Department of Psychology

Are you constantly flooded with persuasive messages?
Do you find it difficult because you are spoilt for choice?
Would you like to know more about behavioural economics – an emerging field?

Understanding digital nudges can help you become a better decision-maker!

The Department of Psychology, SRM University – AP, organizes a Psychology for All: Lecture Series to introduce us to the nuances of human psychology. The first of this online lecture series will be hosted on the theme Digital Nudges, on June 18, 2021, at 4.00 pm. Cognitive Scientist and Decision Researcher, Dr Sumitava Mukherjee, from the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Delhi, will be the guest speaker of the lecture.

Digital technologies are being largely used in our private and professional lives and we are forced to make decisions based on the choices available on our screens. Digital nudging is defined as the use of user-interface design elements to guide people’s behaviour in digital choice environments. Dr Mukherjee studies cognition with a major focus on human judgment and decision making. His current work focuses on how humans perceive, judge, and decide within the realms of interactions with digital technology and algorithms. He also attends to consulting and collaborative queries related to consumer research on (digital) technology interactions, usage and adoption.

All are invited to this awareness-building lecture that would help in making informed and rational decisions in digital choice environments.

Register here: https://srmap.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_TBH6CEAsScas-bUWw9UeGw

Psychology is the scientific study of human behaviour, responses and reactions. The Department of Psychology at SRM University-AP, Andhra Pradesh, organises a webinar on “Why study BSc (Hons) Psychology at SRM University-AP?” on June 28, 2021, at 4.00 pm to evince the course curriculum that involves both theoretical and practical training. Ms Ayesha Parveen Haroon, Lecturer in the Department of Psychology, will give a comprehensive overview of the field of psychology and its research areas.

Students pursuing a BSc in Psychology at SRM University-AP are given resource materials and amenities for research in Developmental and Counselling Psychology, Identity Studies and Educational Psychology. To facilitate understanding, the highly experienced faculties in the department use experiential and goal-based training. The course aims to produce skilled academicians, thinkers, and mental health experts. Students are encouraged to contribute to the field of psychology and, ultimately, to the advancement of our nation.

This webinar is designed for psychology enthusiasts to learn more about the BSc Psychology course, specialisation, jobs, and future opportunities. Stay tuned for this engaging session on June 28, 2021, at 4.00 pm.

Governments from across the globe highlight the need to scale up effective mental health services at all levels in the Covid-19 pandemic. As a part of observing World Mental Health Day, SRM University-AP is organising a three-day webinar series on the dates 8, 9, 10 October 2021, to raise awareness among students regarding preventable psychological conditions.

On October 8, at 6.45 pm, Ms Samitha, Counselling Psychologist with Fortis Malar, Chennai will take the session on the topic “Mastering your Mood”. On the second day, Dr Ninad Patwardhan, Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology, SRM University-AP will elucidate on the topic “All stress begins with your thoughts” at 6.45 pm. Psychotherapