Assistant professor, Department of Psychology.
Ms. Das emphasized the importance of empathic confrontation in addressing discrepancies between clients' verbal and non-verbal communication, as well as exploring cultural contexts and internal conflicts. She discussed how confrontation, when used appropriately, can help bring about positive change while also addressing resistance in clients. The session provided valuable techniques for creating a supportive environment that encourages constructive dialogue and facilitates meaningful transformation.
Practical activities were incorporated into the session, allowing participants to practice using confrontation effectively without causing discomfort. These activities demonstrated how to engage clients in a way that fosters understanding and supports the therapeutic process.
The session deepened students’ understanding of confrontational skills in counselling, particularly how to use empathic confrontation to address discrepancies and resistance. By engaging in practical exercises, students gained the confidence and tools to apply these skills effectively, ensuring a constructive and supportive approach in real-world counselling scenarios.
Extension Activity: Visit to Diya Ghar Pre-School Centre NGO
Date: 19 December 2024
The IV Semester M.Sc. Counselling Psychology students (44 participants) visited Diya Ghar NGO’s centers in Bengaluru for an extension activity aimed at engaging children in interactive and educational sessions. The activities included action-based rhymes, hygiene role-play with toys, and animated storytelling sessions using picture books.
The visit promoted motor skill development, language comprehension, hygiene awareness, and moral values like sharing and kindness. Children demonstrated improved hygiene practices, enhanced listening and critical thinking skills, and boosted creativity and curiosity. The enthusiastic participation of the children and students alike created a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere. The activity not only benefited the children but also offered students a valuable opportunity to apply their skills in a real-world setting.
Workshop on Basic Counselling Skills- Paraphrasing and Summarizing
Date: 18 December 2024
The Department of Psychology at Kristu Jayanti College, Autonomous, Bangalore, organised an insightful workshop titled “Basic Counselling Skills- Paraphrasing and Summarizing” on December 18th, 2024 for 59 students of M.Sc Psychology. The resource person for the workshop was Ms. Sreelakshmi, Assistant professor, Department of Psychology.
Ms. Sreelakshmi emphasized the significance of active listening, empathy, observation, and feedback as foundational skills in counselling. She highlighted how these elements form the basis of a strong therapeutic relationship. The session placed special focus on paraphrasing and summarizing, explaining how these techniques are vital for clarifying and validating the client's thoughts and feelings. By using these skills, counsellors can ensure that they accurately understand the client’s message and provide appropriate responses.
The session provided practical guidance on how to use paraphrasing and summarizing effectively in real-world counselling scenarios, allowing students to practice these skills in a supportive learning environment.
The session enhanced students' understanding of paraphrasing and summarizing in counselling. By linking these techniques to the broader skills of active listening, empathy, observation, and feedback, students were better equipped to apply them effectively in their future counselling practice, ensuring clearer communication and stronger client relationships.
Workshop on Basic Counselling Skills-Reflection of Feeling
Date: 17 December 2024
The Department of Psychology at Kristu Jayanti College, Autonomous, Bangalore, organised an insightful workshop titled “Basic Counselling Skills- Reflection of Feeling” on December 17th, 2024 for 59 students of M.Sc Psychology. The resource person for the workshop was Dr. Arjun Sekhar P. M., Assistant professor, Department of Psychology.
Dr. Arjun emphasized the importance of identifying fundamental emotions and feelings, highlighting their crucial role in building a strong therapeutic alliance between the counsellor and the client. He provided students with valuable insights into how emotions and feelings impact the counselling process and the relationship between the two parties. Adopting a practical approach, Dr. Arjun guided students to understand the significance of reflecting feelings within a therapeutic context.
The session also served as a platform for students to implement previously acquired skills, allowing them to practice and apply their knowledge in real-world counselling scenarios.
The session helped students gain a deeper understanding of the Reflection of Feelings skill in counselling. By linking emotions to the therapeutic process and giving students the opportunity to apply their learning, the session enhanced their ability to integrate this crucial skill effectively in future counselling situations.
Workshop on Basic Counselling Skills-Reflection of Content
Date: 16 December 2024
The Department of Psychology at Kristu Jayanti College, Autonomous, Bangalore, organised an insightful workshop titled “Basic Counselling Skills- Reflection of Content” on December 16th, 2024 for 59 students of M.Sc Psychology. The resource person for the workshop was Ms. Sharmili Chaterjee, Assistant professor, Department of Psychology.
Ms. Sharmili discussed the essential counselling skill of reflection of content, emphasizing its importance in ensuring that the counsellor accurately understands and mirrors the client's words. She provided detailed insights into the various techniques used in reflecting content, ensuring students grasped the nuances of this skill. To enhance the learning experience, Ms. Sharmili engaged students in practical exercises within the class, where they actively practiced the skill. The practice tasks included multilingual scenarios, allowing students to explore the cultural relevance and application of reflection of content across different linguistic contexts.
The session helped students gain a deeper understanding of the reflection of content skill in counselling. By practicing this technique in various contexts, particularly through multilingual tasks, students were better prepared to apply this skill effectively in real-world counselling situations, taking into account cultural diversity.
Workshop on Basic Counselling Skills-Questioning
Date: 16 December 2024
The Department of Psychology at Kristu Jayanti College, Autonomous, Bangalore, organised an insightful workshop titled “Basic Counselling Skills- Questioning” on December 16th, 2024 for 59 students of M.Sc Psychology. The resource person for the workshop was Ms. Pooja D G, Assistant professor, Department of Psychology.
Through extensive use of interactive activities, Ms. Pooja elaborated on the counselling skill of questioning, emphasizing its importance in gathering information and facilitating the counselling process. She provided a detailed explanation of the various types of questioning, including open-ended, closed-ended, and probing questions, and demonstrated how these can be effectively used in different contexts. To reinforce the learning, Ms. Pooja encouraged students to practice these skills through various case studies, helping them gain confidence in their application.
The session equipped students with a deeper understanding of the questioning technique in counselling, providing them with practical skills to ask the right questions in real-world counselling situations. The hands-on approach using case studies enabled students to prepare for the effective use of these skills in their future professional practice.
Workshop on Basic Counselling Skills-Ch and Mse
Date: 14 December 2024
The Department of Psychology at Kristu Jayanti College, Autonomous, Bangalore, organised an insightful workshop titled “Basic Counselling Skills- Case History and Mental Status Examination” on December 14th, 2024 for 59 students of M.Sc Psychology. The resource person for the workshop was Ms. Soumya Simon, Assistant professor, Department of Psychology.
Ms. Soumya began the session by revisiting the concepts that were taught in the previous two sessions, ensuring that students had a strong foundation for the day's learning. She then introduced the students to the procedure and components of Case History Taking and Mental Status Examination, essential skills in the counselling process. Drawing from her professional expertise, Ms. Soumya provided real-life examples to enhance the learning experience, fostering thoughtful discussions among students.
She also ensured that the students thoroughly understood the concepts by offering insights into other related topics, highlighting the connections between the various aspects of counselling skills covered in the workshop. This holistic approach facilitated deeper understanding and applicability of the skills in real-world counselling scenarios.
The session effectively expanded students' knowledge on essential counselling techniques, particularly in the areas of Case History Taking and Mental Status Examination. It strengthened their ability to integrate these skills with other counselling practices, preparing them to apply their learning in practical settings.
Field visit to Sneha Jyothi Ashraya
Date: 13 December 2024
On 13th December 2024, the IV Clinical Psychology A class, comprising 50 students, conducted a field visit to Sneha Jyothi Ashraya, an orphanage dedicated to supporting children in need. The visit aimed to foster community engagement and empower the children through creative and educational activities. The day began with an ice-breaking session to create a warm and welcoming environment, followed by physical activities, clapping exercises, and drawing sessions to encourage self-expression and creativity. Group singing added a lively and cheerful atmosphere. Psych-education sessions on hygiene and personal safety, particularly focusing on “Good Touch and Bad Touch,” were conducted to enhance the children's well-being and self-awareness. A shared lunch breaks facilitated informal bonding, while a vibrant dance session celebrated joy and togetherness. The visit concluded with a group photo, marking the success of the event. The enthusiastic participation of the children and the support of the staff made this a meaningful experience, promoting compassion, community involvement, and lasting memories for everyone involved.
Workshop on Basic Counselling Skills-Attending Behavior
Date: 12 December 2024
The Department of Psychology at Kristu Jayanti College, Autonomous, Bangalore, organised an insightful workshop titled “Basic Counselling Skills- Attending Behaviour” on December 12th, 2024 for 59 Students of M.Sc Psychology. The resource person for the workshop was Ms. Shreya Thomas, Assistant professor, Department of Psychology.
The session commenced with an introduction to the fundamental counselling skills, followed by a discussion of key topics such as laws pertaining to counselling settings and important codes of conduct that every counsellor should adhere to. Ms. Shreya provided a comprehensive overview of the stages of counselling, helping students understand the theoretical aspects before diving into practical applications.
One of the highlights of the workshop was the application-based activities, particularly the role-playing exercises. Through these activities, students were able to practice the techniques of active listening and attending, reinforcing the theoretical knowledge gained during the session. This hands-on experience allowed students to refine their skills in a simulated counselling environment, enhancing their preparedness for real-life scenarios.
Workshop on Basic Counselling Skills-Observation
Date: 12 December 2024
The Department of Psychology at Kristu Jayanti College, Autonomous, Bangalore, organised an insightful workshop titled “Basic Counselling Skills- Observation” on December 12th, 2024 for 59 students of M.Sc Psychology. The resource person for the workshop was Naw Carolina Ashu, Assistant professor, Department of Psychology.
Ms. Ashu introduced students to the vital counselling skill of observation, emphasizing the importance of noticing client cues and behaviours. She used audio-visual aids to demonstrate how these cues can inform the counselling process. To reinforce the learning, role-play exercises were conducted, allowing students to learn how to maintain sensitivity and follow appropriate protocols in various counselling situations.
Guest Lecture on ABA Techniques in Child and Adolescent Intervention
Date: 15 November 2024
The Department of Psychology, Kristu Jayanti College, Bengaluru, organized an insightful guest lecture titled "ABA Techniques in Child and Adolescent Intervention" for the students of III Semester M.Sc Clinical Psychology on November 15, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The session was held at H-1.
The guest speaker, Dr. Anand Siddaiah, Associate Professor at the Department of Psychology, Reva University, Bengaluru, and Director of the Student Counselling Centre, shared his expertise on the application of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in therapeutic and intervention settings for children and adolescents.
Dr. Anand Siddaiah's comprehensive presentation covered fundamental ABA principles and their practical implementation in addressing behavioral challenges among children and adolescents. The session also emphasized the significance of early intervention strategies to foster better developmental outcomes.
The interactive session provided students with valuable insights and practical tools for clinical application, enriching their academic and professional journey in the field of psychology.
The Department extends its gratitude to Dr. Anand Siddaiah for his invaluable contribution and to all the participants who made this event a success.
Guest Lecture on Cognitive and Psycho-Social Development Across Lifespan
Date: 15 November 2024
The Department of Psychology successfully organized an enlightening guest lecture on the topic Cognitive and Psycho-Social Development Across Lifespan by Dr. Aditi Singh. This engaging session brought together students to explore the intricacies of cognitive and psycho-social aspects of human development from infancy to late adulthood.
Dr. Aditi Singh delivered a comprehensive lecture, shedding light on the topics such as Milestones in cognitive development during childhood and adolescence, Piaget’s cognitive development theory and its applications, Erik Erikson's psycho-social stages of development and their relevance in modern contexts, The impact of socio-cultural factors on cognitive and emotional growth and Strategies to support healthy development across various life phases. Dr. Aditi emphasized the significance of experiential learning and exhorted active participation through case studies and real-life examples.
The session concluded with Dr. Aditi Singh answering questions, addressing participants' curiosities, and emphasizing the importance of lifelong learning, critical thinking, and empathy in understanding and addressing the diverse challenges individuals face at different stages of life. Dr. Aditi also urged the audience to remain curious, continue exploring interdisciplinary approaches, and apply their knowledge to contribute meaningfully to the field of psychology.
Workshop on Transcendental Meditation
Date: 14 November 2024
The Department of Psychology at Kristu Jayanti College, Autonomous, Bangalore, organised an insightful workshop titled “The Psychology of Meditation and Practice” on November 14, 2024 for M.Sc Clinical Psychology. The resource person for the workshop was Dr. Gopukumar Kumarpillai, a distinguished consultant neuropsychologist at Bangalore Neuro Centre.
Dr. Gopukumar’s workshop focused on the evidence-based benefits of meditation, particularly its positive effects on stress, anxiety, and depression. He explored the concept of the mind as an interconnected entity influencing behavior and emotional health, and traced meditation’s evolution across spiritual traditions like Buddhism and Sufism, emphasizing its goal of self-realization and liberation. The workshop introduced various meditation techniques, including mindfulness, concentration, and Pranayama (breath control), offering practical guidance on their use for different psychological needs. Dr. Gopukumar also highlighted meditation’s benefits for brain activity, relaxation, emotional regulation, and overall mental health.
The session concluded with interactive stress management exercises, such as the 4-7-8 breathing technique, grounding exercises, and the relaxation response. These activities equipped students with practical tools for stress assessment and management, making meditation a valuable addition to psychological practice. Overall, the workshop deepened students’ understanding of meditation’s multifaceted benefits and its potential integration into clinical settings.
Guest Lecture on Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
Date: 13 November 2024
The Psychology Department hosted an insightful Online expert lecture on Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT): Practical Approaches to Change by Ms. Monika Umankantha, a renowned Clinical Psychologist. The session provided a comprehensive understanding of SFBT principles, techniques, and applications, particularly in therapeutic and counselling contexts.
Ms. Umankantha discussed the core concepts of SFBT, including the focus on clients' strengths, resources, and solutions rather than problems. She highlighted the significance of goal-setting, the "miracle question," and scaling techniques in facilitating meaningful conversations with clients. Practical examples demonstrated how SFBT can be implemented in diverse settings, from clinical practice to community work.
The session concluded with Ms. Umankantha answering questions, addressing participants' curiosities, and emphasizing the value of a solution-focused mindset. She encouraged future practitioners to remain adaptable and optimistic, emphasizing the importance of client collaboration in achieving positive change.
Observance on “International Stress Awareness Week”
Date: 13 November 2024
The Psychology Club organised its new initiative “PsychJam”, where concepts related to Psychology are displayed through various art forms. The students of III Semester BA Psychology participated in the observance by showcasing mime and dance. The dance depicted a sibling’s journey from childhood to old age, highlighting the unique factors shaping personal and professional identities. This was followed by a vibrant dance performance emphasizing the importance of understanding and managing stress for holistic well-being. The observance promoted awareness and resilience among participants.
The Stress Awareness Day wasn’t just about dissecting the challenges of modern life. It was about connection, understanding, and the little steps we can take—like a word of encouragement, a piece of chocolate, or a gentle nudge to ask for help.
Expert Talk on "Cancer Navigation: Effective Management Strategies"
Date: 12 November 2024
On 12th November 2024, an online session titled "Cancer Navigation: Effective Management Strategies" was conducted by Ms. Divya Rajkumar, Psycho-Oncologist at the Adyar Cancer Institute (WIA), Chennai, for III MSc Clinical Psychology students (A and B sections) at Kristu Jayanti College. The session, held from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, focused on key strategies for effectively managing the psychological and emotional challenges faced by cancer patients. Ms. Divya emphasized the importance of providing holistic care, including effective communication to understand patient needs, building resilience in both patients and caregivers, and adopting a patient-centered approach to enhance overall well-being. The session equipped students with essential management strategies to approach cancer care with empathy and professionalism, ensuring comprehensive support for individuals navigating their cancer journey.
Workshop On Energy Healing
Date: 11 November 2024
A workshop on Energy Healing was organised by the Department of Psychology on 11th November 2024 for the students of MSc Clinical Psychology. The resource person for the workshop was Ms Deepika Murthy, the founder of Alp-Viraam and an alternate psychotherapist who practises wellness through various modalities such as art, music, movement, theatre, energy and EFT.
The workshop blended scientific theories with practical applications. It began with an activity to demonstrate the emotional impact of vibrations and energy. Ms. Murthy explained the scientific basis of energy at the atomic, molecular, and cellular levels, grounding energy healing in science.
She introduced the concepts of cosmic triad, aura and its layers, and discussed the role of chakras, meridians, and naadis in maintaining wellness. Emphasizing the link between chakra imbalances and physical ailments, she stressed the importance of balancing energy centers for health.
The session also covered the layers of the mind beyond Freud’s model and included grounding techniques essential for energy healing. The workshop concluded with an experiential exercise, allowing participants to feel the energy generated through the palm chakra and experience the influence of one’s energy field on others.
Overall, the workshop was highly informative, addressing the scientific basis of energy healing, dispelling myths, and providing practical knowledge for future practitioners.
Guest Lecture on Psychotherapy Crucibles
Date: 11 November 2024
Mr. Shafeer’s lecture on focused on the key factors contributing to the success of psychotherapy, beginning with patient-specific elements such as mental health beliefs, preferences, and demographics (age, gender, socioeconomic status). He explained how these factors shape clients' engagement in therapy and the need for therapists to adapt their approach to each individual's background.
He then discussed therapist-specific factors, including outcome expectations, self-disclosure, and emotional expression, stressing that maintaining a balanced, positive outlook while managing countertransference is crucial for effective therapy. Mr. Shafeer emphasized the importance of cultural competence and essential therapist qualities like empathy, genuineness, and unconditional positive regard, which form the foundation of a strong therapeutic alliance.
The lecture also highlighted the significance of relationship factors, particularly the "real relationship" between therapist and client. By cultivating dyadic congruence and interpersonal complementarity, therapists can enhance treatment outcomes through genuine, collaborative interactions.
Guest Lecture on Intelligence Theories in the Modern World
Date: 11 November 2024
The Psychology Department hosted an engaging expert lecture on Intelligence Theories in the Modern World: Understanding Their Relevance and Applications by Ms. P. Meenakshi. The session provided an in-depth look at classic and contemporary intelligence theories and their practical implications, particularly within clinical and educational settings.
Ms. Meenakshi discussed key intelligence assessments, including the Seguin Form Board Test (SFBT) and Malin's Intelligence Scale for Indian Children (MISC), and the Binet-Kamat Test detailing their theoretical foundations and real-world uses. Participants explored how these tools can be utilized to assess cognitive strengths and guide effective intervention planning. An interactive activity allowed attendees to apply theoretical knowledge to case studies, enhancing practical understanding.
The session concluded with Ms. Meenakshi addressing audience questions, clarifying doubts, and emphasizing the thoughtful application of intelligence theories in professional practice.
Guest Lecture on Behaviour Therapy
Date: 05 November 2024
The Psychology Department organized an insightful expert lecture on Behaviour Therapy by Mr. Mishab A. K. The resource person delivered a resourceful expert lecture on Behaviour Therapy, engaging participants through a dynamic Q&A session that explored foundational concepts such as “What is Behaviour Therapy?” and “What is Behaviour?” Mr. Mishab He emphasized the distinction between observable behavior and subjective labels, providing clarity on the importance of focusing on actions rather than labels. The lecture delved into various assessment methods including observation, questionnaires, and functional analysis, as well as Kanfer and Saslow’s Behaviour Analysis system.
Mr. Mishab discussed criteria for selecting target behaviors and highlighted key stages of behavior analysis, focusing on behavioral excess, deficit, and asset. Practical tools like the Behavior Analysis Proforma were introduced to help participants document response strength and reinforcement patterns. An interactive activity followed, where attendees analyzed hypothetical target behaviors in terms of access to attention, tangibles, automatic reinforcement, and escape from aversive situations. The session concluded with an overview of first-generation interventions in Behaviour Therapy, such as reinforcement and systematic desensitization, complemented by practical examples.
Workshop on Dance and Movement Therapy
Date: 04 November 2024
The Department of Psychology organised a workshop on Dance and Movement Therapy on 4th November 2024. Dr. Diana Tholoor, a corporate trainer, dancer, Movement and Dance Therapist, Theatre Person, and Socio-Documentary Filmmaker, was the resource person. 68 postgraduate students from the Department of Psychology attended the workshop.
The workshop commenced with an introduction about the key qualities of an effective instructor, such as confidence, a strong voice, expressive gestures, and good posture. Dr. Thaloor subsequently examined the therapeutic potential of dance and movement therapy, highlighting its applicability across diverse populations, including the elderly, individuals with cognitive or developmental disabilities, and children with special needs. The session included an experiential demonstration illustrating the impact of music on movement dynamics, specifically utilizing a clapping exercise to demonstrate how rhythmic patterns influence the speed, intensity, and coordination of physical responses. This exercise provided empirical insight into how structured rhythmic stimuli can modulate motor function and behavioural outcomes. Participants were split into groups and asked to create a poster and presentation with a group name, a therapeutic concept, a target population, and key takeaways from the workshop. Each group also showcased a simple dance routine designed for their target population. Overall, the workshop was a highly enriching experience, seamlessly blending theoretical knowledge with hands-on application. It provided valuable insights into the benefits of dance and movement therapy, emphasizing the importance of emotional expression and the pivotal role of self-confidence in effective practice.
Workshop on Family Intervention Assessments
Date: 29 October 2024
On the 29th of October 2024, the Department of Psychology organized a workshop on Family Intervention Assessments for III MSc. Clinical Psychology students. The session was held from 1:40 PM to 4:30 PM in the M3 Auditorium, 3rd Floor, Main Block, and was led by Dr. Shobita Shanthakumari, Principal of the Global School of Counselling, Bangalore. Dr. Shobita's experience in family therapy helped provide the students with a deep understanding of family dynamics and assessment techniques. The workshop began with an introduction to family assessments, explaining how they provide opportunities to gather detailed information about family structures and relationships. Dr. Shobita emphasized the importance of understanding systems and subsystems within families, and the session distinguished between two key assessment tools: the structural map, which offers relational insights, and the genogram, which provides a physical representation of the family.
The students learned how boundaries in family assessments are transitory and how these boundaries evolve at various stages of the family life cycle. A portion of the workshop focused on rapid brain development that occurs between the ages of 0-5 and 15-18 years, the latter being a time when children are more prone to risk-taking behaviors, often leading families to seek therapy. Dr. Shobita explained how, in many cases, a single family member present with symptoms that reflect broader family problems. Leadership patterns within the family were another key topic, as these influence both therapy and decision-making processes. Power structures, the influence of individual family members, and decision-making dynamics were discussed in the context of family assessments, highlighting the importance of understanding how authority and influence can shape family interactions. Additionally, the session explored family communication patterns, identifying how conflicts often arise due to unclear or indirect communication. Both verbal and non-verbal communication were analyzed, with a focus on clarity, openness, and equality of participation within the family system.
Dr. Shobita emphasized that much of family communication—up to 85%—is non-verbal. She further discussed the concept of paradoxical communication and its implications for therapy. A key highlight of the workshop was a role-play activity in which students simulated a family therapy session. Dr. Shobita acted as a co-therapist, guiding the students through a scenario involving generational conflict, lack of communication, and triangulation. The role-play allowed participants to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical setting, offering insights into real-world family dynamics. The session also introduced the concept of circular questioning, a technique used to identify underlying issues within families by exploring differences and making connections between behaviors, beliefs, and relationships. We learned the importance of asking circular questions at various life cycle stages to gain a deeper understanding of family problems. By the end of the workshop, we had gained a thorough understanding of family intervention assessments, including how to map family structures, assess communication patterns, and understand leadership dynamics. The interactive nature of the session, combined with practical exercises, ensured that we left the auditorium with a deeper understanding and added skills and tools that can complement our future clinical practice.
Expert Talk on Mental Health Laws
Date: 29 October 2024
The Department of Psychology at Kristu Jayanti College hosted an insightful expert talk titled "Mental Health Laws" on October 29, 2024. The session was led by Ms. Bhavya Gunashekar, an esteemed Assistant Professor from Kristu Jayanti College of Law, who brought a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the discussion.
The talk aimed to enhance understanding of mental health legislation and its implications for individuals and society. Ms. Gunashekar covered crucial topics, including the legal frameworks surrounding mental health, rights of individuals with mental illnesses, and the responsibilities of mental health professionals under the law. The session highlighted the importance of legal awareness in promoting mental well-being and protecting the rights of vulnerable populations.
Participants engaged in an interactive dialogue, allowing them to clarify doubts and gain deeper insights into the complex relationship between mental health and the law. Ms. Gunashekar emphasized the need for a collaborative approach in mental health care, where legal, medical, and psychological perspectives converge to create a supportive environment for individuals facing mental health challenges.
The event was well-attended by students and faculties, reflecting the growing interest in understanding the legal dimensions of mental health. Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing appreciation for the depth of knowledge shared by Ms. Gunashekar and the relevance of the topic in today's context.
This expert talk is a part of the Department of Psychology’s ongoing efforts to foster awareness and education on important mental health issues. The department looks forward to organizing more such enriching sessions in the future, aimed at equipping participants with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the evolving landscape of mental health legislation.
Expert Talk on Cancer Navigation - Addressing Key Issues and Concerns
Date: 29 October 2024
On 29th October 2024, the MSc Clinical Psychology students at Kristu Jayanti College attended an insightful session on "Cancer Navigation: Addressing Key Issues and Concerns," led by Divya Rajkumar, an experienced psycho-oncologist. Conducted via Zoom, this expert talk focused on the theme "Navigating Cancer with Compassion and Resilience" and provided an in-depth look at the complex psychological, social, and emotional challenges faced by cancer patients and their families.
The session explored the profound impact of cancer on patients’ daily lives, emotional well-being, and the physical toll of treatment. Divya Rajkumar highlighted the crucial role healthcare professionals play in supporting mental and emotional health throughout the cancer journey—from diagnosis to survivorship. Students gained valuable insights into the often-overlooked needs within cancer care, preparing them to contribute to compassionate, patient-centered support in their future roles.
Redefining Wellness in Health Psychology: Exploring Eating Behaviors and Substance Use
Date: 29 October 2024
The Department of Psychology at Kristu Jayanti College recently held an online expert talk titled "Redefining Wellness: The Intersection of Eating Behaviors and Substance Use," on October 29, 2024. Led by Dr. Neeraj Panwar, Assistant Professor at Christ University, Delhi-NCR, this virtual session brought together 102 beneficiaries, primarily undergraduate psychology students, who gained valuable insights into the field of health psychology and its application to real-life challenges. Dr. Panwar, a specialist in health psychology, discussed the intricate connections between eating behaviors and substance use, emphasizing the impact of these behaviors on overall wellness. He illustrated how lifestyle choices are shaped by an interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors, shedding light on modern issues such as stress, obesity, and substance dependency.
The session aimed to deepen students' understanding of health psychology, emphasizing its role in promoting positive health behaviors and preventing illness. Dr. Panwar encouraged students to reflect on their own lifestyle choices and provided practical strategies for achieving a balanced, healthy life, which they could also advocate among peers. The session’s interactive format included a lively Q&A, where students explored topics such as stress management and healthy lifestyle practices. Dr. Panwar also shared insights into career paths within health psychology, inspiring attendees to consider roles in mental health, behavioral sciences, and wellness advocacy. By fostering awareness of health psychology principles, this online session successfully contributed to students’ academic growth and personal development, supporting Kristu Jayanti College's mission of nurturing holistic learning experiences.
Field Visit to Snehadeep Trust for the Disabled
Date: 26 October 2024
A field visit to Snehadeep Trust for the disabled was arranged for students of III semester BA PYEN and PYJO on 26/10/2024. There were 50 students who were a part of the visit. Ms. Leticia, the Administrator & Supervisor oriented the students about the organization and its functions. She mentioned about the visually impaired students who were currently pursuing their studies despite the challenges that were faced by them. The students donated rice, wheat flour and other essential products along with stationery items. Students also sang songs for the specially abled students which was received with beaming smiles and applause. The students had the opportunity to watch and learn the procedure of brail writing and the usage of computers and smart phones by the blind students. Students were exposed to interactions with the visually impaired individuals and also had an opportunity to play Cricket with them using the ball specially made for the blind. Overall, it was a fruitful experiential learning for the students just as they also got to involve themselves in various activities and charitable work as major outcomes of the field visit.
Proprium Series Guest Lecture on Animal-Assisted Therapy
Date: 25 October 2024
The Department of Psychology at Kristu Jayanti College organised an insightful guest lecture under the Proprium Series on October 25, 2024, titled "Animal-Assisted Therapy" for the 3rd Semester M.Sc. Clinical Psychology students. The session was led by Dr. Hemangi Narayan Narvekar, Assistant Professor at Christ University, Bengaluru, an esteemed Clinical Psychologist and an experienced Animal-Assisted Therapy Practitioner.
Dr. Narvekar provided an in-depth exploration of how animal-assisted therapy can serve as an effective intervention for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental conditions. Through her clinical insights, she illustrated how interactions with therapy animals enhance social, emotional, and sensory responses, fostering improvements in communication and behavioral regulation. The session was a valuable opportunity for the students to gain specialized knowledge on integrating therapeutic animals into neurodevelopmental interventions, expanding their understanding of holistic and evidence-based practices in clinical psychology.
Workshop on Empowering Compassion: Psychological first aid for crisis response
Date: 25 October 2024
The Department of Psychology organized a workshop on "Empowering Compassion: Psychological First Aid for Crisis Response" on 25th October 2024, for III Semester MSc Psychology students. Renowned Consultant Psychologist, Ms. Ambika Avadam from Swasthmind and Manonetra, led the workshop, equipping students with essential skills in crisis intervention and emotional support. Through interactive sessions and role-playing exercises, participants gained valuable insights into identifying signs of emotional distress and providing compassionate responses.
The workshop received enthusiastic feedback from students, who appreciated the practical and relevant training. This initiative reinforces the department's commitment to developing students' expertise in addressing mental health concerns. We extend our gratitude to Ms. Avadam for sharing her expertise and to our students for their active participation. This workshop is a testament to our department's dedication to fostering compassionate and skilled professionals in the field of psychology.
Workshop on "Inflation, Investment, & Technology"
Date: 25 October 2024
Fr. Jais V. Thomas delivered an insightful presentation on the interplay between inflation, investment, and technology, emphasizing their significant impact on economic growth and societal development. He highlighted that inflation, the rise in general price levels, can deter investment by creating uncertainty. The presentation further elaborated on how investment is crucial for economic stability and growth.
The lecture also explored the psychological implications of these economic concepts. Understanding how inflation and investment decisions are influenced by technology provides insights into consumer behaviour, decision-making processes, and organizational strategies. Fr. Jais concluded by encouraging students to consider these economic factors' broader psychological impacts, such as stress, financial decision-making, and adaptability to technological change.
Overall, the presentation emphasized a holistic understanding of economic dynamics, urging students to appreciate the interconnection between economic theories and psychological principles.
visit to the Liza’s home (mental & physically challenged care -support home)
Date: 24 October 2024
The visit to the Liza’s home (mental & physically challenged care -support home) was an enlightening experience. The environment was welcoming and supportive, fostering a sense of safety for the residents. Staff members displayed compassion and professionalism, creating a positive atmosphere.
The Resident Engagement was encouraging as we could see residents actively participating in group activities. This not only promotes social skills but also enhances their sense of belonging. The Staff members demonstrated effective communication strategies tailored to individual residents, showing adaptability and understanding of diverse needs.
We also saw a Holistic Approach where the facility's focus on both mental and physical well-being through structured activities and wellness programs which was commendable.
Regular training sessions on the latest mental health practices for staff could enhance their skills and effectiveness in supporting residents. Overall, the visit was highly positive and provided valuable insights into the workings of the mental health support home. The commitment to creating a nurturing environment was evident, and with some adjustments, the facility can further enhance the quality of care provided.
Expert Lecture on Emotional Development in Children
Date: 22 October 2024
On 22nd October, the Department of Psychology organized an expert lecture on "Emotional Development in Children" from 3:40 to 4:30 p.m. for students of PYJO and PYEN. The lecture featured Dr. Pavana S., consultant psychiatrist and founder of Akshaya Medical Centre.
Dr. Pavana began the lecture with an insightful overview of emotions and the various stages of emotional development. She emphasized how emotional expression evolves and illustrated the concept with relatable, everyday examples. The lecture focused on the clinical application of emotional self-regulation. She explained the importance of brain development by stating that ‘Brain is the powerhouse of the body.” The discussion also covered moral development and the challenges children face in their emotional growth, especially in the context of attachment and the impact of childhood trauma. Dr. Pavana explored the unique challenges adolescents face in managing emotions and highlighted how family dynamics and parenting styles, particularly authoritative parenting, can significantly influence emotional regulation. She further delved into the role of emotional intelligence in personal development, emphasizing the use of Socratic questioning in therapy and the importance of understanding a child’s history.
Manodarshan 2024: Psychology exhibition
Date: 08 October 2024
On 8th October 2024, the Department of Psychology hosted Manodarshan, An annual Psychology Exhibition, in the M1, M2, and M3 auditoriums. The event featured an impressive display of academic models and cultural performances, throughout the day, with a total of 234 participants presenting models and 131 participants engaging in cultural activities. The exhibition attracted a diverse audience of students, faculty, and dignitaries from various departments.
The event was inaugurated by the Principal, Fr. Dr. Augustine George, who was joined by the Dean of Humanities and the Head of the Department of Psychology. The ceremony began with a ribbon-cutting, followed by an engaging speech by Father Principal, in which he lauded the students for their enthusiasm and creativity in explaining complex psychological concepts through their models. His interaction with the participants reflected his genuine interest in the students' work and the practical applications of psychology.
The cultural performances, held in the M3 auditorium, showcased an array of psychology-themed acts, including mime, skits, dance, drama, short film screenings, animations, and group discussions. These performances highlighted various psychological concepts and provided an entertaining yet educational experience for the audience.
The exhibition also featured a wide range of still and working models, created by both undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) students. These models, based on key psychological theories and phenomena, were presented with creativity and clarity, offering visitors valuable insights into various aspects of psychology.
In the valedictory session, awards were presented to the winners of the model presentations. V semester BA Psychology B section and III Semester Clinical Psychology A section students won the 1st price for their working models Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and The Recall Riddle. The still model winners were the V semester PYJO students who presented a model on Heuristics.
Overall, Manodarshan 2024 provided students with valuable insights into psychological theories and their real-world applications. The creative and detailed models offered a hands-on learning experience. The event was a resounding success, with highly positive feedbacks from visitors and dignitaries alike.
Expert Talk on Coping With Stress: Pathway to Resilience
Date: 04 October 2024
The expert talk on "Coping with Stress: Pathway to Resilience," held on 4th October 2024, provided an enriching experience for the III MSc Clinical Psychology students at the HI Auditorium. The session explored the complex nature of stress, examining its psychological and physiological effects and the common stressors that students and professionals face in both academic and clinical environments. The resource person highlighted the importance of identifying these stressors early and shared practical strategies to manage stress through problem-focused and emotion-focused coping techniques. Additionally, the talk emphasized the role of mindfulness, relaxation exercises, and other resilience-building practices that are crucial for both personal well-being and professional competency. Students were encouraged to actively participate in the discussion, sharing their own experiences with stress and learning how to integrate these tools into their future clinical practice. By the end of the session, students were equipped with actionable insights and techniques to enhance their ability to cope with stress and foster resilience, essential skills for their academic journey and future roles as mental health professionals.
Industry Visit to Nettur Technical Training Foundation (NTTF)
Date: 21 September 2024
Students of MSc Psychology (Industrial Psychology and HRM), Kristu Jayanti College, Autonomous visited the Nettur Technical Training Foundation (NTTF) in Peenya, Bangalore, on September 21, 2024, for an informational and edifying educational tour. The primary objective of the visit was to explore vocational training methodologies and understand the vital role that technical education plays in enhancing skill development and employability. During the visit, students toured the state-of-the-art workshops and laboratories, observing hands-on training in disciplines such as tool and die making, electronics, and mechatronics. Engaging with both faculty and trainees, students gained deeper acumen into the importance of experiential learning and the psychological benefits of skill-based education in boosting confidence and career readiness. This enriching experience offered the students a valuable perspective on how vocational education shapes the next generation of professionals.
Reel Making and Digital Poster Making Competition
Date: 14 to 20 September 2024
In observance of World Alzheimer’s Day, the Department of Psychology at Kristu Jayanti College organized two engaging online competitions for the students of Kristu Jayanti College: Reel Making and Digital Poster Making. The theme for the event, "Time to Act on Dementia, Time to Act on Alzheimer’s," highlighted the urgent need for awareness and action concerning Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
The competitions provided students with a unique platform to creatively express their understanding of the neurodegenerative conditions. Through visual and digital mediums, participants emphasized the importance of early intervention, support for those affected, and societal efforts in addressing Dementia and Alzheimer’s.
The Reel Making Competition saw outstanding entries, with the first-place prize awarded to a group of students from B.Sc. Psychology:
● Naina Limbu (23PSYA37)
● Deepika Thapa (23PSYA60)
● Pragati Hegde (23PSYA43)
● Reeya Sarki (23PSYA45)
● Sweta Mandal (23PSYA58)
● Trupti Mayee Patra (23PSYA53)
The second place was secured by Reyna Ann Reji (23DTSA50) from B.Sc. Data Science.
In the Digital Poster Making Competition, the first-place prize went to Richie Varghese Koshy (22PYEN44) from B.A. Psychology and English, while Divya Vijay (24MCAB18) from Computer Science claimed the second position.
Each submission reflecting originality, relevance to the theme, and powerful messages aimed at raising awareness. In recognition of their efforts, certificates of participation were awarded to all entrants. After a Thorough evaluation of the submissions, the winners and runners-up were announced on the 27th of September, with the top entries receiving special praise for their creativity and impact.
This initiative not only showcased the artistic talents of the students but also deepened their understanding of Dementia and Alzheimer’s, inspiring them to contribute to global health conversations and actions. The event was a resounding success, fostering awareness and a sense of social responsibility within the student community.
Special Lecture on Bridging Perspectives: The role of qualitative and quantitative research in Psychology
Date: 23 September 2024
Department of Psychology organized a 50 minutes Special lecture on Bridging Perspectives: The role of qualitative and quantitative research in Psychology for First -year undergraduate students pursuing Triple majors in 20/09/2024 from 1.40pm to 2.30pm, .in the Humanities Block HI Auditorium. The resource persons for the special lecture were Dr. Deepthi Vijayan and Dr. Arjun Shekhar, Teaching Faculty members of the Department of Psychology.
The students conceded an awareness about the fundamental research techniques specifically the qualitative and quantitative techniques used to conduct guided research projects and better understanding of their subjects. The speakers prioritized the importance of equipping themselves into the professional expertise for their upcoming academic journey.
Dr. Deepthi Vijayan quoted that “We can rely on qualitative methods only if we have sufficient duration of time to contribute which could guarantee the accuracy of the data.” Dr Arjun Shekhar highlighted the advantages of using quantitative methods –“how figures can be utilized to make a better understanding about a population with shorter period of time”. This lecture offers students a platform for learning through group activities which accelerated group participation by creating illustrations and role plays that emphasize the fundamental techniques utilised for research in the field of Psychology.
Orientation for UGC NET Psychology
Date: 23 September 2024
The Centre for UGC and CSIR NET/JRF Training in collaboration with the Department of Psychology held an hour of orientation on UGC NET Psychology for the first year MSc Psychology students, on 23.09.2024, from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM, in the Administration Block, A2 Auditorium. The session was facilitated by Ms. Ann Mary Jacob, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology and assisted by Dr. Nila Rajeev, Assistant Professor, Department of English, Kristu Jayanti College Autonomous.
The session began with a brief introduction to the Centre for UGC and CSIR NET/JRF Training, followed by an overview of the NET examination. The three categories of opportunities available to candidates upon qualifying the exam were outlined. The eligibility criteria for appearing in the exam were then discussed, along with the prescribed syllabus. The registration link was shared with the students, and information regarding the fees was provided. The session concluded with a Q&A segment.
38 students attended the session, which helped them understand the NET exam and provided clarity and confidence to pursue it as a possible future career.
International Lecture Series on Social Perception
Date: 17 to 20 September 2024
The Department of Psychology in collaboration with the Office of International and Domestic Relations organised a four day International Lecture Series for the first semester MSc Psychology students, from 17.09.2024 to 20.09.2024, in the Main Block, M4 Auditorium. The lectures were facilitated by Professor Pedro P Chamorro, University of Cordoba, Spain.
The series began with an introduction to social psychology, focusing on social perception and how individuals use verbal and non-verbal communication to understand others. Professor shared a personal story illustrating the challenges of interpreting unfamiliar cultural cues, thereby preparing students for an interactive exchange where students shared their own experiences, enriching the discussion.
The following day, session conferred about attribution theory, where internal and external attributions were examined, including Kelley's model of consistency, consensus, and distinctiveness. Case studies were introduced to provide practical insights, allowing students to apply theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios.
Building on this foundation, the next session delved deeper into causal attributions, exploring how internal factors like ability and effort, as well as external factors like task difficulty and luck, influence perceptions of success and failure. The session also highlighted attribution errors such as the fundamental attribution error and the actor-observer effect, offering a comprehensive understanding of common cognitive biases.
In the final lecture, the focus was on the cultural influences on behaviour, emphasizing the fundamental attribution error. The class explored cultural differences, comparing Indian and European customs, and how these shape beliefs, preferences, and personal identity, demonstrating the profound impact of culture on individual behavior.
Expert Talk on Genetic and Chromosomal Abnormalities – Down Syndrome, Phenylketonuria, and Sickle Cell Anemia
Date: 17 September 2024
The Department of Psychology at Kristu Jayanti College, Autonomous organized an insightful International Expert Talk on "Genetic and Chromosomal Abnormalities: Down Syndrome, Phenylketonuria, and Sickle Cell Anemia" on 17th September, 2024. The session was specially curated for 99 students of I B.Sc. Psychology (A & B) to enhance their understanding of genetic disorders and their psychological ramifications.
The talk was delivered by Mr. Stephen Tetteh Corley, a Registered Clinical Counselor and Professional School Counsellor from Savannah International Academy, Ghana. With extensive experience in mental health counseling, Mr. Corley shed light on the complexities of Down Syndrome, Phenylketonuria (PKU), and Sickle Cell Anemia. He elaborated on the genetic origins of these conditions, their impact on cognitive and emotional development, and the importance of early diagnosis and supportive care.
The event commenced at 11:00 AM IST in H1, Humanities Block, and saw enthusiastic participation from students and faculty alike. Mr. Corley provided a detailed overview of the challenges faced by individuals with genetic disorders, the role of healthcare professionals, and the significance of psychological interventions. The session was interactive, with students asking insightful questions regarding treatment methods and the psychological well-being of individuals affected by these conditions.
The talk concluded at 12:00 Noon IST, with a vote of thanks extended to Mr. Corley for his invaluable contribution. The department expressed its gratitude for his time and expertise, noting how beneficial the session was for students' academic growth. The event was a remarkable opportunity for students to gain a global perspective on genetics and psychology.
Workshop on Drama Therapy
Date: 12 September 2024
The Department of Psychology organized a Workshop on Drama Therapy on 12th September 2024. The resource person for the event was Ms. Deepika Murthy, Founder and Alternative Therapist at Alp-Viram. The Workshop was attended by 116 post graduate students from the Department of Psychology.
The session started with a warm-up activity that required students to move around the room and interact with other students. This activity encouraged the development of trust among the participants, which was essential for the more intensive activities scheduled for the day. It created an environment where the students felt comfortable to express themselves impulsively, following which, Ms. Deepika led a theoretical session on the principles of drama therapy.
The theoretical session was succeeded by role play which was the highpoint of the workshop. This session unfolded the critical role of a therapist in drama therapy, as Ms. Deepika skillfully guided the process, ensuring the safety and emotional well-being of those involved. As the role-play progressed, it was observed how drama therapy could unlock buried emotions and facilitate deep emotional expression in a non-judgmental environment. The weight of the session was palpable, and the students realised how effective and intense drama therapy can be for the clients. The intensity of the session was experienced and found to be particularly beneficial for clients who find it difficult to articulate their feelings.
The session was deeply engaging and insightful. The experience was therapeutic, eye-opening, and exceptionally educational, offering a hands-on approach to learning, as well as resonating with the students as they continued to explore alternative psychotherapeutic interventions.
Webinar on Application of Social Psychology in Current Scenarios
Date: 10 September 2024
The Department of Psychology organized an international webinar on ‘Application of Social Psychology in Current Scenarios’ on September 10, 2024. The resource person for the event was Dr. Chinchu C, Assistant Professor, Centre for Women’s Studies, Pondicherry University. The webinar was attended by the 62-final year, BA Psychology and English students from the Department of Psychology.
Dr. Chinchu introduced the basic concepts of research in psychology and what motivates psychologists to conduction research. Furthermore, he went on to discuss important research work in the field of Social Psychology and its contribution in society. He threw light on the existing disparity between research work and its application in the current scenarios. A commentary on lack of uninformed government policies by current research in the field of social psychology and psychology in general was pointed out, followed by a brainstorming session on what underwrites to this absence of translation of research into policy making was discussed and pooled from the students.
The session was perceptive and resourceful. The students resonated to the new found knowledge and expressed deep appreciation for the guidance offered on experiences that shall contribute to their professional growth.
Proprium Series Guest Lecture on Sensory Integration Therapy
Date: 04 September 2024
As part of the Abnormal Psychology subject, the Department of Psychology successfully hosted a guest lecture under the Proprium Series on Sensory Integration Therapy for V BA Psychology students. The event took place on the September 4th, 2024, and we had the privilege of welcoming Dr. Sakshi Bhatia, an esteemed expert in the field of sensory integration. Dr. Sakshi, who serves as the Director and Co-Founder of FutuReady Pediatric Intervention Services and Founder of UniqueMindz Early Intervention Center, shared her invaluable insights on the role of sensory integration therapy in addressing sensory processing dysfunctions. With over a decade of experience as a sensory integration certified therapy, Dr. Sakshi’s expertise in sensory processing, auditory interventions, and pediatric care made the session highly informative and engaging. The lecture focused on how sensory integration therapy helps children with sensory issues improve their daily functioning and overall quality of life. The session also explored the application of sensory integration therapy in addressing sensory processing issues, particularly in children. Dr. Sakshi also shared case studies and practical approaches, enriching the students’ understanding of the field. Overall, the session was highly informative and exceeded expectations. Students left with a deeper appreciation for sensory integration therapy and the critical role it plays in improving the quality of life for individuals with sensory processing issues.
Training Programme “Pathway to Internship”
Date: 03 September 2024
The Department of Psychology organized an Internship Training Program “Pathway to Internship” for final-year PG Psychology students to prepare them for their upcoming internships. Resource person Mr Vigraanth Bapu K G, PG Programme Coordinator and Assistant Professor, Kristu Jayanti College, Autonomous emphasized the importance of internships in providing real-world experience, developing essential skills, offering networking opportunities, and enhancing career exploration and employability. Students were introduced to the Internship Manual, which outlined the objectives of the internship, their roles and responsibilities, the importance of supervision, and maintaining daily logs. Ethical conduct and conflict resolution during the internship were also discussed.
Additionally, the orientation covered the submission guidelines for the internship report, explaining the structure, and the details for submission, along with the department's internship policy. Students were guided to include an introduction, detailed account of their activities, reflective learning, and a conclusion in their reports, which must be completed when they return from the internship. The program concluded with a Q&A session where students clarified their doubts, ensuring they are well-prepared to approach their internships with confidence.
International Webinar on Alternative Psychotherapy and Health
Date: 29 August 2024
The Department of Psychology organized an International webinar on Alternative Psychotherapy and Health on August 29, 2024. The resource person for the event was Dr. Kellie N. Kirksey, Founder & Chief Wellness Officer at Creative Wellness Solutions, LLC USA. The webinar was attended by 114 post graduate students from the Department of Psychology. Dr. Kirksey introduced a brief history of alternative psychotherapy. Furthermore, she shared how her practice of the same is inspired from different cultures across the globe and she predominately borrows techniques from her own culture. She demonstrated few intervention techniques that she uses in her professional practice and the rationale behind their use.
The session was engaging and deeply insightful. The live demonstration of interventions used in Holistic Psychotherapy made the learning experiential for the students. The students expressed their deep appreciation for the knowledge they gained and the clarity with which the resource person addressed their queries.
Anti-Ragging Week Observance
Date: 16 August 2024
The Department of Psychology observed Anti-Ragging Week on 16th August 2024, with an awareness campaign held at the Humanities Block. The event featured a screening with a video prepared by UGC on the serious consequences of ragging, followed by an interactive talk with students. The discussion focused on the impact of ragging on mental health and the importance of maintaining a safe, respectful campus environment. The students actively participated, reinforcing their commitment to a ragging-free campus.
The observance effectively raised awareness and encouraged a culture of respect and inclusivity among the psychology students.
Anti-Ragging Awareness Programme
Date: 14 August 2024
The Department of Psychology conducted an anti-ragging awareness programme on 14.08.2024 aimed at educating students about the serious implications of ragging and promoting a safe and inclusive campus environment. The session commenced with an introduction to the concept of ragging, highlighting its negative impact on individuals and the academic community. This was followed by the screening of an anti-ragging awareness video, created by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), which emphasised the importance of eradicating ragging from educational institutions. Subsequently, the institutional anti-ragging policy was presented, outlining the strict measures and penalties in place to prevent and address any instances of ragging. UGC guidelines on anti-ragging were also explained in detail, ensuring that students were aware of their rights and responsibilities in maintaining a ragging-free campus. The programme was attended by students from the MSc Psychology, MSc Counselling Psychology, and MSc Clinical Psychology programs, who benefited from the information and guidance provided during the session. The event successfully reinforced the importance of creating a safe and respectful environment for all students.
Seminar - Psychology as an Applied Science
Date: 12 August 2024
The Department of Psychology successfully organized an expert seminar on "Psychology as an Applied Science" for I BSc. Psychology students. The session featured Ms. Rasika Godbole, a Consultant Psychologist from Mind Calm Centre who delivered a resourceful discourse on essential research methods, including observation, the experimental method, questionnaires, and case studies that inevitably broadened students' knowledge of practical and concrete applications in psychology.
Key concepts were explained through clinical examples, famous psychological experiments, and practical illustrations. Visual aids, such as cross-sectional charts, were displayed to enhance understanding. Through a panel of engaging discussions and pragmatic exercises, students to correlated theoretical concepts to real-life scenarios. Ms. Godbole exemplified a case study from her practice, which helped students encapsulate the application of psychological theories in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions.
The Current Status of Industrial Psychology in India
Date: 07 August 2024
The Department of Psychology held a 2-hour Guest Lecture on the “Current Status of Industrial Psychology in India” for the final year MSc Psychology students specialising in Industrial Psychology, on 07.08.2024, from 09.00 am to 11.00 am, in the Humanities Block, H604. The resource person for the lecture was Ms. Joshna John, an HR Associate at IBM, and an Alumnus of Kristu Jayanti College Autonomous.
The guest lecture entailed an experience-based discourse and discussion on the “Current Status of Industrial Psychology in India,” where the resource person delved into areas such as the opportunities in the market for Industrial Psychology professionals, how to carefully analyse the job descriptions and avail the job opportunity befitting to the candidate, how to build a skillset and learn about the tools relevant in the arena of Human Resource Management, and advantages of pursuing Industrial Psychology in the present time. The session concluded with a Q&A.
36 students attended this 2-hour session which shed light on the current status and opportunities in Industrial Psychology. The session provided students with clarity and confidence to pursue Industrial Psychology and also created awareness about the job market.
Value Added Course: Realms of Psychology
Date: 02 to 08 August 2024
The Department of Psychology,Kristu Jayanti College, Autonomous conducted a one-week Value Added Course titled “Realms of Psychology” for I B.Sc. Psychology students from 2nd August 2024 to 8th August 2024. This course aimed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of various career opportunities and scopes within the field of psychology. The curriculum covered essential aspects such as different branches of psychology, potential career paths, the importance of psychological research, and emerging trends in the discipline.
The course comprised twenty interactive sessions designed to engage students and broaden their perspectives on the diverse possibilities within psychology. At the end of the course, students were evaluated through an assessment conducted and certificates were awarded based on their performance and level of comprehension.
A total of 99 students benefited from this course. The sessions were highly impactful and provided students with valuable insights into the vast potential of a career in psychology.
Value-Added Course (VAC) Research Methodology
Date: 24 to 30 July 2024
Department of Psychology hosted a 30-hour Value Added Course (VAC) on Research Methodology for final-year undergraduate students pursuing single or double majors from June 24 to June 30, 2024.in the Main Block's M2 and M3 Auditoriums. The resource person for the Value-Added- Course was Mr Vigranth Bapu, Ms Vimala Arun, Ms Soumya Simon, Dr Lokesh, Ms Nikath Seema, Ms Sharmili Chatterjee, Ms Nidhi, Ms Deepthi Vijayan,Ms Sarah S, Ms Megha D Prasad, Ms Afrah, Ms Pavana, Ms Lekha, Ms Maria, Ms Anitha Mary Mathew, Ms Arsha, Ms Deepmala, Ms Pooja DG, Ms Naw Carolina Ashu, Ms Shreya Thomas, Ms.Aarsha Ajayan, Dr Arjun Shekhar, Ms Nikitha S Patani and Ms Lakshmipriya E.
The purpose of this course was to give students an additional set of fundamental research techniques that they may use to conduct guided research projects and better understanding of their subjects. This VAC will guide their understanding of the professional expertise for their upcoming academic journey. This course offers students a platform for learning through activities that emphasize the value of research in the field of Psychology.
A total of 206 students attended this 30-hour intensive course that shed light on the most important areas of Psychology Research. The course provided the students a solid foundation research knowledge and comprehension in psychology.
Value-Added Course (VAC) Emotional First-Aid & Crisis Intervention
Date: 23 to 30 July 2024
The Department of Psychology offered a value-added course on Emotional First Aid and Crisis Intervention for the 2nd-year BA Psychology A, B, PYJO, and PYEN from 23rd July to 30th July. This intensive program was designed to equip students with essential skills to manage emotional crises and provide immediate psychological support. Through a series of interactive sessions, students learned to assess emotional emergencies, implement effective intervention techniques, and develop resilience and coping strategies. The course emphasized practical applications, preparing students to respond compassionately and competently in various crisis situations, thereby enhancing their professional capabilities in the field of psychology.
In addition to theoretical understanding, the course included role-playing scenarios, case studies, and group discussions, allowing students to practice and refine their skills. Experts facilitated the sessions, bringing their real-world experience and insights to the classroom.
The feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with many students expressing increased confidence in their ability to handle emotional crises. The course not only enriched their academic learning but also prepared them for future roles in counselling, clinical settings, and other areas where psychological first aid is crucial. The successful completion of this course represents a significant milestone in the students' educational journey, equipping them with practical skills that are essential for their future careers in psychology.
Reorientation on Department Code of Conduct for Final Year BA students
Date: 23 July 2024
On July 23, 2024, final year undergraduate psychology students attended reorientation for department level orientation. The Undergraduate Psychology Department's Coordinator, Ms. Vimala Arun, greeted all the final-year students for the upcoming academic year. Ms Megha D Prasad served as the resource person for V Semester BA Psychology A; Ms Shreya Thomas handled Section B; Ms Deepmala Sutar handled BA Psychology and English; and Ms Sreelakshmi handled BA Psychology and Journalism/Performing Arts. The department's scheduled academic year activities and all of the courses the students will be studying were explained to the students. The session also highlighted the importance of following lab etiquette and college decorum, which will help them in their future coursework.
In addition, students were reminded of the academic requirements for the next semester and urged to partake in the many activities that were scheduled.
Value-Added Course (VAC) on Research Methodology
Date: 24 to 30 July 2024
Department of Psychology hosted a 30-hour Value Added Course (VAC) on Research Methodology for final-year undergraduate students pursuing single or double majors from June 24 to June 30, 2024.in the Main Block's M2 and M3 Auditoriums. The resource person for the Value-Added- Course was Mr Vigranth Bapu, Ms Vimala Arun, Ms Soumya Simon, Dr Lokesh, Ms Nikath Seema, Ms Sharmili Chatterjee, Ms Nidhi, Ms Deepthi Vijayan,Ms Sarah S, Ms Megha D Prasad, Ms Afrah, Ms Pavana, Ms Lekha, Ms Maria, Ms Anitha Mary Mathew, Ms Arsha, Ms Deepmala, Ms Pooja DG, Ms Naw Carolina Ashu, Ms Shreya Thomas, Ms.Aarsha Ajayan, Dr Arjun Shekhar, Ms Nikitha S Patani and Ms Lakshmipriya E.
The purpose of this course was to give students an additional set of fundamental research techniques that they may use to conduct guided research projects and better understanding of their subjects. This VAC will guide their understanding of the professional expertise for their upcoming academic journey. This course offers students a platform for learning through activities that emphasize the value of research in the field of Psychology.
A total of 206 students attended this 30-hour intensive course that shed light on the most important areas of Psychology Research. The course provided the students a solid foundation research knowledge and comprehension in psychology.
Workshop on Intellectual Property Rights
Date: 19 July 2024
The Department of Psychology, Kristu Jayanti College Autonomous, Bengaluru, hosted an insightful workshop on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), led by Dr Ravindran, a faculty member from the School of Management at Kristu Jayanti College, on the 19th of July, 2024. The workshop aimed to deepen the understanding of IPR among participants, covering a wide array of topics within this domain for the faculty members of Department of Psychology.
Dr. Ravindran began his session by sharing engaging stories about patenting, including the iconic Smiley face and Thomas Edison's numerous inventions, illustrating the significance of patents in protecting intellectual property. Dr Ravindran provided a comprehensive overview of IPR, explaining its role in safeguarding creations, such as inventions, literary works, and symbols. He then focused on patents, detailing their importance and the process of obtaining one, as well as the criteria for patentability. Dr Ravindran then explained how IPR concepts could be applied in psychology, encouraging participants to think creatively about protecting their psychological research and ideas. He also clarified the difference between industrial design patterns and patent design patterns, emphasizing their distinct roles in product aesthetics and software design, respectively.
The workshop covered various types of IPR, including Copyrights, Patents, Trade Secrets, and Geographical Indications (GI). Dr Ravindran elaborated on each type, providing practical insights and examples. The session concluded with an engaging Q&A segment where Dr Ravindran addressed participants’ queries and highlighted the differences between patterns, design patterns, and utility patents. He also recommended several websites for checking and verifying IPR, providing participants with useful resources. The workshop was highly informative, equipping attendees with a deeper understanding of IPR, its applications, and inspiring them to protect their intellectual creations.
Anti-Ragging Week Observance
Date: 16 July 2024
The Department of Psychology observed Anti-Ragging Week on 16th July 2024, with an awareness campaign held at the Humanities Block. The event featured a screening with a video prepared by UGC on the serious consequences of ragging, followed by an interactive talk with students. The discussion focused on the impact of ragging on mental health and the importance of maintaining a safe, respectful campus environment. The students actively participated, reinforcing their commitment to a ragging-free campus.
The observance effectively raised awareness and encouraged a culture of respect and inclusivity among the psychology students.
Farewell “All is well”
Date: 18 April 2024
The Department of Psychology at Kristu Jayanti college bid adieu to its final year Undergraduate students with a memorable farewell on 18th April, 2024 focusing on the theme “All is well”. The event which was held at M1 Auditorium of the college started with a formal session followed by various performances from the students of different years.
The formal session commenced with Mr. Caleb Mathew and Ms. Maria Abraham as the masters of ceremony guiding the proceedings. Ms. Malek Samira delivered a warm welcome address which was then followed by an insightful student experience shared by Mr. Gershom Kevin, Ms. Malavika M.V., Ms.Ananya, and Ms. Sumiran representing different sections from 3rd year psychology.
Rev. Fr. Emmanuel P.J., Director of Kristu Jayanti College of Law and faculty of Psychology, imparted a fatherly address, sharing words of wisdom. The vote of thanks was extended by Ms. Aaga Susan, expressing gratitude to everyone involved. Distinguished dignitaries on the dais included Rev. Fr. Emmanuel P.J, Dr. Gopakumar A.V. (Dean,Faculty of Humanities at Kristu Jayanti college., and Dr. Sruthi Sivaraman (Professor, Head, Department of Psychology) along with Prof. Vimala M. (Professor, UG programme coordinator, Department of Psychology).
Following the formal session, an informal session led by the MCs Shawn, Diya and Nivedita commenced, featuring a mix of performances including drama, song, dance, and group acts by students from different years and sections. The session was filled with laughter and nostalgia as students showcased their talents and bid farewell in style.
Farewell-2024
Date: 15 April 2024
The first year students of Department of Psychology, Kristu Jayanti College Autonomous, Bengaluru, organized Farewell for the graduating batch of PG students on 15/04/2024, at SKE Auditorium, PG Block, from 3.30 pm to 5.30pm. Fr. Deepu Joy, Director, Student Welfare Office addressed the gathering in the formal function. Students from the graduating batch shared their experiences and the informal session included reminiscing their time in the college through videos, songs and dances. The students overall had a wonderful time.
Fieldvisit to Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhan Sansthan (SVYASA)
Date: 15 March 2024
On March 15, 2024, II year MSc Clinical Psychology students embarked on a field visit to Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhan Sansthan (SVYASA) in Bengaluru, a distinguished institution dedicated to yoga research and education. SVYASA holds accreditation as a Yog University by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and seamlessly blends ancient Yog traditions with modern scientific research. The institution's primary mission revolves around advancing Yog through evidence-based practices, integrating Eastern spiritual insights with Western scientific advancements. Grounded in the Gurukula ethos, SVYASA emphasizes character development and holistic growth through Yog as a lifestyle. Its educational structure comprises five divisions, spanning Yog Spirituality, Life Sciences, Physical Science, Management Studies, and Humanities, fostering interdisciplinary education and values-driven learning. SVYASA is committed to cultivating individuals who embody Yog principles across personal and professional domains, making significant contributions to national progress.
During the visit, the students delved into a range of sessions focusing on mental health, psychological disorders, Yogasutras, and the therapeutic potential of yoga for overall wellbeing. These sessions were comprehensive and enlightening, enabling students to explore the intricacies of mental health, understand various psychological disorders and their impacts, and gain deeper insights into the ancient wisdom of Yogasutras. Furthermore, the sessions emphasized how yoga practices not only promote physical healing but also nurture mental and emotional resilience, contributing significantly to holistic wellbeing.
The visit also included an immersive experience at SVYASA's research centers and diverse laboratories, providing students with a deeper understanding of various methodologies related to yoga, meditation, and holistic wellness. Engaging in scientific discussions, attending presentations, and observing ongoing research initiatives, students were exposed to innovative approaches aimed at understanding yoga's effects on both the body and mind. This immersive experience expanded their intellectual horizons and inspired them to further explore the potential of these methodologies in promoting overall health and wellness. All- together, the visit highlighted the importance of integrating yoga into mental health education and emphasized the profound benefits it offers for individual and collective wellbeing.
Proprium Series Workshop on Strategic and Solution Focused Therapy
Date: 15 March 2024
Department of Psychology, Kristu Jayanti College, Autonomous, Bengaluru, as a part of Proprium Series, organized a Workshop on 15/03/2024, at M 501, Main Block, from 9.00am to 1.00pm. The topic of the workshop was “Strategic and Solution Focused Therapy” and it was organized for the students of IV M.Sc. Counselling Psychology. Mr. Anil Iyer, Professor of Practice and Counselling Psychologist, conducted the session.
The workshop aimed to introduce participants to the principles and practices of using strategic and solution focused therapy. The workshop provided an overview of the theoretical foundations of strategic and solution focused therapy and offered participants the opportunity to engage in case discussions and various exercises. The workshop fostered an environment of exploration and personal growth, leaving participants with practical tools to enhance the hands-on experience and the well-being of others through Strategic and Solution Focused Therapy.
Neurofeedback Training
Date: 13 March 2024
The Neurofeedback Training held on 13th March 2024 in the M4 Auditorium, facilitated by Dr. Jamuna Rajeshwaran, offered attendees a comprehensive exploration of neuropsychological rehabilitation and neurofeedback training. Dr. Rajeshwaran's extensive expertise provided participants with deep insights and advanced their knowledge and skills in the respective field.
The session was highly interactive, with students actively engaging in discussions with the facilitator. They posed numerous questions, fostering a dynamic exchange that enriched the learning experience. This interactive dialogue enabled students to clarify doubts and delve into various aspects of neurofeedback training, enhancing their understanding.
Participants described the seminar as insightful and interesting, appreciating the practical insights shared by Dr. Jamuna Rajeshwaran. Her guidance was instrumental in broadening their perspectives and deepening their comprehension of neuropsychological rehabilitation.
In conclusion, the Neurofeedback Training organized by the Department of Psychology was a resounding success. It provided attendees with valuable insights and knowledge in the field of clinical psychology. Dr. Jamuna Rajeshwaran's expertise significantly contributed to the seminar's success, ensuring that participants gained practical insights and skills beneficial for their academic and professional pursuits.
M.Phil Prep Lecture
Date: 07 March 2024
A lecture elaborating on strategies to prepare for the M.Phil (M.psych) exam was conducted by Mr Vigraanth Bapu K. G. (PG programme coordinator) to help the final year Master’s students on the 7th of March 2024. The lecture was conducted at the Department of Psychology, Kristu Jayanti College, (autonomous).
Mr. Vigraanth Bapu K G, elaborated on the various strategies to prepare for the Masters of Philosophy exam. The most important point highlighted by sir included enlightening students about the importance of licensure in the field of Clinical Psychology. He resourcefully guided the students through the RCI website (https://rehabcouncil.nic.in/) and helped them navigate it tactfully. He screened the recently updated list of institutions offering an M.Phil in Clinical Psychology and Rehabilitation Psychology and guided the students to factor in various aspects such as the feasibility in terms of area, language, finance, number of available seats etc before narrowing down on the priority list. He motivated the students to prepare in accordance with the institute they aim to target. He helped us understand why the different institutions have different numbers of available seats and also walked us through the MPhil coursework emphasizing on the practical as well as theory-based hours. Sir helped us draw parallels between the syllabus and the prerequisites the institutions would expect to reach the baseline levels, which could aid us to understand what all content could be covered in the entrance exam.
The lecture ended with a glimmer of hope in the eyes of the students present and a refuel of much-needed motivation to reach these prestigious goals.
Placement Talk on “Competencies for Success”
Date: 06 March 2024
On April 6th, 2024, the Department of Psychology, in collaboration with the Centre for Employability and Corporate Relations, hosted a talk titled "Competencies for Success" aimed at students enrolled in VI BA PSYCHOLOGY, PYEN, PYJO, PYPA programs led by Prof.Sen B. Mathews, Associate Professor and Director at Centre for Employability & Corporate Relations (CECR), Kristu Jayanti College Bengaluru, along with Mr. Jinu Mathew, Coordinator UG-Centre for Employability & Corporate Relations (CECR), the session provided invaluable insights for students gearing up for post-college placements.
The talk highlighted the critical importance of honing key skills and attributes sought after by employers. A major focal point was crafting compelling resumes and cover letters to effectively showcase one's qualifications and experiences. The significance of adept communication skills, both oral and written, and the ability to articulate one's strengths and unique attributes during interviews were also highlighted.
Moreover, attendees were encouraged to adopt a mind-set of continuous learning and to stay abreast of evolving industry dynamics. Overall, the session organized by Centre for Employability & Corporate Relations (CECR) proved to be an invaluable resource, arming students with the necessary knowledge and strategies to navigate the competitive landscape of post-college job hunting.
Webinar on the Need and Scope of Psycho-oncology in India and Abroad
Date: 14 March 2024
The Department of Psychology organized a webinar on the Need and Scope of Psycho-oncology in India and Abroad on 14th March 2024. The resource person for the event was Mr. Shameen Varikkodan, Senior Psycho-oncologist. The webinar was attended by the 480 post graduate students from the Department of psychology.
Mr. Varikkodan elaborated on the pivotal role of a psycho-oncologist in the holistic treatment of cancer patients. He discussed the scope of this profession, both in India and abroad, highlighting its significance in improving the quality of life for cancer patients. Further, he shared insights from current studies in psycho-oncology, shedding light on recent advancements and the evolving understanding of psychological care in oncology. The session was insightful, providing students with a deeper understanding of psycho-oncology and its crucial role in cancer care. Mr. Varikkodan's presentation was well-received, sparking meaningful discussions among participants.
Guest Lecture On Gender Sensitization And Mental Health
Date: 14 March 2024
The Department of Psychology organized a guest lecture on 14 March, 2024 at A1 Conference Hall, Admin Block from 11 AM onwards. The resource person was Ms. Syeda Arifa Tasneem, a Clinical Psychologist at Recoup Health, Bangalore. Ms. Tasneem had an interactive session with the IV Semester BA PYJO and PYPA, and VI Semester BA Psychology and PYEN students on eliminating gender discrimination, its practices, gender sensitization, creating a balanced approach to gender sensitivity, lack of awareness leading to the root cause of social problems, stereotypes and how it affects the mental health of both men and women. Ms. Tasneem emphasized the importance of recognizing and addressing the systemic inequalities that exist in society based on gender and highlighted how gender norms and expectations can significantly impact mental health outcomes. The unique challenges faced by individuals who do not conform to traditional gender roles and how societal pressures can contribute to feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression were also discussed. The interaction also included gender differences in mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression, the impact of socialization on mental health, need for creating supportive environments so that men and women can live in equal dignity.
A total of 100 students attended the session and clarified their doubts and thoughts on the topic. The session provided a clarity on the perceived roles of different genders, what the generation today can do to avoid the pitfalls of gender discrimination, challenging stereotypes, and promoting equality between genders. The lecture concluded with a discussion on the importance of creating gender-inclusive mental health services that are sensitive to the diverse needs of individuals. The lecture on gender sensitization and mental health provided valuable insights into the complex interplay between gender, societal expectations, and mental well-being. By fostering awareness and understanding, it aimed to empower the audience to contribute to creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for all individuals.
Workshop on Dance Movement Therapy
Date: 12 March 2024
Department of Psychology, Kristu Jayanti College Autonomous, Bengaluru, organized a Workshop on Dance Movement Therapy on 12/03/2024, at M1 Auditorium, Main Block, from 9.00am to 1.00pm. Ms. Diana Tholoor, Corporate Trainer, and Dance and Movement Therapist officiated the session by introducing the participants to the principles and practices of using movement and dance for therapeutic purposes. The workshop provided an overview of the theoretical foundations of movement therapy and offered participants the opportunity to engage in various exercises like clapping, moving to high and low-impact music to explore self-expression, healing, and the use of music in movement therapy. The workshop fostered an environment of exploration, creativity, and personal growth, leaving participants with practical tools to enhance their well-being and the well-being of others through movement and dance.
Expert Talk on Active Listening in association with United Nations Academic Impact Hub for SDG 1
Date: 05 March 2024
The Department of Psychology successfully organized an online Expert Talk in association with United Nations Academic Impact Hub for SDG 1, for UG IV Sem Psychology students of section A and B. The session commenced with the acknowledgement of Dr. Sachin Chitambaran, Founder and Lead Trainer at The Connect Hut, a leading organization focused on mental health and suicide prevention. His insightful talk on Active Listening broadened the existing knowledge about the concept. The examples given during the session helped students understand the concept clearly. A cross-sectional chart on types of listening was displayed on the screen, providing a visual aid, making it easy for students to comprehend. Various activities, such as thought exercises were conducted during the session, making it engaging for all the participants. Therefore, the session was highly insightful, facilitating a valuable elixir of knowledge that enriched students' understanding. Outcome: The session broadened students' conceptual knowledge by fostering engagement through various activities and exercises.
Industrial Visit - BHARATH ART & CRAFTS
Date: 04 March 2024
The Department of Psychology, in collaboration with UNAI HUB of Kristu Jayanti College, organized an industrial visit for 87 students of IV semester psychology A and B section to Bharath Art and Crafts, situated in Channapatna. The visit aimed to provide students with practical insights into sustainable manufacturing practices.
Bharath Art and Crafts boasts a rich history dating back to 1700, initially involved in the production of wooden dipping pens. Presently, Mr. P Mohamed Ilyas, along with his sons, continues the family legacy. The company's commitment to innovation has spanned five generations, maintaining its prominence in local toy-making traditions. During the visit, students had the opportunity to explore the inner workings of a wooden factory. Notably, the toys crafted here are meticulously constructed from 100% wood, with colors derived from tree wax, resulting in products that are 95% organic and safe for children. Moreover, the company adopts a sustainable approach by repurposing leftover wood for manufacturing incense sticks (agarbati) and other decorative items. The integration of laser technology for precise printing and cutting underscores their dedication to modernization while minimizing waste. Transitioning to the finishing unit, students observed the intricate painting and decoration processes, gaining first hand exposure to the craftsmanship involved in creating these wooden toys. This experience not only underscored the importance of sustainability but also emphasized the significance of promoting locally-made products, aligning with the goals of UNAI.
Overall, the industrial visit to Bharath Art and Crafts provided students with a deeper understanding of sustainable manufacturing practices and the role of community-led initiatives in achieving UNAI goals. It served as a catalyst for fostering a commitment towards sustainability and promoting indigenous craftsmanship among the future leaders of our community.
Internship Orientation
Date: 01 March 2024
The Department of Psychology organized a highly informative and engaging orientation session on Internship, held on the 1st of March, 2024, at the prestigious P1 Auditorium. Attended by 168 fourth-semester psychology students, the event aimed to equip them with essential insights and guidelines for a successful internship experience. The session was facilitated by esteemed lecturers, Ms. Sharmili Chaterjee and Dr. Cynthia Sara James, from Kristu Jayanti College, Bangalore, India.
Under the guidance of these experienced resource persons, the orientation delved into various aspects crucial for a fruitful internship journey. The session commenced by elucidating the duration and types of internships available, including observationship opportunities. Moreover, students were enlightened about their roles as interns and the pivotal role played by supervisors, both in-house and on-site.
Throughout the session, emphasis was laid on the primary objectives underlying the necessity of internships, highlighting the diverse range of establishments offering psychological services where students could potentially undertake their internships. Additionally, students were provided with detailed insights into the meticulous documentation required during the internship period, including the maintenance of a daily log and report to be submitted to the in-house supervisor. Moreover, comprehensive guidance was provided regarding the essential paperwork essential for submission upon the culmination of the internship.
Overall, the Internship Orientation session proved to be immensely beneficial, equipping students with the requisite knowledge and passion to navigate their initial steps into the practical domain of psychology with confidence and proficiency.
General Psychology Students of II Semester
Date: 23 February 2024
On the 23rd of February 2024, 56 II semester general psychology students embarked on an educational field visit to the Aerospace Testing Establishment (ASTE). The visit proved to be profoundly insightful and educational, providing students with a firsthand understanding of the organization's operations.
Upon arrival, the students were warmly greeted and provided with refreshments, creating a welcoming atmosphere for the visit. A liaison officer then conducted a comprehensive tour of the facility, offering detailed information about the various types of aircraft and the latest facilities available at the establishment. The officer patiently addressed all inquiries and doubts raised by the students, fostering an interactive and engaging learning environment.
Moreover, students were encouraged to inquire about the mental health provisions and the overall mental health status within the organization. These queries were met with honesty and transparency, enriching the students' understanding of mental health practices within government organizations.
Following the tour, a senior officer graciously dedicated time to address further questions posed by the students, providing valuable insights into the inner workings of the organization. The session facilitated an open dialogue between students and professionals, enhancing their understanding of the aerospace industry and its psychological implications.
The field visit to the Aerospace Testing Establishment proved to be a highly informative and enriching experience for the psychology students. By witnessing firsthand the operations of a prominent government organization, students gained valuable insights into the practical applications of psychology in diverse settings. The visit stimulated curiosity, critical thinking, and a deeper appreciation for the intersection of psychology and aerospace technology.
Workshop on Coping with Eating Disorders
Date: 22 February 2024
The student-led session on coping with eating disorders, organized by the Department of Psychology, was held with the aim of fostering awareness about coping with eating disorders at P1 auditorium, Kristu Jayanti College, Autonomous, Bengaluru from 9.30 am to 11.00 am. The participants for the workshop were 21 students from 1st year, BA Psychology & English. BA Psychology & Journalism. The session was meticulously crafted and conducted by the PG students under the guidance of faculty members specializing in clinical psychology.
The session commenced with an insightful overview of different types of eating disorders. Furthermore, the participants were introduced to evidence-based coping strategies designed to manage and overcome eating disorders. These strategies encompassed mindfulness practices (confining, limiting, and practicing of leaving and throwing) and nutrition based counselling. The session underscored the significance of seeking professional help and building a robust support system to navigate the recovery journey effectively.
The session instilled a sense of empowerment and fostered a supportive environment conducive to healing and growth. Attendees were encouraged to cultivate self-compassion, challenge societal norms surrounding body image, and embrace a holistic approach to well-being encompassing physical, mental, and emotional health.
Expert talk: Introduction to Sustainable Development Goals
Date: 27 February 2024
The Department of Psychology, in collaboration with UNAI Hub, recently hosted a captivating expert talk focusing on the Introduction to Sustainable Development Goals on 27th Feb 2024, at P1 Conference hall at 1:40. Dr. Lyola Thomas, an esteemed lecturer from Kristu Jayanti College, Bangalore, India, graced the event as our resource person. Dr. Thomas, whose remarkable achievements include representing Kristu Jayanti College at the United Nations headquarters in New York, shared her insights and experiences with the eager audience. Her impactful poem, "A Funeral in my Mind," addressing environmental concerns, was not only shortlisted but also published by the United Nations Academic Impact in their magazine, Art for Climate Action. Adding to her accolades, she was honored with the Global International Fellow award by Franciscan University, Ohio, in November 2023, and was subsequently invited to deliver lectures across various universities in the United States of America.
The session commenced with an interactive activity, where students were grouped to brainstorm solutions for addressing global environmental issues under the theme "What Would You DO?" Each team enthusiastically presented their ideas, fostering a dynamic atmosphere. Dr. Thomas then guided the students through the evolution from Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), sharing her invaluable experiences along the way. Her passion for action-oriented change ignited a spark within the students, motivating them to not only envision but also actively pursue positive transformations in the world. As the session concluded, the students departed with renewed motivation and a clear vision to contribute towards a brighter, sustainable future.
Workshop on Reiki
Date: 22 February 2024
Department of Psychology, Kristu Jayanti College Autonomous, Bengaluru, organized a Workshop on 22/02/2024, at M2 Auditorium, Main Block, from 9.00am to 1.00pm. Ms. Neerja Poddar, Alternative Therapist, delivered a talk on Reiki and other alternate therapies.
The theoretical foundations of Alternative Medicine were explored, offering participants a foundational understanding of the psychological aspects underlying this innovative therapeutic approach. The energy pull exercise was also performed, followed by a deeper dive into the history of alternate medicines, highlighting significant figures and milestones that shaped the field. Then, hypnotherapy and reiki were demonstrated. A guided group discussion provided a platform for participants to share their experiences, cultivating a sense of community and mutual understanding. 90 participants attended the event and gained a comprehensive understanding of alternative medicine its historical foundations, and theoretical underpinnings.
Visit to NIMHANS Brain Museum
Date: 09 February 2024
Thirty-two final year undergraduate students from the Department of Psychology, accompanied by their Class animator, (salutation) Deepmala Sutar, Assistant Professor, visited the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) Brain Museum on 9th February 2024.
One of the senior research scientists from the Brain Museum provided the students with a guided tour of the museum. The students had an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the physiology and anatomy of the various parts of the brain, kidney, spleen, small intestine, heart and a pair of lungs.
Many infected and diseased human brains and various parts were also on the display. The visit to the NIMAHNS brain museum was an experiential learning opportunity for our students. This will reinforce their understanding of neuroanatomical and neurochemical changes implicated in various psychopathology. We appreciate and thank our management and NIMHANs Brain Museum for this experience.
Movie Screening
Date: 07 February 2024
The Department of Psychology hosted a special Movie Screening event on February 7, 2024, for IV BA Psychology- A and B students at M3 Auditorium. The featured film, titled “I Am Me,” offered an insightful exploration of themes relevant to psychology.
The event aimed to provide students with an enriching cinematic experience complementing their academic studies. Through the medium of film, attendees were invited to engage with thought-provoking narratives and characters, fostering deeper understanding and critical reflection on psychological concepts and human behavior.
After the screening, the students discussed on mental health problems and hate crimes that take place against mental health patients. During the discussion, the students learned that lack of awareness and empathy emerged are the main reasons behind such problems The students also shared their insights on how such problems can be tackled.
Basic Counselling Skills Workshop- Session IX
Date: 17 October 2023 to 25 January 2024
The Department of Psychology organised a 20-hour Basic Counselling Skills Workshop for the III semester M.Sc. Psychology students from 17th October 2023 to 25th January 2024. This workshop was divided into nine sessions of 2 hours each, with two major practical assignments.
The ninth session on “Reflection of Meaning and Interpretation” was held on 24th January 2024 in M 509, 5th floor, Main Block, Kristu Jayanti College, from 11.00 am to 1.00 pm. The resource person for the session was Mr. Vigraanth Bapu K.G., Assistant Professor from the Department of Psychology. 57 students attended the session
The key focus of the session was the interconnected nature of behaviours, feelings, and thoughts. It was highlighted that these elements are not isolated but rather deeply intertwined within individuals' experiences. The workshop addressed the practical applications of reflection and interpretation in counselling.
The session provided valuable insights into the complex dynamics of human experience. By recognizing the interplay between behaviours, feelings, and thoughts, counsellors can offer empathetic and effective support to their clients.
Guest Lecture on Dissociative, Somatic and Eating Disorder
Date: 16 to 23 January 2024
Department of Psychology organized a Guest Lecture on Dissociative, Somatic and Eating Disorder for fourth – semester MSc Psychology students on 16th and 23rd January 2024 in the venue M509. Daberati Basak, a professor of practice and a Founder partner at Carpediem EdPsych Consultancy led the event, concentrating on topic related to Dissociative, Somatic and Eating Disorders. Throughout the sessions, students were exposed to a wealth of knowledge and insights regarding these psychological phenomena. Daberati Basak, with expertise and clarity guided the participants through the nuances of Dissociative, Somatic and Eating Disorders, shedding light on the complex ways in which individuals may cope with overwhelming experiences by disconnecting from their consciousness. The session served as a valuable opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of these specific psychological disorders and perspectives on the complexities of mental health.
Strategic and Solution Focused therapy
Date: 12 to 19 January 2024
The department of Psychology organized a compelling session for fourth- semester Msc Psychology students that unfolded on 12th & 19th Januray, 2024. This particular session, led by the proficient resource person Anil V Iyer, was dedicated to the exploration of strategic and solution- focused therapy techniques. By combining theoretical knowledge with practical application, Anil V Iyer effectively empowered participants to integrate these therapeutic approaches into their future professional practices, contributing to a more holistic and understanding of psychotherapeutic interventions.
Basic Counselling Skills Workshop- Session VIII
Date: 17 January 2024
The Department of Psychology organised a 20-hour Basic Counselling Skills Workshop for the III semester M.Sc. Psychology students from 17th October, 2023 to 25th January, 2024. This workshop was divided into nine sessions of 2 hours each, with two major practical assignments.
The eighth session on the topic “Positive Assets” was held on 17th January, 2024 in M 509, 5th floor, Main block, Kirstu Jayanti College, from 11.00 am to 1.00 pm. The resource person for the session was Dr. Lokesh L, Assistant Professor from the Department of Psychology. The session was attended by 57 students from III semester, M.Sc. Psychology.
Dr. Lokesh L emphasized on the importance of adopting a strengths-based approach in counselling, focusing on the clients' positive attributes rather than solely on their challenges. He demonstrated how to identify and leverage clients' strengths during sessions actively. This involved recognizing inherent abilities, coping mechanisms, and positive characteristics of the client that can be harnessed to overcome difficulties. The session underscored the role of positive assets in enhancing clients' self-efficacy. By acknowledging and reinforcing their strengths, counsellors can empower clients to believe in their ability to navigate challenges and make positive change.
The workshop on positive assets in counselling skills showcased the potential of integrating a strengths-based perspective into counselling practices. By recognizing clients' positive attributes, counsellors contribute to a more empowering and effective therapeutic process.
Observance of Mental Wellness Month - Orientation to Dementia
Date: 17 January 2024
The Department of Psychology and Psychology Club jointly organized an orientation program on Dementia in recognition of Mental Wellness Month. The event aimed to raise awareness about the increasing prevalence and impact of dementia in India, discussing challenges, strategies, and potential solutions specific to the Indian context. Held in the A3 auditorium from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., the seminar hosted chief guests Mr. Premkumar Raja and Ms. Ramini Sundaram from the Nightingales Centre for Ageing & Alzheimer's, along with Head of Department Dr. Sruthi Sivaraman and UG Programme Coordinator Ms. Vimala M. The audience comprised 3rd-year Psychology students and teachers. Ms. Shreya Thomas, Psychology Club Coordinator, delivered the welcome address, followed by an introduction of the speakers by Ms. Lekha Ramya. The session commenced with an overview of dementia's current status in India, including the introduction of the Nightingales Medical Trust by Mr. Premkumar Raja. He stressed the need for increased awareness, especially among the youth, leading to the establishment of the Dementia India Alliance in May 2023.
Ms. Ramini Sundaram provided insights into dementia, focusing on rising cases, aging populations, and lifestyle factors contributing to increased risks. She discussed stigmas, lack of awareness, and misconceptions hindering timely diagnosis and care. Emphasis was placed on early diagnosis, intervention, and the vital role of caregivers in managing dementia. The program concluded with a call to action for community engagement and advocacy, introducing the "DemChamps" program, allowing students to participate in a nationwide movement for a compassionate society. A Q & A session allowed students to interact with the speakers, and the event concluded with a vote of thanks from Ms. Naw Carolina Ashu, Psychology Club Coordinator. Chief guests received mementos and saplings as tokens of gratitude. The program provided valuable insights into dementia, fostering awareness and community involvement.
International Lecture Series: Forensic Psychology on Criminal Insanity
Date: 12 January 2024
The Department of Psychology successfully conducted an international lecture series on Forensic Psychology focusing on Criminal Insanity on January 12, 2024. This event was specifically designed for VI Sem BA Psychology Hons, BSc Forensic Science, and 2nd Sem MSc Psychology students. The distinguished speaker, Dr. Philip Laird, Vice President, Innovation Global and Academic Partnerships; Vice Provost, Global, presented insightful perspectives on the intricate relationship between psychology and the legal system, garnering the participation of 220 students.
The seminar commenced with the introduction of the esteemed speaker, followed by an in-depth exploration of the interface between psychology and the legal system. The session delved into various topics including Fitness to Stand Trial, Youth Detention, Insanity, Cognition and Memory (Eyewitness Testimony), Police Psychology, Interrogation, Primary and Secondary Traumatic Stress/Stressors, Treatment for Detainees, Incarceration and Release.
The speaker extensively discussed Canadian cases, the discussion focused on dissecting the baselines of the crimes, unravelling the motives behind them, and evaluating whether justice was duly served to the victims. The psychological aspects of the crimes were thoroughly analysed.
A comparative analysis of legal traditions in Canada and India ensued, encompassing the meanings and definitions of Statue Law and Procedural Law. Special emphasis was placed on the significance of Not Criminally Responsible because of Mental Disorder (NCMRD) in the Canadian legal system. The integration of NCMRD into Section 16 CC/Bill C-30 (1985) was elucidated.
The session underscored that the term "Insanity" lacks a precise definition and observable symptoms, prompting its replacement with "Mental Disorder" in both legal systems and psychology. In the context of the Indian legal system, Section 84 of the IPC was examined, highlighting the legal, rather than medical or psychological, nature of the.
The significance of active participation by mental health workers in the legal system was strongly emphasized. The imperative to advocate for the voiceless underscored the importance of integrating mental health expertise into legal proceedings.
Following the presentation, an interactive session allowed students to pose questions and seek clarifications. The positive response from students underscored the success of the event. The session concluded with a vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to the speaker and participants for their invaluable contributions.
In conclusion, the international lecture series proved to be a valuable platform for students to gain profound insights into the intersection of psychology and the legal system, fostering critical thinking and awareness.
Movie Screening: The Railway Men - The Untold Story of Bhopal 1984
Date: 09 January 2023
The Department of Psychology successfully organized a screening of a Netflix series, ‘The Railway Men - The untold story of Bhopal 1984’ on the 9th of January from 1.40 pm to 4.30 pm (venue) for the students of Psychology department. The series shed light on the unforgettable Bhopal gas tragedy which took place in 1984. The movie screening was held as part of the environmental psychology class in association with the Psychology Club. The series has 4 episodes. The first episode set the scene, introducing various characters and the intricate web of the Bhopal factory accident. Students were engrossed in the second episode where the plot thickened and the thrill increased. The 50-to-60-minute episodes had each student’s attention on the various loopholes and the tragic events that took place at Bhopal. The screening aided students' learning of contamination of the environment due to industrial accidents; how human behavior causes environmental issues, and its detrimental effects.
Even Semester Course Plan and LMS Presentation
Date: 23 December 2023
The Department of Psychology conducted a significant event on December 23, 2023, showcasing the course plans for the Even Semester 2023-2024. During this session, teachers presented course plans for both UG and PG Psychology courses, integrating various innovative pedagogies. The collaborative effort of the faculty members was evident with valuable suggestions enhancing pedagogy and assignments. All teachers diligently uploaded the subject contents to the Learning Management System (LMS), emphasizing the department's commitment to digital learning resources. Dr.Sruthi Sivaraman, Head of the Department, played a crucial role in suggesting and discussing pedagogical approaches, fostering meaningful discussions among faculty members. Mr. Vigraanth Bapu, PG Programme Coordinator, contributed significantly by suggesting diverse assignment topics. The session was highly beneficial, equipping teachers with enhanced strategies and resources for an engaging classroom experience in the upcoming semester.
Zestasia - Charity Drive
Date: 20 December 2023
The Department of Psychology of Kristu Jayanti College, Autonomous, Bengaluru organized a charity drive- Zestasia 2023 as a part of the department extension activity on 20th December 2023. This initiative brought together approximately1100 students from the undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. The objective of the activity was to collect 200 blankets which would be donated to the underprivileged and needy. The faculty in charge of the extension program were Dr. Lokesh L and Prof. Deepmala Sutar.
The students were able to collect 250 blankets within a week’s time. Out of which 150 blankets were donated to the New Ark Mission of India and the DSS home. The remaining 100 blankets were gifted to the support staff of Kristu Jayanti College.
The main objective of the charity drive was to kindle a sense of social responsibility among the students. Zestasia 2023 was a massive success and a great learning experience for the students. They learnt that with good intention and resolve even a small gesture can make big difference in somebody’s life.
Basic Counselling Skills Workshop- Session VII
Date: 09 November 2023
The Department of Psychology organized a 20-hour Basic Counselling Skills Workshop for the III semester M.Sc. Psychology students from 17th October to 10th November 2023. This workshop was divided into nine sessions of 2 hours each with two major practical assignments.
The seventh session on the topic “Questioning” was held on 9th November 2023 in M 509, 5th floor, Main block, Kirstu Jayanti College, from 11.00 am to 1.00 pm. The resource person for the session was Ms. Deena Dixon, Assistant Professor from the Department of Psychology. The session was attended by 57 students from III semester, M.Sc. Psychology.
The session started with the resource person sharing the importance of questioning and how to deal with concrete and abstract information that clients may give during a counselling session. Following this, there was an activity through which the resource person introduced the concept of open-ended and closed-ended questioning. There was further activity where students were introduced to the eight important points involved in questioning. Those were as follows: questions that help begin the interview, the first word of open questions, elaboration and enrichment of the client's stories, questions that may reveal concrete specifics from the client's world, potential difficulties with questions, multiple applications of questions, cross-cultural interactions, and how to deal with clients who are not very vocal as well as how to deal with children.
The workshop on “Questioning” highlighted the vital role effective questioning in fostering client exploration and self-discovery. Embracing the art of questioning empowers counsellors to facilitate meaningful dialogues that lead to personal insight and positive change in the counselling process.
Basic Counselling Skills Workshop- Session V
Date: 04 November 2023
The Department of Psychology organized a 20-hour Basic Counselling Skills Workshop for the III semester, M.Sc. Psychology students from 17th October to 10th November 2023. This workshop was divided into nine sessions of 2 hours each with two major practical assignments.
The fifth session on the topic “Paraphrasing and Summarizing” was held on 4th November 2023 in M 509, 5th floor, Main block, Kirstu Jayanti College from 11.00 am to 1.00 pm. The resource person for the session was Ms. Soumya Simon, Assistant Professor from the Department of Psychology. The session was attended by 57 students from III semester, M.Sc. Psychology.
The session started with the resource person giving an introduction to paraphrasing and summarising. She went on to discuss on focussing questions in a counselling session, appropriate body language portrayed by counsellors and its implications. She then spoke about the importance of genuineness and how it affects the client-counsellor relationship.
Following which the class was engaged in a mock counselling session where they were taught how to go about questioning, the right questions to ask, ways in which to ask them, and how to get the most out of a counselling session. The hands-on training highlighted the critical role of paraphrasing, summarizing, and questioning in counselling sessions.
These skills are not only fundamental for effective communication but also for fostering trust and understanding between counsellors and their clients. The ability to utilize these techniques with empathy is pivotal for successful counselling outcomes.
Basic Counselling Skills Workshop- Session VI
Date: 07 November 2023
The Department of Psychology organized a 20-hour Basic Counselling Skills Workshop for the III semester, M.Sc. Psychology students from 17th October to 10th November 2023. This workshop (The workshop was) is divided into nine sessions of 2 hours each with two major practical assignments.
The sixth session on the topic “Confrontation Skills” was held on 7th November 2023 in M 509, 5th floor, Main block, Kristu Jayanti College from 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm. The resource person for the session was Dr. Arjun Sekhar P M, Assistant Professor from the Department of Psychology. The session was attended by 57 students from III semester, M.Sc. Psychology.
The session started with the resource person giving an introduction to empathetic confrontation and the steps involved- listening, paraphrasing, and evaluating. Evaluation steps were discussed in depth; which included denial, partial examination, acceptance and recognition, creation of a new solution, and transcendence.
Following which the class was engaged in a mock counselling session where one student presented a problem they were facing, and the resource person played the role of the counsellor and demonstrated how to deal with confrontation, that is to approach it in the most empathetic way possible, and the right way to go about it in terms of attending behaviour.
The lecture on confrontation skills in counselling shed light on the importance of this vital technique in the therapeutic process. It emphasized the need for counsellors to approach confrontation with sensitivity, empathy, and professionalism, recognizing that it serves as a valuable tool for addressing clients' resistance, promoting self-awareness, and facilitating positive change. Developing and mastering these skills is essential for effective counselling, as it enables clients to confront their issues and work towards personal growth and healing.
Basic Counselling Skills Workshop- Session IV
Date: 03 November 2023
The Department of Psychology organized a 20-hour Basic Counselling Skills Workshop for the III semester M.Sc. Psychology students from 17th October to 10th November 2023. This workshop was divided into nine sessions of 2 hours each with two major practical assignments.
The fourth session on the topic “Reflection of Feeling” was held on 3rd November 2023 in M509, 5th floor, Main block, KJC, from 11.00 am to 1.00 pm. The resource person for the session was Ms.. Sampreeti Das, a faculty from the Department of Psychology, KJC. 57 students from III semester, M.Sc. Psychology, KJC, attended the session.
The session started with the resource person introducing the topic and explaining the concept of, both verbal and non-verbal mirroring. The class engaged in an activity of mirroring, which helped them practice mirroring the emotions and facial expressions of clients which is, essential in making the clients feel heard and validated during the counselling sessions. The resource person also emphasised the importance of client-centred therapy and its techniques. The next topic covered under reflection of feeling was “questioning” and how to go about it. The students took part in an activity where they were divided into pairs where one person played the role of the storyteller and the other was the listener. While the storytellers described a life incident, the listeners mirrored their emotions and expressions. The resource person then spoke of the importance and purpose of reflection on feeling and how it impacts the counsellor-client relationship. There was further hands-on training on applying the reflection of feeling concept. A counselling script was provided and the students were made to identify emotions, validation, and reflections of both the client and the counsellor. The session ended with a discussion on empathy, accurate empathy, and regulating this empathy.
This session gave the class insights into the crucial role of empathetic and reflective listening in the counselling. Understanding how to accurately reflect a client's emotions not only fosters a stronger therapeutic alliance but also enables counsellors to support and guide their clients on their journey to personal growth and healing.
Basic Counselling Skills Workshop- Session III
Date: 31 October 2023
The Department of Psychology organised a 20-hour Basic Counselling Skills Workshop for the students of III semester, M.Sc. Psychology starting from October 17 to November 10, 2023. This workshop was divided into nine sessions of 2 hours each, with two major practical assignments.
The third session on the topic “Reflection of Content” was held on October 31, 2023 in M 509 from 4.00 to 6.00 pm. The resource person for the session was Ms. Naw Carolina Ashu, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Kristu Jayanti College. The session was attended by 57 students.
The session started with a moment of silence to reflect on oneself and bring oneself back to the present. The resource person then dove into the topic of self, how well we know ourselves, and how important it is in counselling. She led the class in a discussion about rapport building and how our personal biases have a role in the client-therapist relationship. Three important techniques used in reflection of content- summarising, paraphrasing and encouragement- were introduced. After an in-depth discussion on the three techniques used the class was engaged in a mock counselling session, where one student played the role of a client and the other the role of a therapist. The audience had to note down observations which were later used in the final discussion of reflection of content before the lecture came to an end
This session provided the students with the skills required to make the client feel heard and validated. The students were able to practice this skill during the session which is essential for providing effective and compassionate support to those in need.
Basic Counselling Skills Workshop- Session II
Date: 27 October 2023
The Department of Psychology, Kristu Jayanti College (Autonomous), Bengaluru, is organizing a 20-hour Basic Counselling Skills Workshop for the III semester, M.Sc. Psychology students starting from 17th October till 10th November 2023. This workshop is divided into nine sessions of 2 hours each with two major practical assignments.
The second session on “Observation Skills” was held on 27th October 2023 in M 509, 5th floor, Main Block, KJC, from 11.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. The resource person for the session was Ms. Sharmili Chatterjee, a faculty from the Department of Psychology, KJC. 57 students from III semester, M.Sc. Psychology, KJC, attended the session.
The two primary observation skills introduced during the session were verbal behaviour and non-verbal behaviour. Under verbal behaviour, the topics covered were identifying clients’ keywords in a counselling session, looking into selective attention, differences between abstract and concrete, and the role of “I and other” statements. The skills discussed under non-verbal behaviour included eye contact, facial expressions, and basic body language. The resource person also touched upon the areas of conflicts, incongruencies, and discrepancies that may arise in counselling sessions. Mock counselling sessions were conducted to demonstrate and practice the critical observation skills discussed during the session.
The workshop on Observation skills was informative and relevant. The practical tips and examples provided valuable insights into the importance of observational skills in counselling.
Orientation on Outcome Based Education
Date: 21 October 2023
21st October, 2023, the faculty members of the department of psychology were trained on Outcome Based Education.
The resource person, Ms Sharmili Chatterjee trained the faculties on the use of OBE in the field of education. After an initial explanation on OBE, information regarding College Policy on OBE was also provided.
Faculties were further informed on the ways to make measurable course outcomes. Further, they were also introduced to different Levels of Learning for the immediate pass out batches of the department.
Faculties appreciated the learning provided and keenly looks forward to more sessions on the topic.
Basic Counselling Skills Workshop
Date: 17 October 2023
The Department of Psychology had organised a 20-hour Basic Counselling Skills Workshop for the III semester, M.Sc. Psychology students starting from October 17 to November 10, 2023. This workshop is divided into nine sessions for 2 hours each with two major practical assignments.
The first session on the topic “Attending Behaviour” was held on October 17, 2023, in M 509, 5th floor, Main block, KJC from 3.30 pm to 5.30 pm. The resource person for the session was Ms. Shruti Rose, a faculty from the Department of Psychology, KJC. The session was attended by 57 students from III semester, M.Sc. Psychology, KJC.
During the session, the students were introduced to the first micro skill of the workshop- Attending behaviour. The training covered skills such as the foundational skill of listening, the 3V’s, and 1B (visual eye contact, verbal tracking, vocal qualities, and body language/facial expression). Further, there was training on communication skills, etiquette in a work setting, and ethical considerations during practice. The session concluded with an introduction to Case History Taking and Mental Status Examination.
The first session on Basic Counselling Skills provided participants with valuable insights into the basic skills required for effective counselling.
Field Visit to National Institute of Advanced Studies
Date: 16 October 2023
Department of Psychology, Kristu Jayanti College (Autonomous), Bengaluru, organized a field visit for the first-year PG students on the 16th of October 2023 to the prestigious National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru for a scientist-student interaction from 2:00 pm to 4.45 pm.
Prof. V. K. Dadhwal, Indira Gandhi Chair Professor of Environmental Sciences, NIAS, Prof. Sandhya M, Professor, NIMHNAS and Dr. V. V. Binoy, Associate Professor, Science Communication Programme, NIAS, presented on Space Research, Neuroimaging and Animal Cognition respectively, followed by an interaction with the students. 240 students participated in the program. Students learned about the value of an interdisciplinary approach to science and the broad scope of psychology in every domain involving behaviour. The visit was very enriching for understanding practical solutions and contributions to sustainability.
Webinar to commemorate World Mental Health Day
Date: 10 October 2023
The Department of Psychology commemorated World Mental Health day scheduled on 10th October 2023 by organizing a Webinar on “The Rights of people with Mental Illnesses: Decoding Mental Health Act 2017” from 9.00 am to 10.30 am. The resource person for the event was Dr. Suresh Bada Math, Professor, Department of Psychiatry, NIMAHNS. The webinar was attended by the faculties and 240, 1st semester M.Sc. Clinical Psychology students from the Psychology Department, KJC.
The webinar delved into the crucial topic of the Mental Health Act 2017. Dr. Math elucidated the significance of this legislation in safeguarding the rights and well-being of individuals with mental health issues. He discussed the key provisions of the act, emphasizing the decriminalization of suicide, the establishment of mental health review boards, and the importance of informed consent in mental health treatment.
Dr. Math highlighted how the Mental Health Act 2017 represented a significant milestone in transforming the landscape of mental healthcare in India. He stressed the importance of reducing stigma and discrimination associated with mental illnesses and ensuring access to quality mental health services for all. The session concluded with a vibrant Q & A segment, where students posed thought-provoking questions on various aspects of the Mental Health Act, its implementation, and the broader challenges in mental healthcare in India.
Kristu Jayanti College remains committed to promoting mental health awareness and providing a supportive environment for students and staff alike. This webinar served as a significant step in fulfilling this commitment, leaving a lasting impact on all those who participated.
Manodarshan 2023
Date: 30 September 2023
The Department of Psychology organized Manodarshan, a Psychology exhibition based on the theme “Our minds, Our right” on October 04, 2023 in the M1 auditorium from 9:50 am – 4:30 pm. The chief guest for the day was Fr. Dr. Augustine George, Principal of Kristu Jayanti College, Autonomous, Bangalore. A promotion took place at the quadrangle at 9:50 a.m. where a dance drama was performed based on Robert Sternberg’s Triangular Theory of Love. The promotion was witnessed by teachers and students from various departments.
The exhibition was inaugurated by Fr. Dr. Augustine George, Principal, which was marked by the cutting of the ribbon ceremony. At the inaugural ceremony, Fr. Dr. Augustine George asked all the students about their models and assessments and mentioned how impressed he was with the efforts put in by the 166 UG and PG participants in attempting to explain various concepts in Psychology. He also appreciated the passion and enthusiasm of the participants while talking about their models. There were still models and working models based on the different theories and phenomena in the field of psychology, and demonstrations/assessments used in psychological diagnosis and assessments at the exhibition. The judges of the models were our very own alumni, Ms. Christy Thomas and Ms. Lizbeth Sabu Koduvanal from the BA JPEng 2018 batch.
The exhibition witnessed the presence of over 100 students from St Vincent Palloti School, Prestige Group of Institutions, and the Global School of Counselling. During the valedictory ceremony, the prizes for the still and working models were handed over by Dr. Gopakumar A V, Dean of Humanities, and Dr. Sruthi Sivaraman, Head, Department of Psychology. The still model winners were the 5th semester Psychology and performing arts team, who presented a model on Mind Traps. The runners-up were the teams from 3rd semester Psychology and English and 5th semester Psychology and who presented models on gestation period and Multiple personality disorder respectively. The winners of the working model were the team from 3rd semester Psychology and Journalism and Performing Arts, who presented a working model on Autism spectrum disorder. The runners-up were the teams from 3rd Semester Psychology and 5th semester Psychology who presented models on Insight learning theory and Social Cognition Theory respectively.
Manodarshan paved the way for students to acquire insights into the different theories related to Psychology and their applications in day-to-day life, in a creative manner. Through the assessments, they were also able to demonstrate concepts of intelligence, planning, organizing, motivation, learning, cognition, etc. The event was a huge success with over 900 visitors who left with positivity and encouragement.
Propium Series - Expert Lecture on Organisational Development Practices
Date: 30 September 2023
The Department of Psychology organized a Proprium Series on September 30, 2023 at Panel Room P1 from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm. The resource person, Fr. Jais V Thomas, Financial Administrator, and Faculty, Department of Commerce and Management, Kristu Jayanti College delivered an Expert Lecture on Organisation Development (OD) Practices.
The students were engaged in design thinking concepts of S curve innovation, TRIZ method, 25/5 by Warren Buffet, Talent war by McKinsey (1997), system thinking, and Industry 5.0 highlighting the importance and scope of their skills in the future workplace. Students showed immense interest in economics and finance, including CTC, HRA, DA and FD, and their relevance to organizational management and development. Deep discussions on the Talent war benefitted the students to a better understanding of the concepts and active brainstorming of ideas and relevant examples.
25 students of III Semester MSc Psychology (Industrial and HRM specialization) attended the event and were satisfied with the applications of attracting, retaining and developing human resources, new learning and insights on AI and human interface, and strategic leadership and power as part of OD practices.
Field Visit to Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (SVYASA)
Date: 25 September 2023
On September 25th, we the students of Kristu Jayanti College got an opportunity to visit Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana(SVYASA). S-VYASA is the first full-fledged higher education yoga institution in Bengaluru, India. The university is dedicated to the study of yoga based on the teachings of Swami Vivekanda.
On our visit to S-VYASA, we were warmly welcomed into the campus by Dr H.R.Nagendra, chancellor of SVYASA followed by Dr. Ramesh M.N, who gave us an insight on Indian Psychology, how it focuses on the vibrant mind, harmonizing with interdependent cycle of food, sleep and stress. Their unique view on yoga, lifestyle, and the conscious mind was an enlightening moment in Prasanthi Kuttiram. Furthermore we were given an introduction about the concepts: Transcranial Doppler, Brain waves, and Stages of sleep which made us reflect on our own brain activity and how it affects our sleep cycle. Our unlimited questions about sleep and stages of consciousness were diligently answered by Sir. Bhuvanesh Kumar. The field visit to SVYASA was enriching and very insightful, as it opened a door for young brains to dive into the field of Indian Psychology which is yet to be explored by the younger generation.
World Suicide Prevention Day Observation
Date: 10 September 2023
The Department of Psychology commemorated World suicide prevention day scheduled on 10th September 2023 by organizing various activities. The main objectives of all the activities were to raise awareness about mental health, suicide prevention, and break the stigma surrounding these crucial issues.
The "Post It-Note" campaign was held on 7th Sept 2023 in the department. Students were warmly welcomed to participate by writing messages of support on sticky notes provided at the entrance of the staffroom. The sticky notes filled with messages of support and positivity were collected in a box. These notes were used to create a heart wall, which was displayed on 8th Sept and 9th Sept 2023 in the college for all the students. This installation was a tangible representation of the support and solidarity our college community extends to those struggling with mental health challenges. One significant aspect of the campaign was the active participation of students. Many students took the time to write heartfelt messages of encouragement and positivity on the sticky notes. It was heartwarming to see the genuine care and concern displayed by the students. In addition to post it-note activity, the final year undergraduate students of the department reached out to different suicide prevention helplines pan India and compiled a list of active helpline numbers which was displayed next to the heart wall.
In conclusion, the Suicide Prevention Day campaign organized by the Department of Psychology was a significant and impactful event. It not only raised awareness but also fostered a sense of empathy and support within our college community. This initiative has undoubtedly left a positive mark on our college and the students.
International Lecture series - Employee Innovativeness through Training and Development
Date: 08 September 2023
Department of Psychology has organized an International lecture series on 8/9/2023 at P-II conference hall, PG block, kristu Jayanti college.
from 2.00pm to 3.30 pm. Abhijit Ghosh, Professor, Lincoln University, Malaysia delivered a lecture on Employee Innovativeness through Training and Development. He emphasized on the similarities between the fields of psychology and business, also highlighting the thin line separating the same. Through a pledge, he urged the audience to find one's self and to have a clear and different perspective on life. He also spoke about the importance of personal branding and the importance of it in shaping our personalities.
He encouraged the students to build better interpersonal relationships with our peers and to maintain a balanced, fun-filled academic life. His key focus was to bring in interdisciplinary perspectives and to fuel our thinking hats by giving relevant examples. The session was attended by 70 students both under graduates and post graduates.
Proprium series- Expert Lecture on “The Fluid Concept of Self: Exploring Indian Philosophical Perspectives”
Date: 01 September 2023
Department of Psychology organized a Proprium series- Expert Lecture on “The Fluid Concept of Self: Exploring Indian Philosophical Perspectives” on the 1st of September 2023. The esteemed speaker of the day was Prof. Mukunda Rao, Prof (retired), Bangalore University, author, writer and playwright. The second and final year undergraduate students from the Department of Psychology were the participants.
The speaker Prof. Mukunda Rao delivered a throught provoking lecture on the concept of ‘self’ in the Indian context. The lecture challenged the traditional notions of self and emphasized its interconnectedness, fluidity, and complexity. Prof. Rao shared a contemporary view of self with an emphasis on perspectives derived from Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Additionally, the lecture delved into post-modernistic thinking, theories of universe creation, and the impact of conditioning on the concept of self.
Overall, it was an enlightening session, where the speaker encouraged the students to question their identities and embrace a more holistic understanding of the self. This understanding is opened up new avenues for personal growth, transformation, and the cultivation of empathy and compassion toward all beings. At the end of the session, students participated enthusiastically in the 30-minute question and answer round.
Placement and Training Orientation Program for PG final year students
Date: 30 August 2023
Department of Psychology in collaboration with the Center for Employability and Corporate Relations organized a Placement and Training Orientation Program for PG final year students on the 30th of August 2023 in A2 Auditorium, Admin Block, Kristu Jayanti College, Autonomous, Bengaluru from 3.30 pm to 4.30 pm.
Prof. Sen B Mathews, Director, CECR, Kristu Jayanti College, Autonomous, Bengaluru, delivered the Placement and Training Orientation on the topics of Placement, Training, and Recruitment. Prof. Mathews introduced the class by briefly outlining the significance of GATE for the students. 167 students participated in the program. Students learned about the value of professionalism, how to prepare for an interview, the value of communication, and how to conduct themselves in front of a business. This was a very facilitative space for the students to test their skills as the center will guide the students about the companies, the process, rounds, and much more. This can help students grasp the picture of the recruitment process.
Placement Training and Orientation Programme
Date: 30 August 2023
The Center for Employability and Corporate Relations (CECR) and Departement of Psychology, Kristu Jaynati College organized a Placement Training and Orientation Programme for the III Semester, PG students of the Department of Psychology. Prof Sen B Mathews, Director, CECR, Kristu Jayanti College was the speaker of the day. Prof. Mathews introduced the class by briefly outlining the significance of GATE for the students. The purpose of placement orientation was to inform students of how the placement process works in the college and training programme through GATE – Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering that tests comprehensive understanding on various subjects for a job in public sector companies and providing complete support for arranging placement activities on the campus and recommending students to them for internship and placement. Students learnt about the value of professionalism, how to prepare for an interview, the value of communication, and how to conduct themselves in front of a business. The best place for the students to test their skills as the department will guide the students about the companies, the process, rounds, and much more. This helps students got a great grasp of the picture.
Life Skill Training for the 1st year PG Psychology students
Date: 23 to 26 August 2023
Department of psychology in association with centre for life skill organized life skill training for the 1st year PG Psychology students from August 23 to August 26, 2023.
The training programme is inaugurated by Dr. Sruthi Sivaraman, Head, Department of Psychology and Mr. Vigraanth Bapu K G, PG programme Coordinator.
The main objective of the programme was to train the students in different Life skills – Self-Awareness, Decision Making, Problem Solving, Critical Thinking, Creative Thinking, Interpersonal Relationships, Empathy, Communication Skills, Coping with Emotions and Stress. Ms. Vimala M, Ms. Sharmili Chatterjee, Dr. Kiran Babu N C, Ms. Deena Dixon, Dr. Cynthia Sara James, Dr. Deepthi Vijayan, Dr. Lokesh L, Ms. Deepmala Sutar, Ms. Noor Fathima, Mr. Vigraanth Bapu KG, Dr. Anjana Sinha, Ms. Priyanka, Ms. Soumya Simon, Dr. Sukumar, Ms. Pooja DG, Ms. Naw Carolina, Ms. Sarah Saju, Anitha Mary Mathew are the resource persons for the programme.
Value Added Course on Gate keepers Training for Suicide Prevention
Date: 18-23 August 2023
The Department of Psychology (PG) organized Value Added Course on Gate keepers Training for Suicide Prevention for first year M.Sc. Psychology, Counselling and Clinical Psychology students for four days. The first session focused on introductory aspects which highlighted the importance and relevance of the course. The session concluded with the vote of thanks and feedback by the students.
The next session was on introduction to the importance of suicide prevention, its prevalence, psychological causes, psychological disorder, physical illness, sociodemographic factors, and environmental factors, myths and facts; legal and ethical aspects of suicide Disorder, Physical illness, sociodemographic factors, and environmental factors, Risk Assessment-Risk Factors, Warning signs, Protective factors, Risk factors in a special group, Dealing with hospitalization, Intervention-Universal, Selective and Indicated, Risk Assessment and steps, Prevention of suicide in individual at risks- role of healthcare workers, Immediate Intervention-crisis plan, safety net, referral and postvention, Care for suicide attempt survivors-need, long- term care and ongoing care, Initial Preparation, Conducting first meeting, Creating community action plan and Monitor and Evaluation of the community action plan; Community feedback meeting.
Ten hours of self-study was given to facilitate in-depth learning. An exam was conducted in the last session as part of evaluation.The students of Department of Psychology were highly grateful for organizing such an informative and need of the hour topic.
Workshop on “Orientation to Group Counselling"
Date: 14 August 2023
The Department of Psychology at Kritu Jayanti College orchestrated a profound two-day workshop from August 21st to 22nd, 2023. This workshop tailored for the 3rd semester MSc Counselling Psychology students, delved into the intricate world of “Orientation to Group Counselling.” Mr. Anil V Iyer, a counselling psychologist and seasoned professional in the field, guided 55 enthusiastic participants through a comprehensive exploration of group counselling dynamics.
Mr. Iyer commenced the workshop with an enlightening introduction to group counselling, laying the groundwork for the ensuing discussions. He deftly navigated through the similarities and distinctions between group counselling and its individual counterpart, fostering a holistic understanding of their applications and nuances. Throughout the sessions, the structural underpinnings of group counselling sessions were meticulously unveiled. The therapeutic processes inherent within group dynamics were explored in depth, accompanied by a meticulous breakdown of the employment of counselling skills within a group context. The multifaceted utility and overarching objectives and goals of group counselling were elucidated, granting participants a comprehensive grasp of its scope and potential. An integral facet of the workshop encompassed a comprehensive exploration of group leadership. Mr. Iyer meticulously delineated the qualities of an effective group leader, emphasizing the indispensable role they play in facilitating constructive group dynamics. The intricacies of ethical and professional considerations in group counselling were thoroughly examined, fostering awareness among participants regarding potential challenges and best practices.
The workshop was characterized by Mr. Iyer's ingenious pedagogical approach, engaging participants through a creative activity. Attendees were divided into groups and tasked with collaboratively crafting posters depicting their envisioned group counselling scenarios. This hands-on endeavor not only fostered active participation but also spurred innovative thinking and practical application of concepts. Mr. Iyer seamlessly intertwined theoretical insights with real-world practical experiences, bridging the gap between academia and practice. His expertise shone through as he expertly navigated complex concepts, cultivating a profound and meaningful learning experience. His encouraging demeanour and commitment to fostering an enriching environment empowered participants to ardently engage with the subject matter. The resounding impact of the workshop was palpable in the collective sentiment of gratitude and admiration expressed by the attendees. Mr. Iyer's insights and methodologies were transformative, allowing participants to grasp the essence of group counselling as both a theoretical construct and a potent therapeutic modality. In conclusion, the Department of Psychology at Kritu Jayanti College successfully orchestrated a workshop that significantly enriched the academic journey of 3rd semester MSc Counselling Psychology students. The collaboration with Mr. Anil V Iyer, an esteemed resource person, bridged theory and practice, leaving a lasting impact on participants. This workshop’s success paves the way for future collaborations that foster holistic learning experiences and equip aspiring counselling psychologists with practical wisdom for their academic and professional pursuits.
Anti-Ragging Campaign
Date: 14 August 2023
Humanity is one of the most important life skill amongst all other skills that an individual requires to grow in life and it is learnt through experience and having experts talk about it.
An informative campaign on “Anti-Ragging” was organized by The Department of Psychology in association with The Department of Law at Kristu Jayanti College, Autonomous, Bangalore to spread awareness amongst the students on Ragging.
Ms. Shreya Thomas, Faculty, Department of Psychology welcomed the honourable guest Ms. Raksha Prakash, Faculty, Department of Law and introduced her to the audience. Along with the students, Dr. Sruthi Sivaraman, Head of the Psychology Department; Ms.Vimala Arun, UG Coordinator, Department of Psychology; and the Faculty Department of Psychology were present amongst the audience.
The event then commenced with Ms.Vimala Arun presenting a token of honour to Ms. Raksha Prakash. The guest speaker took up the stage for an informative and interactive session on what ragging is and why it is necessary to spread awareness amongst the youth about the Anti-Ragging Campaign and how to seek help.
The history of ragging, Indian Penal Codes that safeguard students’ rights, consequences of engaging in ragging, appropriate ways to seek assistance, how to report ragging, and instances that led to the creation of such laws in support of students were all explained to the students.
Students were informed about how the university may assist students who are dealing with such problems as the session came to a close. Ms. Vimala Arun offered the vote of gratitude.
Life Skills Training for the first semester Psychology, PYEN and PYJO students
Date: 10, 11 & 14 August 2023
The Department of Psychology organized the Life Skills Training for the first semester Psychology, PYEN and PYJO students on 10/08/2023, 11/08/2023 & 14/08/2023. The session was held in two different venues for the single and double major courses. Dr. Sruthi Sivaraman, Head, Department of Psychology and Ms. Vimala M, UG Programme Coordinator, Department of Psychology gave the introduction to the Life Skills Education. The teachers introduced the ten life skills for budding psychologists and highlighted the importance of life skills in an individual’s personal and professional life.
The focus of the training programme was to take the students through the ten pivotal life skills namely Self-awareness, Empathy, Creative Thinking, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, Decision Making, Communication, Interpersonal Relations, Coping with Emotions, and Coping with Stress. These skills are essential for a holistic and purpose-driven life. It also equips a person with professional competencies.
Perspective of Film as a Multidisciplinary Text on Mental Health Research
Date: 09 August 2023
An Interesting workshop on “Perspective of Film as a Multidisciplinary Text on Mental Health Research” was organized by the Department of Psychology in association with The Psychology Club at Kristu Jayanti College, Bangalore, for 1st, 3rd and 5th semester students of BA Psychology.
Ms. Shreya Thomas (Psychology Club Coordinator), Faculty, Department of Psychology Welcomed the honorable guest of the day, Mr. Sourav Sarkar (Film Maker and Educator) and introduced him to the enthusiastic audience. Along with the students, Dr. Sruthi Sivaraman, Head of the Department Psychology, Ms. Vimala Arun, UG Coordinator, Department of Psychology, and the Faculty, Department of psychology were also seated among the audience. The event then commenced with Ms. Vimala Arun, UG Coordinator- Department of Psychology, presenting a token of honour and respect to the guest Mr. Sourav Sarkar.
Mr. Sourav soon took up the stage to unravel his experience of film making from a psychological and a sociological perspective to the audience. Following this, a short fictional film, ‘Anoochcharito’ was shown to the audience to enhance the creativity and perspective of the curious young minds.
The session concluded with an interactive session between the students and the speaker and a closing note by Ms. Naw Carolina Ashu (Psychology Club Coordinator), Faculty- Department of Psychology.
Orientation on Experimental Psychology and Movie Screening
Date: 09 August 2023
An orientation was held on Experimental psychology for 1st year students of BA Psychology, PYJO and PYEN by the Department of Psychology.
Ms. Sharmili Chatterjee, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, delivered an informative and engaging talk on the importance of experimental psychology, principles, hypothesis and many more aspects of the subject in the first half of the afternoon session.
The orientation was followed by a movie screening held by the Department of Psychology in association with the psychology club to help the students understand some basic components of the subject which would help each one of the young minds to be a better person and a better psychologist. The movie which was screened was titled “Inside Out” which is an animated movie that shows the importance of all the basic emotions (joy, sadness, anger, fear & disgust) and how acknowledging each emotion regardless of whether they are pleasant or unpleasant is crucial in life.
The session ended with a brief on the psychological aspect of the movie and how to practice it in our daily life by Ms. Naw Carolina Ashu (Psychology Club Coordinator)- Assistant professor, Department of Psychology.
Seven Days Faculty Development Programme (FDP) Holistic Living: Empowering Teachers through Yoga
Date: 07- 17 August 2023
The Faculty Development Programme (FDP) was conducted from August 7th to August 17th, 2023, with the aim of enhancing the skills and knowledge of the participating faculty members. The program was designed to provide both theoretical and practical insights into Yoga, with a focus on fostering a holistic understanding of this ancient practice. This programme was inaugurated by Rev. Fr. Immanual P. J. Director, Kristu Jayati College of Law, and Director International Relation Office. During his inaugural address, he emphasized the importance of yoga in the daily life of a teacher. The program featured distinguished resource persons who guided the participants through various sessions.
This seven-day Faculty Development Programme commenced with a Theoretical introduction setting the tone for the upcoming days. Mr. K G Vigraanth Bapu, PG Programme coordinator, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, and an expert in Yoga, delivered an enlightening talk on the Theory of Yoga. He provided a comprehensive overview of the historical and philosophical aspects of Yoga, emphasizing its significance in contemporary life. This session served as a foundation for the participants to delve deeper into the practice of Yoga.
The next four days focused on practical aspects of Yoga. Participants learned the practical from Mr. K G Vigraanth Bapu and Ms Gomathi, Physical Education Teacher, Centre for Physical Education & Fitness, Kristu Jayanti College, who guided them through various Yoga exercises and postures. Practical demonstrations and hands-on experiences allowed faculty members to understand the physical and mental benefits of Yoga. Participants left the program with enhanced knowledge, improved practical skills, and a newfound appreciation for Yoga. It is expected that they will not only incorporate Yoga into their own lives but also share their learnings with their students, contributing to the overall well-being of the academic community.
Workshop on Research Article Formatting and Book Chapter Writing
Date: 05 August 2023
The Department of Psychology recently organized a workshop on “Research Article formatting and Book Chapter Writing” on 05-08-2023 A3 Auditorium enhance the skills of postgraduate students. The workshop saw the participation of 240 students, including those from MSc Clinical sections A and B, MSc Counselling Psychology, and MSc Psychology.
The workshop was graced by the presence of two distinguished resource persons, Dr. Kiran Babu N C and Dr. Lokesh L. Both experts in their respective fields, brought their valuable insights to the session, enriching the learning experience for the students.
The primary learning outcome of the workshop was to equip students with the necessary skills for formatting and editing research articles according to the APA format, with a focus on book publication. Through hands-on activities, the students gained practical experience in the process of writing and editing research articles, ensuring that they adhered to the stringent requirements of the APA format. This valuable skill is crucial for their future endeavours, enabling them to contribute to scholarly publications effectively.
Moreover, the workshop went beyond traditional learning methods by providing students with a practical platform to explore the intricacies of writing book chapters. This initiative aimed to prepare students for potential opportunities to contribute to book publications in their respective fields. By providing them with hands-on experience, the workshop enabled the students to gain confidence in their ability to craft comprehensive and insightful book chapters.
A significant highlight of the workshop was the interactive session where students clarified their doubts related to editing book chapters. Dr. Kiran Babu and Dr. Lokesh proficiently addressed students' queries, that they thoroughly understood the editing process and the nuances of book chapter composition.
Workshop on Rorshach Inkblot Test
Date: 03 August 2023
On August 03, 2023, students of Counselling Psychology attended a workshop on Rorshach Inkbklot test.
The half – a day workshop was aimed to give hands on training for the topic. The resource person for the workshop was Dr Rema M. K. Dr. Rema who upholds a vast career as a professional Clinical Psychologist and now she is an Assistant Professor at Kristu Jayanti College.
The goal of the workshop was to expose the students of counselling psychology on the topics of introduction to Rorschach Inkblot Test and its administration. After a detailed explanation on Personality assessments in the light of Projective Techniques, basic history of history and various techniques of the Rorschach Inkblot Test was discussed. The session further included elaboration on the Exner’s method of administering the Test with appropriate coding and analysis. The session laid the seed for learning the Rorschach Inkblot test in the hearts of the learners. It was indeed an enriching and enlightening experience for the participants.
Value Added Course on “PROFESSONAL ETIQUETTE”
Date: 2/08/2023 to 08/08/2023
The Department of Psychology organized a Value Added Course on “PROFESSONAL ETIQUETTE” for I semester BA Psychology A and B section; and I semester Psychology and Journalism students. It was a half a day program held from 2nd August to 8th August 2023 at Kristu Jayanti College, Bangalore. A total of 158 students attended the course. The purpose of the course was to equip the undergraduate first year students on healthy etiquette which will assist them in their professional life.
The resource persons for the VAC were professors from the Dept. of psychology, Kristu Jayanti College. Considering the students was to apply the learning from the course in carrying out their professional journey; the syllabus for the VAC was curated by the professors in the department to be simple yet an extensive introduction to professional social skills.
The main topics covered during the VAC were etiquette of personal contact, personal appearance, netiquette, and public speaking etiquette. Students were further explained on the need and ways to write appropriate email along with training on making professional presentations.
Students were also informed on using digital media for professional promotion and healthy etiquettes in different social media platforms.
The students were graded on three assignments for their VAC, on the last day in the schedule. The first assignment was to make and update their LinkedIn Profile. Second assignment was on writing a formal Email. The third assignment was on making a presentation about themselves. The course concluded with valuable feedback from the beneficiaries. This VAC was indeed a space where a lot of learning occurred in such a short span.
Value-Added Course on “Personal Branding”
Date: 28/07/2023 to 02/08/2023
The Department of Psychology organised a Value-Added Course on “Personal Branding” for III semester M.Sc. Psychology, M.Sc. Clinical Psychology, M.Sc. Counselling Psychology students from 28/07/2023 to 02/08/2023.
The values added course focused on the key elements of building a personal band. The resource persons helped the students to understand the need for personal branding as a psychologist and the various platforms that would help them to build the personal brand. The sessions were interactive and included a lot of activities for the students to be able to understand and implement the various aspects learnt during the session in the real life scenario. Students had to work on daily assignments based on the day’s learning. About 240 students attended the value added course and benefited from the session. Overall, it was a time of deep introspection, learning and application of personal branding techniques in the field of Psychology.
Value Added Course on “Professional Skills on Internship”
Date: 25/07/2023 to 01/08/2023
Department of Psychology organised a Value Added Course on “Professional Skills on Internship” for III semester BA (BA Hons /PYJO/PYPA) students from 25/07/2023 to 01/08/2023.
The main motto of the training was to enlighten the students about the skills required to be an intern in an organisation, different behavioural styles and the significance of internship techniques. About 124 students benefitted from the course. The resource person for the sessions were in-house faculty members, which created a comfortable ambience for the students to carry on the activities like role plays, poster making, and group discussion. Overall, sessions were interactive, with an assignment on essential skills required to be a good intern. The students took up an examination to complete the course. The students’ feedback was positive and the experiential learning made the course interesting and effective.
Reorientation program for our III Semester PG Psychology
Date: 27 July 2023
The department of psychology organized a reorientation program on July 27, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. in the M1 auditorium, Main Block for III semester MSc Psychology, MSc Counselling Psychology and MSc Clinical Psychology students. Mr. Vigraanth Bapu, PG Programme Coordinator, Department of Psychology, warmly welcomed the gathering and introduced the department's new faculty members. He also played a crucial role in the event by briefing the attendees about upcoming departmental events. Dr. Deepthi Vijayan, Faculty, Department of Psychology, emphasized the Jayantian Code of Conduct.
The department reorientation to activities and code of conduct successfully equipped our students with essential knowledge and motivation for their academic pursuits and personal development.
Reorientation programme for our III and V Semester BA Psychology (PYEN, PYJO, and PYPA)
Date: 24 July 2023
The Department of Psychology organized a reorientation programme on July 24, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. in the M1 auditorium, Main Block. The participants were III semester BA Psychology , Psychology and English/Journalism/Performing Arts students and V semester BA Psychology, Psychology and English/Journalism/Performing Arts students.
Dr. Sruthi Sivaraman, the Head of the Department of Psychology, warmly welcomed the gathering and introduced the newly joined faculty members. Ms. Vimala M, UG Programme Coordinator, Department of Psychology, played a crucial role in the event by briefing the attendees about new initiatives and upcoming departmental events. Her encouraging words motivated students to explore the diverse opportunities for self-improvement provided by the department and college. Emphasizing that the Jayantian Code of Conduct was an integral part of the program, Ms. Vimala M urged all students to actively participate in departmental activities scheduled for the academic year. Ms. Anitha Mathew, faculty, Department of Psychology, delivered an informative session on Psychology lab etiquette. This provided valuable insights into maintaining a professional environment within psychology practical labs.
The department's reorientation on code of conduct successfully equipped our students with essential knowledge and motivation for their academic pursuits and personal development.
Movie Screening - A Sneak Peak into Late Adulthood
Date: 17 April 2023
The Movie Screening titled ‘A Sneak Peak into Late Adulthood’ took place on Pg. Block, 5th floor, P1 Auditorium on 17th April 2023. It was held from 11 am to 12:45 pm. It commenced with an introduction by Ms. Diya Ann Anil from BA JPEng-B, who was also the student coordinator of the Psychology Club. She highlighted the importance of being aware of old age and the need to take care of the elderly. Prof. Naw Carolina Ashu, teacher coordinator of the Psychology Club
Addressed the gathering and asked them to take down notes in order to submit a report. After this, the movie was screened for 1 hour 45 minutes. The students thoroughly enjoyed it and were able to relate it to developmental psychology. The Photography team for the event included Ms. Jicy Joy and Ms. Pooja from BA JPEng-B. After the movie was screened, Ms. Sharmili Chaterjee gave a few key points regarding it and helped the students to connect it to various real-life situations. The vote of thanks was then given by MS. Diya Ann Anil after which the event was concluded.
‘Young Researchers Meet- 2023’ - ‘Qualitative Research Analysis’
Date: 13 April 2023
The Department of Psychology of Kristu Jayanti College, Bengaluru, organized the ‘Young Researchers Meet- 2023’ on 13th April at the M3 Auditorium, Main Block. The forum was for students and young researchers, who are determined to play a proactive role in scientific progress. The programme started with a silent prayer, after which Dr. Anjana Sinha (Event Coordinator) delivered the welcome address. The resource person for the guest lecture on ‘Qualitative Research Analysis’ was Dr. Anuradha S, Professor, Department of Psychology, Christ University, Bengaluru. She started her session with a humorous and light-hearted rapport building with the students and teachers. Further, she discussed the basic differences between qualitative and quantitative research. She then discussed the correct way to write a qualitative research paper, its different components, and different factors to keep in mind when approaching this research method. To maintain the interest of the students, Dr. Anuradha engaged them in amusing activities such as singing ‘Baa-baa-black sheep’ while standing and waving their hands. It was an interactive, fun, and engaging session for the teachers as well as for the students.
After the short break, there was a paper presentation session for the IV semester Psychology Honours students. Dr. Sruthi Sivaraman chaired the session and Prof. Sharmila Chatterjee moderated the presentations. There were five paper presentations in total, and Sruthi Ma’am gave her valuable suggestions to them in modifying their research paper. It was an outstanding learning experience for the students.
Workshop on Transcendental Meditation
Date: 10 April 2023
A workshop was organized by the Department of Psychology, Kristu Jayanti College on 10/04/2023. The chief guest for the event was Dr. Gopukumar Kumarpillai, a Neuropsychologist. He has over 15 years of clinical/research experience in the field of Psychology from The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS); and at Foothills Hospital, Department of Neurosciences, Calgary University, Canada. He also has 10 years of organization management experience.
He has made more than 80 professional presentations, nationally and internationally. Under his guidance, several students have been awarded Ph.D. and currently, he is guiding many Ph.D./M.Phil., research work. He has served as an external examiner for his MPhil/Ph.D. degree. His co-authored NIMHANS Neuropsychology Battery (1st edition in 2004 and now in its 2nd Edition - printing) is the only Neuropsychology battery widely used in India. He received an international travel grant for his research work on cognitive changes and HIV1 & 2 (Italy and Canada); and cognitive impairment & Epilepsy (China). His research interests are in Neuropsychology, Behaviour Technology, Counselling Psychology, Educational Psychology, Sports Psychology, Cognitive Impairment & Retraining, Alternative therapy, and Stress Management. The workshop focused on Transcendental Meditation (TM) which is a type of meditation that was developed by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in the mid-1950s. Through the workshop, we learned that TM is based on the idea that each person has a transcendental state of consciousness that is beyond waking, sleeping, and dreaming. By practicing TM, individuals can access this state of deep restful awareness, which can lead to a range of benefits such as reduced stress, improved mental clarity, increased creativity, and better overall health. We also learned that TM has been extensively studied over the years and has been found to have a range of positive effects on physical and mental health.
We also learned about various other breathing techniques and their benefits. We had the opportunity to learn about hypnosis and the statistical distribution of the population who are considered suggestible for hypnosis. The session also provided us with the opportunity to gain more knowledge about pressure points.
We concluded the session with a Deep Relaxation technique post in which students shared their views and experience. The participants also asked various questions and exchanged views about spirituality, psychology, stress management, and various other subjects.
Overall, it was an honor to learn so much about TM, hypnosis, stress management, spirituality, and various other topics from one of the well-known neuropsychologists in India.
International Day of Autism Awareness
Date: 03 April 2023
Department of Psychology, Kristu Jayanti College, Bangalore observed the International Day of Autism Awareness in collaboration with the United Nations Academic Impact. Two first-year Psychology Journalism students, Ms. Diya, and Ms. Rima assembled a video where students were talking about what they knew about autism and about the importance of spreading awareness about the same. The video also consisted of a professor giving a clinical explanation about the autistic condition among children and how to deal with the same. The faculty coordinators of the program were Ms. Mahashwetha Chakraborty and Ms. Arya A Menon.
Workshop on Dance and Movement Therapy
Date: 06 and 10 March 2023
The Department of Psychology conducted a workshop on Dance and Movement Therapy for the Final year students of MSc in Counselling and Psychology on 6th March 2023 and 10th March 2023. The two days workshop was led by Ms. Diana Tholoor.
Ms. Diana has many years of experience in Theatre Film Maker, Dance, and Training for Corporate people. She works with individuals of different ages, genders, and abilities.
Her zestful personality spread among the students as she began her session. Her energy and motivation filled the room as she spoke about why she was there and focused on how she even teaches the elderly dance. She explained what dance really is, contrary to the beliefs we hold about dance. The session consisted of various movements and activities.
On 6th March 2023, the students were divided into nine groups consisting of ten students each. She was observant and conversed with various students. She then began a song and initiated everyone to dance their hearts out. It involved all the students to come up with their composition of movements. The groups were assigned the task to come up with their own movements for a song and they would be required to present the same on stage. All the groups were given time to practice and come up with their own unique choreography. After the practice, each one of the groups came up on stage and presented their work. All of them showcased the fun and exciting ways of using different kinds of steps to match the rhythm of the song. The post-task activity included creatively naming their groups and answering the following questions:
1. Why did we choose these sets of movements and how did each member contribute to them?
2. What did we expect when we chose and executed those movements?
3. Could we name those emotions experienced?
4. Did anyone experience resistance from the team? If so, how did the group overcome the same?
5. Did we get what we expected? What would we change in it?
6. The day ended with the students delivering their answers with the help of charts in various manners and presenting their work in front of everyone.
On 10th March 2023, the session began with talking about the importance of movement. The previously formed groups were seated together and instructed to perform a set of rhythmic movements that are applied to make individuals calm and focused. The students were asked to come up with one set of unique clapping movements that can be easily followed by all individuals in psychological settings. Following that they were also asked to come up with some dance steps again keeping in mind the different kinds of populations and their needs. Each group was then asked to present their steps. To end the two-day workshop, Diana Ma’am expressed gratitude to everyone. Ms. Lekha from second year MSc. Psychology gave the vote of thanks. The learning intake from the sessions with Diana Ma’am will be of immense help to the students in their career.
Workshop on Tools and Techniques of Family Therapy
Date: 06 March 2023
The Department of Psychology conducted a workshop on Tools and Techniques of Family Therapy for the final year students of M.Sc. in Psychology/Counselling/Clinical on the 20th of March, 2023. Ms. Kashish Kataria, a student with M.Sc. in Counselling Psychology final year, introduced the resource person - Dr. Fr. Anish Seban Cheripurath, Director of Santhitheeram Institute of Couple and Mental Health Centre in Kerala, and she handed over the session to him.
Fr. Seban greeted the crowd and spoke about the uniqueness of counseling with couples. He specifically pointed out how unique each couple is and how important it is for us to pay attention to this point while clinically working with them. Father spoke about specific ground rules to be mentioned while beginning the family therapy, such as essential details of the couple/family, the consent form, introducing oneself, and the couple, and talking about confidentiality. He depicted this to the students through role-play, which made it easier for everyone to understand. He further explained, how as a therapist, one needs to make sure that the couple does not conflict with each other while speaking about their problems during the therapy but rather focuses on talking about their side of the story. As a therapist, one should also focus on the underlying cause rather than focusing on the superficially depicted issue. Fr. Seban exhibited many instances to the students through videos, where daily conflicts could lead to troubles in the marriage life. He also emphasized the psychological needs of a husband and a wife that is required to be fulfilled by the opposite gender. Failing to do so can lead to issues in intimacy and marriage.
Post that, Father called upon two students to volunteer for a role-play, wherein they were given a marriage satisfaction scale in a therapy setting to fill in. The rest of the students were also provided with a marriage satisfaction scale copy to fill in and to have a brief idea about it.
Many questionnaires and scales were given throughout the scale, which sir specifically uses in his therapy sessions. They were - Psychological Needs Worksheet, Intimacy Form, Caring Days Assessments, and The Marriage Expectation Inventory.
Sir also performed various activities to keep the energy alive among the students. The students were asked to mention their expectations of their future partner, some of which were discussed later on, and he discussed how different each of our psychological needs is and the uniqueness of each requirement. There was another role-play conducted, where the students participated enthusiastically. The students dispersed after the activity for the afternoon break.
After the break, everyone settled in. Father introduced us to the Magic Ratio given by John Gottman, a renowned family therapist. He gave the students a magic ratio of 5:1 which means that for each negative conversation during an argument, a blissful and happy marriage would have five or more positive conversations. He explained this to everyone with various examples, which made it easier for the students to understand. Then a role-play session was conducted, which focused on premarital counseling. In the role play, couples had issues that needed to be resolved before marriage. An assessment for the same can help in dealing with that conflict. After that, Father Seban showed the students how couples can lead their married life better. He said that he always suggests his clients to each other in public and criticizes in them private. This helps in dealing with problems in a better manner. He also mentioned the importance of maintaining boundaries in and around the marriage. He further discussed anger management and was briefed on how to overcome it. Finally, Father showed everyone the structure of couple therapy, which begins with couples filling out the forms, introducing each other and mentioning ground rules, having a shared session, assessing intimacy, conducting individual sessions, and psychological interpretation by the therapist.
Father answered the question posed by curious students. Ms. Kashish thanked him for his valuable presence. The workshop ended with a photo session, followed by students dancing joyfully.
Manodarshan: Psychology exhibition
Date: 28 February 2023
Department of Psychology organized Manodarshan, a Psychology exhibition on 28th February 2023 in the M1 auditorium from 9:50 am – 4:30 pm. The chief guests for the day were Fr Emmanuel PJ, Director of Kristu Jayanti College of Law, and Dr. Gopa Kumar AV, Dean of Humanities, Kristu Jayanti College. A promotion took place at the quadrangle where a skit was performed related to the movie ‘black swan’ was. The promotion was witnessed by various teachers and students from various departments. At the inaugural ceremony, Fr Emmanuel asked all the students about their models and assessments. Fr Emmanuel gave a short speech in which he mentioned how impressed he was with the students as there were more participants this year compared to last year. A vote of thanks was delivered by Prof Shreya Thomas. There were 180 participants from both UG and PG departments. There were still models, working models, and demonstrations/assessments at the exhibition. St Vincent Palloti school and the National Institute of Open Schooling were the two schools that visited the exhibition. Fr Jais V Thomas, Financial administrator of Kristu Jayanti College, and Fr Deepu Joy, Director of student welfare of Kristu Jayanti college visited the exhibition. The other visitors were students from different departments. Fr Deepu Joy was invited to the valedictory session and he also gave away the prizes to the winners. Through Manodarshan, the students acquired many insights into different theories related to psychology. The event was a huge success and the feedback received from the visitors was very good and positive.
International lecture series - ‘Relationships- Source of both Woundedness and Healing’
Date: 13 February 2023
The department of Psychology organized an insightful lecture on the topic- ‘Relationships- Source of both Woundedness and Healing’ in association with the Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio, USA on the 13th of February, 2023. The virtual lecture series was witnessed by the final-year students of the department of psychology. Our esteemed resource person for the day was Dr. Regina Boerio who is a professor of Psychology, Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences at the Franciscan University of Steubenville. The session was graced by the presence of Dr. Tiffany Boury, Coordinator of global academic partnerships, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel P.J., Director of International relations Office, Kristu Jayanti College, and the faculty members of the department.
Dr. Regina began the lecture by sharing some facts about the dynamics of relationships and the importance of every individual’s perspective in the cohesiveness and understanding that bears the foundation of any kind of relationship. She shared some glimpses of her personal experiences with clients and threw light up on their behavioral changes after taking up psychotherapy which aided them to understand themselves as well as their counterparts better. She also spoke about the different challenges faced during the therapeutic process and the ways in which she dealt with them.
As the session concluded, the floor was open for queries just as the students raised their questions and cleared doubts regarding the topic of discussion. Dr. Regina Boerio was enthralled by the response from the students and the session concluded with a formal vote of thanks.
Industry-Academia Interaction Series
Date: 17 February 2023
A session on Industry-Academia Interaction Series was conducted for the students of M.Sc. Psychology and M.Sc. Counseling on February 17, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. The objective of the session was to bridge the gap between the corporate world reality and academia. The session was conducted by Ms. Rinku Thomas, General Human Resource Manager, HCL. Many aspects were discussed, such as the importance of upskilling and staying relevant in the area of expertise. Several questions regarding entering corporate entry from the freshers’ perspective were discussed by the resource person and she emphasized that a Master’s degree holds great value in the market and a fresher should be open to all kinds of experiences and challenges.
We were also enlightened about various policies and measures taken by the companies during the pandemic and post-pandemic. Some of the measures included compensating the family by providing a job for one of the family members in case the employee is the sole breadwinner in the family and providing a life coach to all the employees to help them deal with their emotions pertaining to their personal lives. These life coaches were either volunteers from the HR team, psychologists, or psychiatrists. The key takeaway from the session was that there is no substitute for hard work.
Symposium titled: “Life Adjustment in Young Adulthood
Date: 04 February 2023
The Symposium titled ‘Life Adjustment in Young Adulthood’ took place in PG Block 5th floor Mini Auditorium on 4th February 2023. It was held from 10 am to 12:00 pm. It commenced with an introduction given by Prof. Deepmala Sutar, who was also the emcee for the day. The Head of the Department, Prof. Dr. Molly Joy, graced the occasion by delivering the welcome address, followed by nine speakers, who are professors from the Department of Psychology. The first speaker was Dr. Anjana Sinha, who spoke on Parenting Adjustment and how she continued to maintain a bond with her children even after staying away from them for work. The next speaker was Dr. Kiran, who spoke on Parenting Adjustment and adjusting with in-laws, followed by Mr. Vigraanth Bapu, who briefed about his experiences in taking up household responsibilities and marital life adjustment. Dr. Cynthia Sara James was the next speaker who spoke on the responsibilities of parenthood and marital lifestyle. Then Dr. Deepthi D. P. spoke about her long-distance relationship with her husband after marriage. Ms. Procheta Mahanta was the next speaker who spoke on marital adjustment, household responsibilities, and gender roles. Dr. Lokesh L expressed his thoughts about vocational life, disclosed the challenges he faced, and emphasized the importance of working during young adulthood. The next speaker was Dr. Arjun Sekhar, who spoke on non-marital lifestyles. The last speaker was Ms. Soumya Simon, who spoke about the life experiences that molded her, several challenges she faced in her career, and her adjustment to a single lifestyle. The 2nd year students of UG Psychology were the audience and they were encouraged to write down their doubts on small slips of paper. Prof. Naw Carolina Ashu and Ms. Sharmili Chaterjee were the Teacher Coordinators for the event. The photography team for the event included students from the media team as well.
The vote of thanks was given by Prof. Deepmala Sutar and the event concluded with great applause.
Documentary Screening
Date: 30 January 2023
The documentary series ‘House of Secrets’ directed by Leena Yadav and Anubhav Chopra was screened for BA - JPCS, PEP, and JPEng – A and B students. It was organized by the Department of Psychology on 30th January 2023.
The Netflix documentary is a three-part true crime series, which focuses on the mysterious deaths of eleven members of a family in Delhi’s Burari neighborhood in 2018. The series traces the mystery behind the deaths and also attempts to answer what led to them. Before the screening of the movie, we were asked to focus on the biosocial and psychological aspects of the series.
After the screening of the docuseries, there was a discussion on psychosis, the effectiveness of social autopsy, and psychology autopsy. The students also discussed it from both journalistic and psychological perspectives. In the end, students had some insight into the biosocial and psychological aspects of the series.
Expert Lecture on Clinical Picture of Addiction
Date: 25 January 2023
Department of Psychology organized a proprium series on 25th January 2023 in the A1 conference hall from 10 am -12.30 pm. The resource person for the guest lecture series ‘Clinical Picture Of Addiction’ was Dr. P.N. Thomas, Retired Professor & HOD, Clinical Psychology, SRM University.
The resource person was familiarized with the students by Dr. Molly Joy. The objective of the guest lecture series was to disseminate knowledge on Addiction among postgraduate students of Clinical Psychology and Counselling Psychology. The session alleged on differentiating psychological diseases and disorders. The focus was also laid on differentiating use, dependence, and substance abuse. The impact of abuse on protective factors. DSM criteria were discussed with extreme curiosity-building factors among the students. Finally, the consequence of building tolerance and indications of withdrawal symptoms were explained with real-life examples.
Dr. P.N. Thomas enlightened the students with the study findings on the genetic predisposition of Alcoholism in children of alcoholics.
177 participants attended the guest lecture and shared their valuable feedback on the relevance of the topic.
Proprium Series on International Opportunities for Pursuing Higher Education and Career in Psychology
Date: 09 January 2023
The Department of Psychology, Kristu Jayanti College, organized an interaction with resource person Mr. Sahen Gupta in association with the Office of International and Domestic Relations on January 9th, 2023. Mr. Sahen Gupta is a lecturer in applied sports and exercise psychology at Portsmouth University, United Kingdom. He was welcomed heartily with a sapling presented to him by Dr. Molly Joy, Head, Department of Psychology, Kristu Jayanti College. Mr. Sahen Gupta began the session by engaging the students with his experience as a student, academician, practitioner, and researcher in the field of psychology and tied it into the various opportunities that students have as they look towards building a footing in the same. He shared insight into the scope of Psychology and the multiple domains accessible to students both in India and abroad, specifically in the UK. He elucidated the same by drawing on personal experiences and those of his peers to provide a deeper understanding of how the skills acquired in every individual domain can further provide the scope of work in other realms of work. He even shared how a student in India can apply for master's courses and research opportunities in the UK. The students were brimming with questions at the end of his enriching talk and felt a lot of insight and new perspectives coming their way. The primary takeaway from the session was regarding the vast scope that Psychology as a field offers to budding professionals and how tapping into one's potential, abilities, and interests, every individual can contribute to the area in their unique way and build a successful career for themselves. Mr. Sahen took the time to address the various curiosities of the students, and the session concluded with a vote of thanks expressing the department's gratitude to him for his valuable wisdom and time.
Research Internship Orientation
Date: 16 November 2022
The Department of Psychology (PG) organized a seminar on ‘Research internship orientation’ as part of the proprium series for IIIrd semester MSc Psychology, MSc Clinical & MSc Counselling Psychology students on 16 November 2022 from 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM at M1 auditorium. Dr. Binoy V.V, Scientist at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS, Bangalore) was the resource person.Fr. Emmanuel PJ, Director Kristu Jayanti College of Law, Dr. Molly Joy HOD, Dept. of Psychology & Mr. Vigraanth Bapu K.G, P.G Program coordinator, Dept. of Psychology grazed the occasion.
Dr.Binoy, whose area of research is science communication & education said that it is his responsibility to spend time with the next generation. He said he is repaying his debt to VS Ramamurthi, his mentor. The various aspects of internship from the angle of a principal investigator and from a student’s angle were covered in the seminar. He explained what is expected from an intern by a Principal investigator, the benefits and needs of a student to do an internship, and the issues a student might face while doing an internship. How to use the internship as an opportunity to understand the research and academic ecosystem in the Indian context were the topics covered in the seminar. He also introduced the line of work he does at NIAS as a scientist having expertise in Animal cognition (fish behavior), science communication & education.
Dr. Binoy enlightened the students that the primary aim of the internship is for the students to find a niche in the society. It will give an understanding of what is happening in the research or clinical environment. Students will be familiar with the way research is generated in the internship. He pointed out the various benefits of internship like the opportunity to learn the process of research & developing tools.
Dr. Binoy who usually takes 7 interns in his lab at NIAS from various prestigious institutions across India shared the process of applying for internship with the students. He reminded the students to always check the website of the institution to see whether the work done at the institution aligns with their area of interest. He suggested the students when writing email to the principal investigators/ faculties of the institution for internship, one should always write the mail stating their interest in working in that particular field to improve their chances of getting selected as an intern. Dr. Binoy also explained the possibilities of how the intern will be guided and monitored in their work at NIAS/ any institution which specializes in research in general. He told the students that the intern would be either directly under the principal investigator and attached to a Ph.D. or post doc. Student. The line of work done by the interns from data collection to placed in a group that works on a project were they can make their contributions to the ongoing project were discussed.
By quoting the phrase “ A known devil is always better than an unknown devil” Dr. Binoy emphasized the importance of getting references from the principal investigator(PI) under whose guidance the intern worked with would broaden their opportunities in the field of academia like getting in a good university to pursue their Ph.D. or getting the opportunity to work in good laboratories across the world.
Dr. Binoy explained the work he does at NIAS, the brain child of JRD Tata. He explained the vision JRD Tata had about the researchers not setting up their own labs at NIAS but instead they should come up with tools and techniques for connecting science with society. Dr. Binoy being a pioneer in the field of fish behavior in animal cognition especially with his work on Mission Mahseer, explained how he is researching on coming up with a life skill training protocol for hatcheries rearing Mahseer as they can’t adapt to live in their natural habitat once released from the hatcheries. His work on Mission Mahseer focuses on finding out the behavioral adaptation, personality traits and how the Mahseer relearn the things once they are out of the natural habitat, i.e., interacting with Carps and Tilapia who are very aggressive to Mahseers.
Dr. Binoy also told the budding Psychologists that in recent times psychological terms are more used in Biology and now Psychologists do have an opportunity in the field of Biology when it comes to understanding the psychological aspects of the behavior of animals.
He also touched up on the project of communicating science in the classroom, which focuses on cognitive aspects of learning science in classroom i.e., visualization. The work focuses on how children develop images in science that don’t have any connection with reality. The aspect of mental models and how children add information to the mental models and development of tools are covered in the area.
He also explained to the students the other lines of work being researched in NIAS like citizen science and Artificial intelligence integrated technologies.
Expert Lecture Series on Mood Disorders
Date: 15 November 2022
Department of Psychology (PG) of Kristu Jayanti College organized an expert lecture on the topic “Mood Disorder” for third semester MSc Psychology, MSc Clinical Psychology & MSc Counselling Psychology students on 15 November 2022 from 1:30 PM to 4: 30 PM at M3 Auditorium.
Dr. Elizabeth Daniel, Consultant, Clinical Psychologist was the resource person. The Interactive session covered the topics of Major depressive disorder, Bipolar I & II, Bipolar related disorders, and cyclothymia.
The casual factors of depression which included the brain areas, genetic factors, and environmental factors were discussed in detail. The vicious cycle of depression containing four different factors which include: Negative stressful events/experiences, negative self-explanatory style, having a depressed mood/ state, and cognitive and behavior changes was discussed by Dr. Daniel in the session.
Dr. Daniel discussed about Bipolar I & Bipolar II disorders and how to differentiate between the two. She shared a case study about a client who is doing well despite her Bipolar I diagnosis. She also stressed the importance of ruling out whether the manic symptoms seen in patients are a result of general medical health conditions and gave a gist about cyclothymia. The resource person also spoke about Premenstrual dysphoric disorder by sharing a case she encountered during her clinical practice and how to differentiate it from PMS. Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder was also discussed in detail.
Dr. Daniel spoke about suicide and stressed the importance of suicide prevention. She divided the students into groups to come across ways to prevent suicide. She also shared anecdotes of losing clients due to suicide and the warning signs that one should always look out for in people who have suicidal ideation. The risk factors of a person being prone to suicide was also discussed in the session which includes whether the person had attempted suicide before, if they are living alone or separated, whether they are retired or unemployed, suffering from chronic illness and so on. The warning signs of suicide which includes talking about death, disappearing, writing letters, saying last good byes, getting rid of personal belonging, emptying bank accounts etc. were discussed.
Dr. Daniel also gave the students a group activity in which they had to come up with suicide prevention strategies.
The treatment options for mood disorders which includes the medications – Anti depressants, mood stabilizers and therapy options like CBT, DBT, Interpersonal therapies and emotion focused therapies, ECT & TMS were discussed. Two case studies were given by Dr. Daniel to the students as a group activity which was to implement CBT on a client who is suffering from depression after a break up. Another task was to come up with strategies to implement CBT on a client who tried to commit suicide after failing in NEET entrance exam. Dr. Elizabeth Daniel addressed the students on how to implement Socratic questioning in CBT. She also explained about the rule of thumb which emphasizes the importance of choosing a solution for the problem which provides maximum benefit to the client and no harm to others.
The resource person also covered seasonal affective disorder by sharing a case she has seen and also the usage of light therapy as a treatment for seasonal affective disorder. The session ended with a question answer session.
Industrial / Field Visit to Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML)
Date: 15 October 2022
Dr. Radhakrishnan Bhatt and Ms.Lajwanti M Jethwani, Faculty, Department of Psychology, Kristu Jayanti College, accompanied the students of MSc Psychology III Semester on an Industrial Visit to Bharat Earth Movers Limited in KGF complex on the 15th of October, 2022. The group left the college campus at 8:20 in the morning and arrived at the destination at 10:40 a.m. They were first guided to the Training Centre where they had tea and biscuits. They then settled into one of the classes for an orientation about BEML and its functions.
The first session was taken by Mr. Giri, a leading member of the technical team. He gave a short introduction to BEML and the role Ministry of Defence played in its creation. Created in 1964, BEML was originally intended to serve as an offshoot of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. However, they soon evolved into an independent body responsible for the creation of not just rail coaches but also the creation of bulldozers, and other mining and defence equipment. He then introduced the three business verticals of BEML namely, Rail and Metro, Mining and Construction (which is specific to BEML KGF) and Defence and Aerospace. His entire introduction centered on the numerous departments and divisions of BEML.
After this introduction, the General Manager of Human Resources, Abenezer Samir Khess addressed the class. His talk was particularly enlightening, as few of the students attended are pursuing a specialization in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, wherein the study of Human Resources is of importance. He commenced by listing the categories of employees and the number of full time employees (5,200) and executives (1,600). After he introduced the framework and structure of the organization, he broke down the various functions and purposes fulfilled by the Human Resources department. This was largely in the context of organization and complex industry and sector (public) BEML falls under.
At the Centre of all functions, he stated, was communication. BEML KGF was established in 1968, and he believed that it was only able to grow as much as it has today with the efficient communication the employees and departments try to maintain. He spoke of the production bodies and labour unions who all ensure regulated functioning and policy-making. He then introduced the range of benefits the employees received. From a Welfare Fund to celebrations of national holidays and a Township with an Officer’s Club, employees received non-monetary benefits. Along with this they were engaged in non-professional and professional activities which they could use to upskill and relax too. Families were given the benefits of education and medical infrastructure as well.
After he concluded, the faculty of Kristu Jayanti College Autonomous expressed their gratitude for this opportunity by presenting them with a memento. Dr. Radhakrishnan Bhatt gave a word of thanks as well.
This was followed by a brief Question and Answer session where the students asked questions regarding the performance appraisal system, grievance redressal and recruitment policies. There was a question regarding mental health services as well. The questions were all answered with details to make it beneficial for the students academically as well. The challenges of ideal interventions and the actual ability to implement them were discussed as well.
The group then proceeded to get lunch before the Plant Visit which was the highlight of the journey for all the students. The students were taken through each unit and given a detailed insight on the purpose of the machinery and activities taking place. While most of the workers had broken for lunch as well, the students were still able to witness the functioning of the factory at some capacity. They saw the hulls and coaches, the machine shop where fabrication takes place and even got to look at heat treatment in the furnace. The guides efficiently explained the classification systems they had in place for the products they manufactured. They got the chance to witness testing of mining excavators and were allowed to look closely at some of the defence repair vehicles.
The trip was wrapped with a short tea break and a round of the entire property. A quick stop at Bharat Gold Mines Limited (BGML) was made as well for a memorable photo following which the group returned to Bangalore by 7 p.m.
There were exclaims of delight throughout as each process was experienced and shown in detail. The heat did not deter the students from actively walking all around the plant to understand all the technical procedures. It was safe to say that the entire journey and experience was an enjoyable and enriching one.
Industrial / Field Visit to All India Institute of Speech and Hearing
Date: 28 September 2022
The PG students of Psychology Department visited the All India Institute of Speech and Hearing (AIISH), Mysore on 28th September 2022.
The enthusiastic students and the Department faculties gathered together at 6 am and proceeded to travel to Mysore. Jayantians were thrilled and cheerful throughout the journey, cherishing the beauty of Mysore.
The team reached the institution by 11 am, following which sessions were held at the institution. Ms. Vijayalakshmi, the coordinator of Monthly Public Lecture Series at AIISH oriented the Jayantians on various departments and the activities at AIISH. The audiologist, Dr. Aashish and the speech and language pathologist, Dr. Thirumanjiri spoke on Communication Disorders, and Speech and Hearing Problems respectively. Dr. Yashodhara Kumar, the clinical psychologist briefed the Jayantians on the activities and functioning of the Psychology Department at AIISH.
The sessions concluded with the active participation and interaction between the speakers and Jayantians as they addressed their queries and concerns. This was followed by a scrumptious lunch, a visit to the Therapy Park for adults and children, and the visit to Psychology and Special Education Departments. The team set off for Bangalore at 4 pm, cheerful and grateful.
Guest Lecture on Research Technique to Study The Brain and Neuroplasticity
Date: 29 September 2022
The Department of Psychology organized Proprium Series- Guest Lecture by Dr. Yogesh Kanna Sathyamoorthy, Assistant Professor of Neurosciences CHRIST (Deemed to be University) Bangalore on the topic “Research Technique to Study The Brain and Neuroplasticity” on 29th September 2022. We received immense knowledge from Dr. Kanna on different aspects of neuroplasticity and techniques such as Histological, Imaging, Biochemical and Electrophysical being research techniques in neuroplasticity.
His lecture made the concepts taught in the classroom much clearer and finer as they gave apt analogies and examples. One of such examples was understanding synapses. Synapse is the entire area from terminal button, synaptic cleft to the dendrites. He compared this to the classroom setting that shows both the divisions of the classes along with the space in between where we can walk is the synapse.
Strengthening our understanding of the non-invasive diagnostic techniques such as X-ray, CT, MRI, fMRI and PET enhanced our knowledge. We were informed on how CT scan is the combination of multiple slices of X-ray (explaining us with the analogy of bread slices), Magnetic Resonance Imaging being a technique where heavy magnets are being used in order to align the protons in the field and providing a 3-D image whereas functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging being used for identifying the exact brain area responsible for the specific functioning as deoxygenated blood and hemoglobin plays a crucial role in this imaging technique. Positron Emission Tomography uses radioactive drugs to detect the emission of photos hence providing scans of the tissues and the organ.
We also added new information in the bank of our knowledge such as Histology meaning the study of tissues, different navigation techniques being used in few different cultures such as a tribe using Egocentric navigation where they tell the route based on their bodily allocentric position. Microtomy was also explained and the process of hardening the tissue, changing the state from hydrophilic to hydrophobic by adding alcohol and chloroform.
To conclude, it is our immense pleasure to have attended and the lecture and increase our knowledge about the brain and neuroplasticity in the Proprium Series-Guest lecture. We await more guest lectures in the future. We hereby thank Dr. Molly Joy, Head of Department (Psychology), Dr. Vigraanth Bapu, PG Coordinator of Psychology and Dr. Shruthi Shrivastan, UG Coordinator of Psychology and all other staff members for such a wondrous experience.
Documentary Screening on “Monster In The Mind”
Department of Psychology in association with the Psychology Club organized a Documentary screening titled “MONSTER IN THE MIND” on 21st September 2022 at Conference Hall P1 & P2 PG Block First floor from 1:40 pm to 3:30 pm to commemorate World Alzheimer’s Day.
To commemorate World Alzheimer’s Day, the Department of Psychology in Association with Psychology Club organized a documentary screening titled “MONSTER IN THE MIND” on 21st September 2022. The documentary screening was held at PG Block Conference hall P1 and P2 from 1:40 pm to 3:30 pm simultaneously. The screening commenced with a welcome address by Ms. Ngawang Saldon, student coordinator of the Psychology Club from III year JPEng A in P1. Ms. Kritika Gurung from III year JPEng A gave the welcome address in the P2 hall. They highlighted the need for remembering World Alzheimer’s Day and its significance. They also spoke about the documentary titled ‘Monsters in the mind’. All the I year Psychology UG students were in the audience dressed in purple coloured formal attire. Ms. Naw Carolina Ashu, Assistant Prof. Dept. of Psychology and Teacher Co-ordinator of Psychology Club also addressed the gathering.
Dr. Molly Joy, Head, Dept. of Psychology, and Dr. Sruthi Sivaraman, UG Co-ordinator graced the occasion with their presence in conference hall P2. The teachers who were present for the discipline committee included Ms. Sheba Suchitra and Ms. Noor Fathima. The Photography team for the event included Mr. Abhilash Mathews, Ms. Fiona Gloria Vaz, and Ms. Sruthilaz Zehara belonging to III year JPEng A.
The documentary was screened for a duration of 58 minutes, during which the students were asked to take notes to write a brief individual report. The session concluded with a vote of thanks given by both the Master of Ceremony in P1 and P2 respectively. The students were also asked to fill out feedback forms and attach their individual reports on the documentary.
A total number of 199 students were present for the screening. A few of their feedbacks are as follow: “The documentary, on Alzheimer’s disease, was quite enlightening. I got to learn a lot of things that I was unaware of. Sadly, this condition can’t be cured but now we know how to prevent it or treat it if there are chances of getting this disease. Thank you for the session.” “The documentary was very educating and made me see how Alzheimer’s was viewed by the world. The documentary taught me so much about Alzheimer’s and made me see it in a completely new light. It was informative to a very good amount and was very interesting to learn something new. I believe that this event gave me and every other student a big opportunity to learn about something which we have heard about but have never done an in-depth study about.”
Alumni Interaction Series: Expert Lecture
The Department of Psychology organized a Virtual Alumni Interaction on 24 September 2022 from 9:30 am to 10:30 am through Zoom platform. The resource person, Ms. Sandra Santhosh (2015-2017 M.Sc Psychology Batch), Senior Technical Recruiter at Dicetek LLC, Dubai delivered an Expert Lecture on the topic ‘Exploring Opportunities in Industrial Psychology’.
The major points covered by Ms. Sandra were scope of Industrial Psychology in India and the GCC countries today, prominent HR functions (such as recruitment and selection, organizational change and development, performance appraisal, training and development), role of Industrial/Organizational Psychologists in the workplace, job opportunities for Psychology background students specialized in HR, skillset and certification required to succeed in the field, and the expectations and reality of working in the field. She also mentioned that the need and demand for Psychology students in the workplace is as equal as any management student, and that discrimination does not take place based on gender or ethnicity, and that it depends on each individual’s knowledge, skills and attitudes. The talk was followed by Question and Answer session which was very fruitful and insightful for the participants.
400 participants, belonging to 5th Semester BA JPEng, JPCs and PAPEng, and 3rd Semester M.Sc Psychology, Counselling Psychology, and Clinical Psychology attended the event which was informative and assuring to the students specializing in the area. As the session was interactive and the participants could ask their doubts and get it clarified, it was interesting and led to new learning.
Propium Series Workshop on Group Counselling: Process & Skills
The Department of Psychology conducted a Propium Series Workshop on Group Counselling: Process & Skills for III Semester PG Counselling Psychology Students on 10th September 2022 at Auditorium A1, Admin Block from 9 am – 4:30 pm. 49 students were the beneficiaries of the resourceful sessions conducted by Fr. Tomy Joseph, Assistant Professor & Group Therapy Coordinator of Sampuran Montfort College, Bangalore and Dr. Arun S, Assistant Professor & Program Coordinator, Sampuran Montfort College, Bangalore.
The sessions were divided into activity-based learning and discussions pertaining to Group Discussions. After an activity on trust building called "Human Knot," the audience were asked to fill a small questionnaire about groups and were sensitized on theoretical ideas on Group Counselling, the history of Group Counselling, the different types of Groups and stages of Group Counselling.
The afternoon session continued with a short discussion on the various kinds of Groups and various activities for the students that helped them understand the importance of communication among a group. The first activity stressed on the non-verbal communication among people and how a simple finger tapping could communicate innumerable forms of conversation. The next activity required the formation of two circles where each individual shifted places to hold the other person's palm. A short discussion on Group Counselling followed. Another activity was introduced towards building trust which included everyone sitting in a specific position on chairs and falling on one another. Despite initial chaos and reluctance, everyone proceeded with the activity. At the end of that activity, everyone spoke about how they were hesitant but gave way to trusting their partner.
Noticing the bond among the students, the facilitators continued with an activity that built stronger trust among the students. After a very hearty discussion, the workshop ended on a positive note, with the facilitators thanking the audience and providing all with a certificate for the session.
World Suicide Prevention Day - Creating Hope Through Action
The Department of Psychology, Kristu Jayanti College (Autonomous), observed World Suicide Prevention Day on 10th September 2022 with the theme of “Creating Hope through Action”. The event started with vibrant music grabbing the attention of the Jayantians. The audience were welcomed with a reminder of the precious gift of life. The purpose of life is to be grateful and happy, and happiness is not by chance but by choice. They were encouraged to plant seeds of happiness, hope, success and love; and to make and cherish the little moments of life and make the world a better place. The Jayantians were reminded of the importance of holding on together to create hope through action.
This was followed by an enthusiastic thematic dance by the PG students of the Psychology Department. Split into groups, they danced to songs of life and hope. The flash mob concluded with flash cards reading “CREATING HOPE THROUGH ACTION”. Following this, Rev.Fr. Dr Augustine George, Principal Kristu Jayanti College addressed the gathering. He encouraged them to repeat the theme of the day which was “CREATING HOPE THROUGH ACTION”. The event concluded with the crowd applauding and encouraging one another to be the light and hope in the world.
Value Added Course on “PROJECT REPORT WRITING”
The Department of Psychology organized a Value Added Course on “PROJECT REPORT WRITING” for V semester BA JPEng students. It was a half a day program held from 3rd August to 12th August 2022 at Kristu Jayanti College, Bangalore. A total of 110 students attended the course. The purpose of the course was to equip the undergraduate JPEng students with a sound foundation on basic research skills and project writing skills as they embark on a scientific pursuit with their minor research project this semester.
The resource persons for the VAC were professors from the Dept. of psychology, Kristu Jayanti College. Considering the students were to apply the learning from the course in carrying out a minor project in their chosen area of study; the syllabus for the VAC was curated by the professors in the department to be simple yet an extensive introduction to research skills.
The main topics covered during the VAC were meaning and objectives of research; Ethics; Types of research; Research approaches; Variables in research; Research problem; Hypotheses; Research Design; Sampling techniques; Data collection techniques; Review of literature; Statistical analysis; Tools for analysis; Report writing; Reference managers and Language and Publication of the report.
The students were required to submit a research proposal on any area of their interest on the last day of the VAC as a part of their assessment. The course concluded with valuable feedback from the beneficiaries. This VAC was indeed a space where a lot of learning occurred in such a short span.
Value-Added Course on “Assertiveness Training”
The Department of Psychology organised a Value-Added Course on “Assertiveness Training” for III semester BA (BA Hons /PYJO/ PYEN) students from 03-08-2022 to 11-08-2022.
The main motto of the course was to enlighten the students about the different styles of assertiveness, different behavioural styles and importance of practicing assertiveness techniques. The resource person for the sessions were the faculty members of the Department of Psychology who created a comfortable ambience for students to carry on the activities like role plays, poster making, group discussions. The sessions were interactive and ended with a video assignment prepared by each student on assertiveness training. About 130 students benefitted from the course and found the course to be extremely beneficial.
Proprium Series - Case History and Diagnosis
The Department of Psychology at Kristu Jayanti College organized a workshop on case history and diagnosis on 16th June 2022. The resource person for the session was Dr. Avinash De Sousa, MD Psych, Med Consultant, Psychiatrist, Slon Hospital, Mumbai.
The resource person began the sessions with the various point to be considered while taking a case history. An emphasis was laid on approaching every case with a dynamic perspective and being more open in terms of exploring the case history.
The resource person emphasized analyzing the causes for the symptoms and then moving on to the treatment.
Various cases were discussed and the students were asked to come up with possible causes and diagnoses.
In the second half of the workshop he talked about various precautions to be taken while interacting with a client while providing therapy, challenges faced while experiencing transference and counter-transference, etc.
he sessions helped the students to understand the need to learn to be more prudent while asking the questions and to formulate the right questions that would help in understanding the client better.
The workshop ended with a question-and-answer session. It was indeed a fruitful and enlightening session for all the participants.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2021 observance An Open Forum Discussion on “WorkAble 2021: Psychosocial Disabilities in Workspaces”
The Department of Psychology in Association with SWARI Foundation observed International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2021 by organizing an Open Forum Discussion on “WorkAble 2021: Psychosocial Disabilities in Workspaces”. The programme was organized on 4th December 2021 at 10.00 am in Mini Audi 4. The programme started with a formal inaugural function that began with the welcome address by Ms Sreepriya Menon, Head of HR, SWARI foundation. In his inaugural address, Rev. Dr Augustine George emphasized the need for creating an inclusive environment for all. In her Keynote address Dr Aarti Jagannathan, Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services, NIMHANS emphasized the need for a deeper understanding and awareness of psychosocial disabilities in the workplace. Later Mr Ajit Babu, head of partnerships, SWARI Foundation thanked everyone for their contributions and constant support in organizing the open forum discussion.
The open forum discussion began with the session by Capt. Mannivannan IAS, IAS, Secretary, Dept of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, Govt of Karnataka in which he discussed the importance of uplifting the lives of people with disabilities. Later in her session, Dr Aarti Jaganathan, Associate professor, Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services, NIMHANS, Bangalore highlighted the importance of psychosocial intervention which can help individuals with disabilities. She also discussed various projects that help them to enhance their quality of life. Mr Swakshadip Sarkar, Co-founder and Secretary of Kontho, West Bengal spoke on the activities of their NGO that works for People with Disabilities and oriented the students about how they can contribute to help them. Followed by his session Ms Swathi K.S, Proprietor, Shri Vasavi Condiments, Inclusive Employer, Bangalore, shared her experience as an inclusive employer. Two speakers who joined online Mr Ashwini Survase, Project Manager, Tarasha, Field Action Project, TISS, Mumbai and Mr Asarul-Haque-Jeelani, Research scholar, JNU, Delhi shared their experiences working in the field of rights of people with disabilities.
The sessions ended with the highlights on the activities of the SWARI foundation that provides equal opportunities for people with disabilities by Ms Sreepriya Menon, Head of HR, SWARI Foundation.
Seminar on Orientation Oon IIC and KJIC
The Kristu Jayanti Incubation Center organized an orientation on the IIC and KJIC for the students of 1St Year M.Sc. Psychology, M.Sc.Clinical Psychology and M.Sc. Counselling Psychology on 23rd October 2021 from 9:30 am-11:30 am. A total of 170 students participated in the Programme. The session began with the welcome address by Ms Martina Siby, the Final year PG coordinator followed by the session by Dr A. Muruganantham who gave the orientation for the students about the importance of Kristu Jayanti Incubation Centre and IIC cell and its various activities and programs for the academic year. Later, the session was continued by Dr Kiran Babu N C who motivated the students by showing an innovation video and encouraging them to focus on entrepreneurship and startups for psychology fields. During the session, the students were oriented about how to create an ecosystem for start-ups, and various aspects of entrepreneurship. The students were also provided with information regarding the basic infrastructure necessary to start a business and support system for mentoring, guidance and management training. They were also made aware of small business details by the funding agencies and the wider business environment. The speaker also explained about Four Cell Working under KJIC and Building and Streamlining Innovation and Start-up Ecosystem in Higher Educational Institutions, Network of Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC), IIC Institute Types, and KJIC program Category Details. Finally, the KJC IIC Annual Program Details were shared, Role of IIC council Members, IIC council Student Members Benefits & Rewards, Achievements were also shown. Later, in the question-and-answer forum, the speaker went through the questions of participants and clarified all the doubts effectively by giving more examples and making the session more interesting. It was an extremely beneficial session for the students.
World Mental Health Day 2021
The Department of Psychology celebrated the month of October as Mental Health Month in light of World Mental Health Day observed on October 10th across the globe. Various events were organized to engage the Psychology students, both Undergraduate and Postgraduate, to raise awareness on mental health issues and mobilize efforts in support of better Mental Health. Throughout October 2021, the PG students displayed posters on mental health on the College notice board. A Caption Writing Competition on 23th October 2021 and Poster Making Competition on 25th October 2021 on the theme ‘Mental Health in an Unequal World’, were organized by the Psychology Club for BA Psychology students. The students enthusiastically joined in writing captions on the significance of mental health and displayed the posters on the college campus. A Theatre performance titled-‘When the Cradle Rocks’ directed by Dr Deepthi Vijayan, Faculty, Department of Psychology, was performed on 25th October 2021 at 3 pm in the SKE Auditorium, PG Block, to create awareness about Postpartum Depression. The drama was performed by the III Semester M.Sc. Psychology and M.Sc. Counselling Psychology students. Rev. Dr Augustine George, Principal, Kristu Jayanti College, inaugurated the function and appreciated the students for their contribution and participation in the month-long events organized by the Department. The winners of the competitions were also awarded during the inaugural function by Rev. Dr Augustine George, Principal, Kristu Jayanti College and Rev. Fr. Emmanuel P J, Director, Kristu Jayanti College of Law, and Faculty, Department of Psychology.
Value Added Course on Essence of Humanities
The Value Added Course was conducted for first year BA students to provide insights about an array of subjects in Humanities. The Department of Psychology took sessions on Positive Psychology, where a multitude of positive constructs were introduced to the participants. The topics related to well-being were the centre of the sessions. The Department of English was involved in delivering content related to academic and professional writing skills. Further, the essence of citizenship and gender studies were focused on by the Department of Political Science, History, Sociology, and Media Studies. All the sessions were successfully conducted by the teachers and received positive feedback from the students.
Value Added Course on ‘Self Care in Psychologists’
The Value Added Course (VAC) on ‘Self Care in Psychologists’ was conducted from 24 September 2021 – 1 October 2021. For the students of 1st year M.Sc. Psychology, M.Sc. Counselling Psychology and M.Sc. Clinical Psychology, making a total of 160 students.
The Course aimed at equipping the students to develop the knowledge and skill necessary to manage and care for themselves, as a trainee psychologist and later in professional life. The VAC covered various aspects of Self Awareness, Mindfulness, Building Social Support and Building Positivity. The sessions included lectures, discussions and activities, with a higher emphasis on activities to help the students acquire the skill necessary for self-care. Activity oriented classes helped the students to gain practical insight and hands-on training on different important areas of self-care that are necessary, as one enters a professional career as a Psychologist.
Proprium Series: Workshop on Rorschach Inkblot Test
The Department of Psychology organized a workshop on the Rorschach Inkblot Test on 29 September 2021, Wednesday, at Auditorium II from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. Dr. Rema M.K, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Kristu Jayanti College (Autonomous) was the resource person for the session. She started the session with an introduction to Rorschach Inkblot Test and explained the administration, scoring, interpretation, and application of the test. A total of 55 students from IIIrd semester M.Sc Counselling Psychology participated in the programme.
Proprium Series: Observing World Alzheimer's Day
The Department of Psychology organized proprium series in the light of observing World Alzheimer's Day on 21 September 2021. The program aimed at raising awareness about the disease, common symptoms, and risk factors. Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative brain disorder that gradually deteriorates the cognitive abilities of individuals. The oddities of the disorder were exhibited on posters by the final year M.Sc. Psychology students. The webinar on "Awareness on Alzheimer's Disease", which was chaired by Dr. Vijaykumar Harbishettar, a Consultant Psychiatrist, Padmashree Diagnostics Vijayanagara, Bengaluru and a Medical Advisor, Health Heal Home Healthcare Services,Vaatsalya Residential Care, Bengaluru. In his session, Dr. Harbishettar provided timely insights and explained the medical perspectives of the disorder. The session witnessed active participation from the final year MSc Psychology, M.Sc. Counselling Psychology, and BA students.
World Suicide Prevention Day is an awareness day observed
World Suicide Prevention Day is an awareness day observed on 10 September every year, to provide worldwide commitment and action to prevent suicides, with various activities around the world. The Department of Psychology observed Suicide Prevention day on 13th September 2021 from 8.20 am to 5.00 pm. As part of the observation, all the PG students wore the badges showing the theme as “life is precious have a positive attitude” and the badges carrying positive message towards life were distributed to all the faculty, administrative staff and students on the campus.
Workshop on Research Proposal Presentation
The department of psychology organized a workshop on Proposal Presentation on 09/09/2021. The students of M.Sc. counselling psychology 3rd Semester were given a template and were required to prepare a research proposal and present it to a panel of teachers. The students of M.Sc. Psychology and M.Sc. Counselling Psychology were divided across five panels. Each presentation was followed by a time of discussion, feedback and input by the teachers and the students. The students were encouraged to ask questions and contribute to various research concepts. The key discussions were on the ways and means to find the research gap and to improvise on the methodology. Insights were also given on the kinds of statistical tools that can be utilized for better and in-depth analysis of results.
A total of 113 students participated in the workshop. The presentations, discussions and inputs given by teachers and students led to a collaborative learning experience and was extremely thought-provoking and insightful.
Workshop on Experimental Psychology
The Department of Psychology organized a Workshop on Experimental Psychology on 1st September 2021 at the Main Auditorium from 9:45 am to 11:45 am. Ninety BA Psychology Vth Semester students attended the workshop.
The session began with a general orientation to the students by Rev. Fr. Emmanuel P J, Director, Kristu Jayanti School of Law and Faculty, Department of Psychology. He reminded the students about the etiquette to be followed when in the lab and the classroom to ensure adherence to the safety guidelines for COVID 19 Pandemic and welcomed the students to the first offline session of the academic year.
In her session Dr Molly Joy, Professor and Head, Department of Psychology, provided an insight into the discipline of Experimental Psychology and briefed them about the history, the ethical guidelines to be followed and introduced them to different variables.
Later, Ms Vimala M, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, oriented the students about Psychology practical’s and the expectations and the code of conduct to be followed inside the lab. The expectations and points to be kept in mind were clearly stated for the students. The participants found the sessions to be informative, well organized and relevant for their course.
Value Added Course on Employability Skills for Psychologists
The New Education Policy has brought out the right emphasis on the need for developing employability skills among students and to prepare them with apt resources and skills. A 30 hours value-added course on ‘Employability skills for psychologists’ was conducted for the students of III Semester M.Sc. Psychology and M.Sc. Counselling Psychology from 9th August 2021 – 19th August 2021. The sessions emphasized various aspects like effective communication at the workplace, the practice of virtues, having a good self-awareness of one’s strengths and weaknesses and ways to efficiently utilize the available resources and opportunities. The students were also trained in necessary skills that will be useful in building an impressive profile and attending job interviews. The course ended with a mock interview session and the students were evaluated based on their performance during the interview session. Overall the sessions were extremely beneficial for the students as they learnt various skills and ways to apply them in the workplace. The final exam (Mock interview) gave them exposure to various questions and aspects that they need to consider in a job interview. The feedback received from teachers was also extremely beneficial for the students.
Value Added Course on Skills in Research Reporting
Assimilating the fundamentals of research writing is a necessary skill considering the present scenario. The value-added course on “Skills in Research Reporting”, aimed at inculcating the research habits in Undergraduate students. The course started with a vision of scaffolding the minor project and thereby maintaining the quality of output. More than 160 students benefitted from the course and enjoyed the nuances of research writing. The teachers took tremendous effort in maintaining the “practical” nature of the course. The hands-on experience was delivered in building the research problem, reviewing the literature and data analysis. The assignments initiated critical thinking rather than emphasizing rote memory. The course ended with an open book exam, where the students were asked to come up with a research proposal from the existing sources. To conclude, amidst the regular courses, the students were taken through the rigours of research which turned out to be a fruitful and meaningful experience.
Once upon a time.. “Friction reveals truths that reality obscures.’
In a society where people associate stigma around mental health, frictional stories can bring is awareness and understanding of mental health to larger audience. 17th to 19th of August, 2021, Psychology Club along with Department of Psychology had a book review series, ‘Once upon a time’.
Undergraduate students of IIIrd and Vth Semester volunteered to be part of the series. The three books which were discussed were Em and the Big Hoom by Jerry Pinto, Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom and Life is What You Make it by Preeti Shenoy. The resource persons for the book review were Prof. Sharmili Chatterjee, Prof. Anitha Mary Mathew, and Dr. Sruthi Sivaraman, from the Department of Psychology.
These books were carefully chosen, as these books reflected the world from the eyes of mental health and mental health care. Students interacted and shared personal observations and reflections during the discussion. Students further highlighted that while addressing mental health concerns, writers can be more informative as well as sensitive. Good writers often equip themselves with the right amount of information, which is often reflected in the stories they bring to the world.
International Adolescent Health Week Adolescent Resilience during the Pandemic
The International Adolescent Health Week global event with the theme ‘Adolescent Resilience during Pandemic’ was conducted by the Department of Psychology, Kristu Jayanti College autonomous Bengaluru on the 24th of March 2021.
The event began with the inaugural session at 9:30 am. The chief guest for the event was Dr. Nityananda S Kuntasetty , Chairperson BAHA(Bangalore Adolescent Health Association) and Senior Consultant at ESI Hospital Bangalore.
In his Inaugural address, Dr. Nityananda introduced to the realities of paediatrics, adolescent health care in India and the intricacies in handling or caring for an adolescent. In his presidential address Rev. Dr. Augustine George, Principal-Kristu Jayanti College emphasised the need to help adolescents to have holistic growth by taking efforts to improve on the emotional, psychosocial and spiritual wellbeing and the need to practice yoga and different forms of meditation. Further during the session Rev. Dr. Augustine George felicitated Mr. Alen Saji for receiving the title of Grand Master from the Asia Book of World Records and India Book of Records.
Ms. Tanvi Nair 1st Year M.Sc. Psychology student was felicitated by Dr. Molly Joy for being selected as the student ambassador for IAHW.
The event consisted of four keynote sessions. The first keynote session was given by Dr. Laura A.Offutt.MD, FACP Internal Medicine Physician Founder of IAHW addressed the audience through a recorded session where she shared the birth and growth of IAHW since its inception in 2016.
The second keynote session was taken by Dr. Dzung Vo. MD, FAAP, Pediatrician, Adolescent Medicine, British Columbia Children’s Hospital spoke about mindfulness and its significance in maintaining mental well-being of adolescents through a recorded video.
The third session was taken by Dr. Preethi M Galagali, MD, PGDAP, FIAP Consultant Adolescent Health Specialist and Pediatrician addressed the students on the mental well-being of adolescents through a zoom call Dr. Nityananda in the fourth keynote session spoke about life skills, adolescent health and issues, parenting. He addressed many questions about divorce and parenting styles as well.
After the keynote sessions, three competitions were held simultaneously which included Photography(Freeze the Moment) , Poster making (Creare) and JAM (Just-a-minute). The students took part in the events with great enthusiasm. Shabnum Hemayun of 1st year Msc Psychology obtained first place in Poster Making Competition.
Aishwarya of 1st year B.A. of Performing Arts won first place in JAM Speech Competition.
Hevin of 1st year MSc Counselling Psychology obtained first place in Poster Making Competition. After the competitions, the PG students of the department of psychology performed a skit that depicted the lives of four adolescent friends during the lockdown period and how they overcame their problems through resilience. The event ended with the valedictory session and the prize distribution. It was indeed a fruitful and enriching experience for all the participants.
Two Day Workshop on Individual and Group Counselling Skills
The Department of Psychology organized a two-day workshop on individual and group counselling skills on the 17th and 18th of March 2021 from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. The resource person for the session was Dr Romate John, Head of Department of Psychology; Dean of School of Social and Behavioural Sciences; Director of IQAC; Director of International Affairs; Director-in-charge of the Regional Centre of the Central University of Karnataka.
Dr Romate John started the workshop with some energizers. He then asked questions to understand how much the students knew about the meaning of counselling, the difference between counselling; psychotherapy; and guidance and were exposed to the skills; approaches; and models of counselling. On the first day, he explained the Egan model of Counselling elaborately with the help of short demonstrations and role-plays, along with a lot of insights, personal experiences and tips about various nuances that psychological counselling comes with. He also kept conducting energizers, games and short competitions related to the model being taught to keep the session lively. He emphasised the difference between a demand and a request as a counsellor and how a counsellor should always give importance to the client’s right to choose. On the second day, he conducted an elaborate role-play session during the first half of the session, demonstrating all stages and steps in the model taught on the previous day. Other models like the Carkhuff; Ivey and Ivey models and all required micro and macro skills were explained. In the second half, he conducted role plays and demonstrations to explain important skills and the major stages in group counselling. The resource person-outlined about eleven generic stages, right from notification to termination of the group. Overall, the two-day workshop was very informative and insightful for the trainee counsellors.
Orientation on Psychoeducation and Field Work
An orientation session was conducted by Ms Soumya Simon, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Kristu Jayanti College from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm on 15th March 2021.
The session started with a discussion on the various fieldwork setting and their working style. An emphasis was laid on having a deeper understanding of the fieldwork setting and the need and requirements of the clients and the institution. Orientation was given on the process of systematically and structurally informing people about the illness, symptom and treatment and integrating emotional aspects to enable patients to cope with this. To explore the aetiology, the precipitating, predisposing and perpetuating factors. She also explained the various types of models: Information Model, Skill Training Model, Supportive Model, Comprehensive Model.
Ms Soumya Simon also encouraged participants to prepare well for each session and to work towards dispelling stigma, prejudice and misconception with the help of both passive (flyers, posters, and pamphlets) and active psychoeducation (Counselling sessions). The session ended with an explanation of fieldwork report writing.
The participants gained insights on how to prepare for sessions and other work in their fieldwork, how to gain insight, and the skill of report writing.
Workshop on ‘Research Process for Minor project’
The Department of psychology organized a webinar on 9/12/20 on ‘Research Process for Minor project’ for 57 students of M.Sc. Psychology. The resource person for the session was Dr. Molly Joy, Head, Department of Psychology, Kristu Jayanti College. The main focus of the session was on defining a research problem, identifying the sample for the study, selecting the sample, formulating the objectives and research questions, formulating hypothesis, statistical test to measure variable and hypothesis, and also how to interpret the results and write discussion of a project. The students were also given an orientation to report and publication writing.
The students had an enlightening experience and gained insights on various aspects of research writing and publication.
Proprium Series Documentary Screening
Department of Psychology, Kristu Jayanti College organised Proprium Series Documentary Screening on 17th October 2020 in the Zoom Platform from 10.00 am to 12.00 Noon. The documentary screened was “Life before birth – in the womb”
Life before Birth is an award-winning documentary that carefully dissects every milestone in the nine-month gestation of the human foetus. It was premiered in 2005, on the National Geographic Channel. The documentary featured the development of the embryo in the uterus. The film used the most recent technology to provide an intricate glimpse into the prenatal world. The technologies used, which include advanced photography, computer graphics, and a 4-D ultrasound imaging, helped to realistically illustrate the process of the development.
From the formation of the brain’s completely exposed nerve endings after fifteen days in the womb during a phase of development in which the foetus has yet to take any discernibly human form to the manifestation of eyes and limbs at 30 days and the process of labour was visualised in the film.
159 students witnessed the documentary and found it to be informative and relevant for the academics.
Fit India Movement Celebration
Honorable Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi had launched the Fit India Movement on the National Sports Day, 29th August 2019, to encourage physical fitness and well-being among all citizens. On this occasion, students and teachers of the Department of Psychology of Kristu Jayanti College took an initiative to spread awareness about fitness and health through a virtual gathering on 29th August 2020.
The enthusiastic students and faculty members had put hands together to mark the occasion by participating in various activities like a fitness challenge, slogan writing competition, and individual fitness resolutions. These activities were pre-recorded and presented virtually in the Zoom platform. The main highlight was the interaction of three of the alumni members, who excel in the field of sports and fitness, with the students, encouraging and inspiring them to take up everyday fitness goals. Master Lee Jae Ku, taekwondo master and Former Indian National Coach & World Breaking Champion from South Korea, demonstrated simple exercises and movements to restore strength and agility in the body.
Mr. Britto Costa, University champion for taekwondo, black belt Dan 1 champion from Goa with several accolades at National level Taekwondo competitions in Goa and Bangalore. Currently working as the Taekwondo national referee for junior and senior-level, spoke about the importance of exercise, the different stages of exercise, and its importance in one’s wellbeing.
Ms. Linta Tom who has participated in over 10 National competitions in Judo and winner of 2nd and 3rd prize at the National level explained how her sports journey helped her gain strength, confidence, and self-esteem and also improved her communication skills with others. This gave a different perspective on the benefits of sports and fitness in one’s life.
The videos emphasized the importance of a healthy diet and eating habits, sports and physical exercises, yoga and meditation, healthy lifestyle, laughter therapy, and sleep hygiene on one’s fitness and health. The topics were explained by the faculty members of the department. A ‘Best Fit Slogan’ award was also given to a student who wrote the most original and inspiring slogan for fitness. This was announced and appreciated by Dr. Molly Joy, Head, Department of Psychology.
The programme inspired the students to take up fitness resolutions and challenge themselves to inculcate exercises and healthy living habits for their overall physical and mental wellbeing.
International Guest Lecture
The Department of Psychology at Kristu Jayanti College had organized a highly educative International Guest Lecture on 15th February 2020. The session was led by Dr. Philip Laird from Trinity Western University, Canada who is specialized in Jury analysis, Juror decision making, Psychology and law, Psychology and theology, Self-deception (lying), Technology and education, Emotional intelligence, and Moral reasoning.
The session commenced at 10:00 am in Mini Auditorium II and was attended by both the 1st and 2nd-year postgraduate students of psychology. Dr. Laird, during his talk, focused on criminal and legal psychology by introducing the students to several key terminologies and their implications seen from both the perspective of psychology and law. He began his lecture by describing three prominent criminal cases in Canada, during which the defendants had claimed they suffered from a mental disorder. He then went on to explain a few legal terminologies like ‘Actus reus’, ‘Mens rea’, ‘Fitness to stand trial’ and a few others while highlighting the arguments in place like, ‘Not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder’ (NCRMD) and Automatism that come into play with regard to such cases, further elaborating on the topic of Automatism with the fourth and final case of Kenneth Parks. Although in his talk, he primarily focused on Canadian law, the concepts were in one way or another applicable in the context of the Indian legal system as well.
Dr. Laird summed up this highly riveting and informative session by asking the audience’s verdict for each of the cases mentioned in light of both the psychological as well as legal notions that had been explained. The session concluded at 11:00 am and received glowing feedback from the students who gained new insights into the field of legal and criminal psychology which was backed up by fascinating case studies that will definitely prompt them to further explore and dive deeper into this arena.
Department of Psychology - Psychology Exhibition and Career Fair “Manodharshan
Taking strides in Psychology along with Manodarshan 2020
Manodarshan, the much-awaited exhibition of Psychology department was held on 24 January 24, 2020 at main auditorium 1. The exhibition which was a joint venture of UG and PG department of Psychology. It was inaugurated by Rev.Fr. Dr. Augustine George, vice principal Kristu Jayanti College.
Manodarshan which aims at spreading awareness about psychology, in the minds of people through various Psychological assessments, vivid explanation of Psychological theories and concepts through working models and posters received critical acclamation from students and faculty members of various departments as the auditorium was flooded with curious viewers. The prominent factor that distinguished the entire exhibition was the Psychometric assessment Centre headed by the PG students of the department. The assessment Centre hosted a plethora of assessments in the areas of personality, intelligence and emotional balance. The paper pencil tests as well as the tests administered on the computers like the’ life satisfaction scale’, Emotional Stroop effect etc. helped the visitors of the exhibition to have an insight about their personality and emotional stability.
The center of attraction of the exhibition was Thanos, a 3 month old dwarf hamster which was used in giving the visitors a live example of the theory “Classical conditioning”. The experiment which received critical acclamation went on to win a special prize too at the exhibition. Thanos had conquered the minds of people by stimulating the interest in Psychology among the audience
There was a tough competition among the contestants of the working models in the exhibition; as 24 teams competed for the 1st three prizes of the exhibition. The UG students had effectively incorporated the essence of the various Psychological theories they have studied in their exhibits. The working models included in the exhibition to name a few are concept formation in which blocks of various shapes and heights are used to form a specific concept in the mind of a person whom the test is administered to , the amusing memory game which gives tips to memorize various information by connecting it to our daily life, Depth perception apparatus to test our perception and the list goes on…..
The poster competition was very vivid with its topics like stages in prenatal development, depression, various Psychological theories like Maslow’s theory of hierarchy, Mnemonic strategies etc.
The fest marked its end by the valedictory ceremony in which Fr. Emmanuel PJ, faculty department of Psychology presided the meeting along with Dr. Molly Joy, HOD, department of Psychology. The winners of both Working model and poster competition were felicitated.
National Girl child Day- Empowering Girls for a Bigger Tomorrow
When girls are educated, their countries become stronger and more prosperous.” -Michelle Obama
“The world needs strong women. Women who will lift and build others, who will love and be loved. Women who live bravely, both tender and fierce. Women of indomitable will.” -Amy Tenny
National Girl Child Day in India is celebrated on 24 January to raise awareness about the rights of girls and to highlight the inequalities that they face in their lives.
The department of Psychology in association with the Women Empowerment Cell of Kristu Jayanti College Celebrated ‘National Girl child Day’ with the theme Empowering Girls for a Bigger Tomorrow;
The awareness programme focused on the challenges that girls face, it was an attempt to spread awareness among students about the lack of equality, which a girl faces in all spheres. The awareness program was dedicated to every girl who suffered from the challenges of life. At Kristu Jayanti College, Learning is not limited to just classroom, but our college believes in making every student of Kristu Jayanti to become socially responsible, sensitive towards societal needs and overall, becoming a responsible individual.
The program aimed at changing the mindset of people and increasing awareness about the importance and role of the girl in the society. A girl deserves equality among people in the society. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, the architect of the Constitution of India has said, “I measure the progress of a community by the degree of progress which women have achieved.” A country that empowers women empowers every individual! We have to start with protecting the girl child”
And this message was rightly conveyed by our students.
By empowering our daughters we empower their communities which mean empowering the nation! Spread awareness and change mindsets to ensure that communities and families welcome and celebrate daughters.
Student-Scientist Interaction at National Institute of Advanced Studies
On the 14th of January 2020, the students of 1st year M.Sc. Psychology and M.Sc. Counselling Psychology reported to the National Institute of Advanced Studies at 9:00am. The inaugural session began at 9:20 am, after the registration. The first session began at 9:30am in which Prof. Shailesh Nayak spoke about sustainability and climate change. It was enlightening to know about the Earth and that it is an interactive system which involves both the social and human system. He finished his session after which there was an interactive question and answer session. The second session was taken by Dr. V.S. Ramamurthy at 10:20am, he began his session on the topic Science and society by talking about how the 20th century has been the turning point in the history of technology. It was intriguing and a new perspective to the world in general, after which there was a question and answer session which was very informative. The third session began at 11:35am by Dr. Deepthi Navaratna, who spoke about music and cognition. The session was interactive, meaningful and thought-provoking. Some questions like “how do people memorise music?” “how does musical memory work?” helped in having a better understanding of the concept. The next session was addressed by Prof. Sindhu Radhakrishna, who talked about animal psychology and conservation. She began by talking about human and animal behavior by giving the case study example of monkeys. She also showed a video about an experiment conducted on capuchin monkeys. The next session was conducted by Prof. Nithin Nagaraj on the topic consciousness, causality and artificial intelligence. There were a lot of discussions on Neurochaos and artificial intelligence. Later, Dr. Vishwanath Varma in his session on Agent-Based Modelling of social cognition spoke about the various theories and about his current studies in the Lab. It was enlightening as there was a lot of information about behavior of fishes. The final session conducted by Dr. Binoy was about psychology, cognition and science communication. He spoke about how information is stored and also about how science has brought new knowledge to the society. It was indeed a pleasant experience to be in the midst of such great minds. The session was concluded with the question and answer session which was very interactive and there were numerous questions raised and each question was answered well by the speaker. It was indeed a fruitful experience for the students of Kristu Jayanti College.
Workshop on Play Therapy
Department of psychology has organized a workshop on Play therapy on 19th December 2019 in Main Auditorium, the main block from 09:00 am – 04:30 pm. The resource person Dr. Sherin Anthony, Acharaya college, gave a general overview of what is play therapy, play, game, the importance of choosing the toys. The goal is to help children and adults learn to express themselves in healthier ways, become more respectful and empathetic, and discover new and more positive ways to solve problems. This is done by providing the children with a comfortable environment where they can express themselves freely. The various decisions made by the children, their behavior and expression a carefully observed by the therapist.
The workshop helped the students to have first-hand experience of the various process involved in play therapy. It was indeed an enlightening experience.
Workshop on Qualitative Methods And Analysis
The workshop on ‘Qualitative methods and analysis’ was held for 168 postgraduate students of the psychology department on 10th December 2019. The workshop was divided into two sessions where the morning session was addressed by Dr. Sivanna, a professor from ISEC, Bangalore who enlightened the students by sharing his knowledge based on his previous works and experience which inspired the gathering. His talk mainly revolved around the theme of “Introduction to Social Science Research with a focus on different methods.”
He took examples from faculties about their past research works and gave a comparative analysis of the possible incorporation of qualitative methodology.
The afternoon session was addressed by Dr. K R Santhosh, Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology, Christ (Deemed) to be University, Bangalore. Dr. Santhosh focused his speech on various methods and analysis techniques in qualitative research such as Thematic Analysis, Content Analysis, Grounded Theory, Narrative Analysis, Phenomenological Studies, etc. The techniques were explained with appropriate examples which helped the students to have an in-depth understanding of the various ways in which the techniques could be applied in research.
It was indeed an enlightening and enriching experience for the students as they got to know the need, relevance, and techniques to apply qualitative methods in research.
2 day Workshop on Cognitive behaviour Therapy
Day 1:
CBT, short for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is one of the most advance therapies, used to treat a wide range of Mental Illnesses, CBT is a therapeutic approach that revolves around emotional and behavioural disturbances in an individual by working with their Physical-Sensory, Cognitive and Behavioural responses to both internal and external events.
The Cognitive Behaviour Therapy workshop conducted by the Department of Psychology was held on the 26th of July, 2019. The enriching workshop was headed by resource person Dr. M. Manjula, Professor and Mrs. Sayma Jameel, PhD Research scholar, NIMHANS. Bangalore.
This workshop on CBT, was an enlightening one where it helped the students to widen their spectrum of knowledge about Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. Sixty eight final year Post Graduate students from the Department of Psychology had the opportunity to be a part of this delightful workshop. Dr. M. Manjula, a cheerful resource person, led the students from the basic theoretical concepts of CBT through the different models used for the formulation of a case.
Day 2
The second day of the workshop the students were divided into 3 batches, Clinical , Industrial and Counselling. The focus and aim of the sessions were to throw more light on the practical structure of CBT through various activities and case studies. The Sessions were facilitated in different venues by Dr. Rema M.K., Mr. Vigranth Bapu and Ms. Soumya Simon for clinical, industrial and counselling students respectively.
The sessions began with a short recap of the previous day, after which the students were given an exercise where they had to appropriately identify and classify thoughts, feelings and physical sensations.
Three case studies were given to each group and they were asked to find the precipitating factors, predisposing factors and protective factors from the given case study. After that the flow chart for CBT structure was followed to find the core beliefs, assumptions, triggering situation, problems which included thoughts, emotions, behaviours and physical sensations. Each group was given time to discuss among themselves. After that the facilitator provided a platform for every group to share their views on the case studies.
“Second day gave us much learning and it was joyful to do the activities. Practical knowledge gave the students much deeper understanding on how we build core beliefs and how it effects our assumptions that are activated by triggering situations. I take this opportunity to thank the facilitators for all the support and the department for conducting the workshop which gave us more insight on the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.”-Lydia John, 2nd year M.Sc. Psychological Counselling.
Industrial Visit to BEL Academy for Excellence
The batch of MSc. Psychology (HRDM) students (18) and Professor Dr.Krishnan Bhatt visited the BEL Academy for Excellence at. This is a globally competitive company in defence electronics and in other chosen areas of professional electronics.
Mr. Sushant, Manager HR, addressed the students and gave them a brief about their sprawling complex spread over six acres. The academy of Excellence is envisaged to address the training needs of people. The training programmes have been structured around three core areas: Quality, Technology, and Leadership. After the presentation we then stood in attention while the BEL Anthem was played.
Later Mr.Anand , Head of Leadership addressed the students and gave an insight to several topics and introduced us to various aspects in the HR field right from how the hierarchy works to how collaboratively they work as a team to facilitate continuous learning and developmental orientation. He mentioned that in an organization we may find people with various attitudes while coming to work such as: Prisoners, some on vacation, Interrogative and the real learners but the strength and knowledge lies in how collaboratively they work to bring out the best in all for them individually and as a whole for their organization.
Mr.Anand listed several psychometric tests which will be useful for the students in their future endeavors. Some of the notable tests were MBTI, PAPI, Hogan Development, PPA. He then asked them to constantly read books and increase their knowledge in the chosen field of interest which will take them a long way. Some of the books he referred were Michelle Armstrong’s Human Resources and Labor Laws and Stephen Robin’s Organizational Behavior.
He listed the three main aspects the HR focuses on developing – The Cognitive aspect, the Behavioral aspect and the Expertise we have in our chosen Domain. He introduced the students to various Adult Learning Theories, David Kolb to name one and explained in brief the process of Recruitment.
During the session, students interacted with the Head of Leadership effectively. Particularly about the core values essential for an individual to excel in their respective filed.
The students then proceeded to have a sumptuous lunch and were later taken on a campus tour showcasing their infrastructural excellence. The visit was highly insightful for the students in terms of practical exposure and knowledge in the field of Human Resources.
Industrial Visit to Alimco
Department of Psychology, Kristu Jayanti College organized an industrial visit to the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India ALIMCO, Bangalore, on Tuesday 2nd July 2019, 18 students from Industrial Psychology 3rd semester were accompanied by the faculty member Dr. Krishnan Bhatt. The objective of the field visit was to observe and learn how ALIMCO functions and to study the structure of the organization.
Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) is a Schedule ‘C’ Miniratna Category II Central Public Sector Enterprises, registered under Section 8 (Not for Profit motive) of the Companies Act 2013, (corresponding to Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956) is functioning under the Administrative Control of Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. It is 100% owned by Govt. of India Central Public Sector Enterprises with an objective of benefiting the persons with disability to the maximum extent possible by manufacturing Rehabilitation Aids for persons with disabilities and by promoting, encouraging and developing the availability, use, supply and distribution of Artificial Limbs and other Rehabilitation Aids to the disabled persons of the country. Profitability is not the motive of the operations of the Corporation and its main thrust is in providing better quality of Aids & Appliances to larger number of disabled persons at reasonable price.
The Corporation started manufacturing artificial aids in 1976. It has four Auxiliary Production Centres (AAPCs) situated at Bhubaneswar (Orissa), Jabalpur (M.P.), Bengaluru (Karnataka), Chanalon (Punjab) and Ujjain. The Corporation has four Marketing Centres at New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, & Hyderabad and one Outreach Centre at Guwahati. The Corporation is the only manufacturing company producing various types of assistive devices under one roof to serve all types of disabilities across the country.
For the first session Mr. A. Siva Kumar Senior Manager Marketing briefed the students about the products manufactured in the unit namely The Mobility Aids including Wheel Chair folding standard model (TD 2C 51), Detachable Tricycle, Joystick Operated Wheelchair and Motorized Tricycle.
Students were also shown the working model of Walking stick, Smart Cane, Braille Cane Folding (Deluxe), Clutch elbow adjustable TD 1N 37, Smart phone, Tablet, Multi-Sensory Inclusive Educational Kit, Digital hearing aid.
After the briefing session the students were given a complete tour of the manufacturing factory by Mr. Abhay Pratap Singh, General Manager Production. During the tour the students were exposed to different types of machinery namely Horizontal Drilling Machine, Boring Machine, Powder coating machine, Lather scrapping machine etc. used for the manufacturing of the wheelchair used by specially abled people.
Mrs. Jagruti Gamit (employee) explained the students the diagnosis of various disabilities and the functioning of the Camps held by ALIMCO.
The session ended with the interaction with an interaction with Mr. Anupam Prakash, Unit Head In charge where he spoke about the vision and mission of the organization along with the short term and long term goals. The students were further advised to spread awareness about the cause.
Intra-college psychology exhibition and assessment fair
Department of Psychology had organized an intra-collegiate psychology exhibition and assessment fair “Psychofair 2k19” on 21st of February 2019 at Main Auditorium from 10 am to 4.30 pm. The exhibition was inaugurated by Rev. Fr. Josekutty PD, Principal, Kristu Jayanti College. Rev. Fr. Principle, who visited each and every stall of the exhibition gave a feedback at the end where he said that he was very happy with the way students had thought about the concepts and the clarity in their explanation.
The exhibition was divided into three sections; the first section was the display of the working models by students pursuing UG in different areas of general Psychology such as Learning, Memory, Perception, etc., they also had stalls where they got their hand writing analysis, test their hand eye coordination and to check the level of impulsivity. The second section comprised of display of equipment used in the psychology experiments such as Minnesota Rate of Manipulation Test (MRMT), Depth Perception box, Mulley Lyer Illusion, Tachistoscope, Bilateral Transfer of Learning and Weber’s law. The third section of Psychofair was the Assessment Centre where teachers and Students had an opportunity to get their various cognitive abilities, personality and aptitude checked. The assessment centre had various paper-pencil assessments, performance tasks and also computer based cognitive assessments. The reports of all the assessments were prepared and mailed on the same day.
National Level Faculty Development Programme on “Dealing with Transition: Childhood to Adolescence”
Department Of Psychology had organized a national level Faculty Development Programme (FDP) on the topic of Dealing with Transition – Childhood to Adolescence” for higher secondary school teachers, student counsellors from various schools, and school counsellor trainees from varied institution on 14th December, 2018 at Mini Audi 2 from 9.00 am onwards. The faculty development programme started with the inaugural address by Fr. Emmanuel, P.J. who spoke about the growth of the college and the department. He ann
Dr. Roopesh B N, Additional Professor from NIMHANS, Bengaluru conducted the morning session of the FDP on the topics of Transitions during adolescence and various counselling skills and techniques required to handle adolescent children. He started talking about the varied domains of changes that are set to happen during adolescence and what is its impact on the behaviour was covered. Post the tea break he started off with an activity where he divided the participants into various group and asked them to come up with some children who have been very difficult to handle during this transition phase. As the participants started to share their case, the resource person added on to his valuable suggestion on how to handle such children and also shared some of his own examples from his vast clinical experience.
The second half of the FDP was handled by Dr. Molly Joy, Dr. Alka Ranjan, Dr. Rema, M.K. and Mr. Vigraanth Bapu, K.G. The Session started with the method of case history collection where the required step for understanding the child’s problem was explained in detail. Following which there was a discussion on the need and necessity for having an assessment being done for further clarification in the symptomatology. The last session was an activity session where participants were divided into five groups and all were given one detailed case study. The participants read the case study, presented it to the other groups who later came up with the required assessment and management for the case.
Participants who attended the event felt that it was productive and were commenting on the practical approach followed throughout the sessions. They were suggesting having a more for elaborate session on the management strategies in specific.
Worshop on Solution Focused Brief Therapy
Date: 22/9/2018
Department Of Psychology had organized a workshop on Solution Focused Breif Therapy on 22nd of September, 2018 at Mini Audi 1 from 9.00 am onwards. Mr. Maxim Pereira, Assistant Professor & Counsellor, Montfort College, Bengaluru conducted the workshop with the objective of introducing students to the therapeutic & counselling process and to introduce knowledge and skills of SFBT. The session traced the development of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy which is a post-modern approach. The reasons and the phenomenon of development was outlined. Being a post-modern approach, it was explained that how the focus is on solutions rather on problem solution. It was also demonstrated that how it is a brief therapy. Skills used in SFBT were also demonstrated. Examples from counselling sessions were given to explain the concepts.
34 students from M.Sc. Psychological Counselling and M.Sc. Psychology (Counselling Specialization) attended the event and most of the students felt that it was productive though suggesting for more experiential learning.
Two Days Workshop On Advanced Counsellor Training
The two days’ workshop on Advanced Skills Training in Counseling was held on 11th and 12th September 2018 in the Department of Psychology, Kristu jayanti College. Dr. Romate John, Head of the Department of Psychology, Central University of Karnataka Gulbarga was the resource person. The workshop was started with an inaugural function in which the welcome address was done by Professor Rajalakshmi, Department of Psychology. The participants of the workshop were the students of I. M.Sc. Psychological Counseling and II. M.Sc. Psychology.
DAY 1:
On 11th September, the topics of Observation and Judgment were taught, an activity was conducted in which each students were asked to list out and then classify the feelings which they know into two categories namely Satisfied and Unsatisfied and then the needs of the client were taught to be classified under various categories. Whenever a client is being helped out in his/ her problem, the counselor should always ask questions which should be as a request and not as demands that ultimately leads to a very good relationship between a client and a counselor. A role play has been demonstrated in which how to allow the client to get involved in story telling was taught. A new concept of Blind spotting was taught to make the doubts of the counselor to be clarified after the story telling part of the client. Many refreshing activities were done to make the students involved in the session. The process of counseling has been presented with the help of the power point. Feedbacks after each session were taken in order to refine the session much better according to the expectations of the students participating in the workshop. Time for questions were also given to help students to clarify their doubts here and then.
DAY 2:
On 12th September, the session started with an action song demonstrated by few volunteers from the students attending workshop. Then the models of counseling were started. Three models of counseling namely Ivey’s Intentional Interviewing Counseling Model, Egan’s Skilled Helper Model of Counseling and Cormier’s Professional Counseling Models were taught. The skills in counseling a client were rated as low, medium and high based on the influence of those skills on the client. In addition to the above three models listed, Carkhuff Counseling Model was also taught in which the counselor and client terms were replaced by Helper and Helpee terms respectively. Egan’s model was very much concentrated in terms of three stages which contained nine steps totally. In the afternoon session, the Egan’s Model was completely demonstrated in a role play and then each and every step in the counseling process was clarified and made the students understand much better by giving a very good presentation of the problems faced by the counselor and at the same time the feeling of the client was also been brought into consideration. Then the two day workshop was ended with a feedback session by the learning experience of the students who volunteered themselves. The vote of thanks was given by Professor Rajalakshmi and Professor Naavya Patel and finally a small memento was presented to the chief guest by Dr. Molly Joy, Head of the Department of Psychology. The two days workshop was ended with a rich learning experience and was extremely beneficial to all the students participated.
Department Of Psychology Workshop On Indian Psychology
On September 11th, 2018, Department of Psychology conducted a 1-day workshop on Indian Psychology. Ret.Prof. Mukunda Rao, Head of Department of English, Bangalore University was the resource person on the topic “Self Realization – Indian Perspective”.
He spoke on varied topic such as Consciousness, Self, Ideal Self, Spirituality, Religion and interacted with all the students on the same. He also gave us an impactful insight on Buddha and his teachings. Where he spoke about living a skilful life as one of Buddha’s main agendas. He further spoke about meditation and different aspects of meditation that help us through life. He mentioned that meditation is not only through certain postures but can be done at any time of the day, anywhere as long as your mind is at peace.
The class was then divided into 5 groups, given a topic each and asked to present their topics and what their learning experience was. Students acquired a lot of information from Prof. Rao the most important learning was that spirituality is a very personal attainment. He thoughts the students that they see various aspects of life everyday and spirituality is there in every aspect knowingly or unknowingly. Students also understood how to live everyday more peacefully and channelize our energy in a healthy manner. On the whole, the workshop was very fruitful and it helped us learn a lot.
2 Day Outbound Training Workshop On “Mental Health Volunteering” At Nimhans: Centre For Well-Being
Department of Psychology had sent the final year M.Sc. Psychology students (Counselling and Industrial Specialization) for a two day outbound training workshop on “Youth Volunteering for Mental Health” organized by National Institute of Mental Health and Neuroscience (NIMHANS), Bengaluru supported by Rajiv Gandhi National institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD), Sriperumbudur held on 19th and 20th of July, 2018.
The main objective was to make the learners aware about the need for mental health awareness, youth volunteering for spreading the awareness and to carry out an Action project. The two day workshop began with understanding the level of awareness the students had about mental health and henceforth proceeded to psycho-educate them about common mental health disorder with its symptoms and epidemiology. The final session of day one covered a variety of topics such as pyramid framework of pathways to recovery, self-care, self-empowerment and evaluation of negative thoughts.
The second day started of with the importance of listening, supporting someone in distress and do’s and don’ts, continued by explaining about support, common errors in supporting, impact of support enhancement and showing a peer support video by NIMHANS titled “Push”. In the next session the students were divided into various groups and were instructed to work on a project where instructions were given separately. The workshop concluded with an oath taking to volunteer for the awareness of mental health.
The two day workshop was very practical, thought provoking and informative. The rich experience of the resource team helped the students to have a lot of knowledge and helped them in updating various information and unknown facts about mental health. The workshop also galvanized each participant to go ahead with the action project with zeal.
Workshop On “Applied Behavioural Analysis”
Department of Psychology had organized a 2 day workshop on “Applied Behavioural Analysis” for the final year M.Sc. Psychology students (Clinical Specialization) on 19th and 20th of July, 2018. With the main aim of making the students aquatinted to the nuances of behaviour therapy, the students were trained by Ms. Kinnari Bhatt, a Board Certified Analyst and Director, DAKSH ABA & Autism Services.
In the morning session of day 1, students were briefed about what Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) is and also explored the various applications of ABA. She briefed about the role of data in ABA and how it adds on the scientific flavour to ABA. She also addressed the various myths and misconceptions in the field and also spoke about the history of ABA. In the second session she started with the basic principles (Operant conditioning) applied in ABA. She was giving a lot of practical examples to clarify the hairline differences among the six different types of reinforcement. The session ended with an ASR Quiz.
The second days’ session, started with information required to register and get certified in ABA. This was followed by detailed discussion on topcs such as Reinforcement, usage of language in ABA, ways of using language (paraphrasing) and measurement of language in behavioural analysis and a group activity was conducted on Antecedent, Behaviour & Consequence (ABC). The final session was about Classification of Language, the reasons for behaviour, functions of behaviour, replacement of behaviour and methods of dealing with problem behaviour.
By the end of the two days students found the program to be very useful and practical. The students had a good idea about how an ABA based intervention could be administered on clients.
Workshop
With the motive to enhance the hands on experience of the students to use different softwares in research two day workshop on Research and SPSS Applications were conducted on 7-8 March 2017. The workshop was very educative and provided further practical tips on methods of using SPSS and other software’s like G power. The workshop focused on both the theoretical and practical aspects of research. Few students got the opportunity to analyze their research data in the workshop using SPSS. The workshop ended with the feedback session which was held during the valediction.
Guest Lecture
1. Dr. Jayashankara Reddy, Professor in Psychology, Christ University, Bangalore addressed the undergraduate students on 29 August 2016. He spoke on the basics of biology and behavior; it refreshed the division of the nervous system and then moved on to the brain the functioning of brain and its further divisions. The lobes and their functioning were also discussed and the lecture went interactive with students clarifying their question with regard to the topic.
2. Department of Psychology organized a guest lecture on 3 February 2017. Dr. George V Mathew the Founder of the new branch of Psychology called the Holigarative Psychology spoke on the history of parapsychology. He also explained that the parapsychology is very much a part of psychology like any other branch.
Field Visit
The postgraduate students of Psychology department organized a field visit on 2-3 March 2017 to the Manasa Neuropsychiatric Clinic at Shivamoga, where the students attended sessions on Psychotherapy and also demonstrated various equipment and other facilities in the institution.
Panel Discussion
The department of Psychology, Kristu Jayanti College, organised a panel discussion on 15 December 2016 in commemoration with the observance of International day for persons with disabilities, themed “A partnership that enables”. A panel of three vibrant speakers lead by moderator Dr. S.K Tripathi, Deputy Director NICC, Bangalore, actively discussed and rendered new insights to overlap the stigma of disability and assist them.
Guest Lecture
Dr. Cathy Fernandes, Program Leader, MSc Genes Kings College London addressed the psychology students on 11 November 2016. The lecture stressed on the recent trends regarding the debate of Nature Vs Nurture where though it was introduced as a debate later on was explained as an interdependent phenomena which interacts with each other to evolve itself. Dr. Cathy highlighted the recent research in the field of genetics, which further proved that there is a strong influence of the environment on how the gene is expressed. She also stressed on the need to conduct further research on the environments role on how it influences interacts with the genetics of the organism.
Extension Service
As part of the Extension Service activity students of M.Sc. Psychology have been involved in teaching learning practices; on 20th May 2015 Personality development classes were conducted for the BBM students of Kristu Jayanti College.
Workshop
On 18 July 2014, Dr. Anima Nair, Director, Kaleidoscope had an interaction with the psychology students of Kristu Jayanti College. The intention of the workshop was to understand Autism and was very useful to the students to deal with the autistic children. The speaker clearly gave the complete information on Autism and care for autistic children. Sense Kaleidoscopes is a vocational training center for children (over the age of 12) and young adults on the autism spectrum founded with the aim of ultimately getting them to become employable according to each individual's ability.
Guest Lecture
Mr. Anantho, Therapist at Athama Shakthi Vidalia addressed the Psychology students on 18 July 2014 about the therapeutic alliance between the client and the therapist also explained how it can help the client to improve in his/ her life.
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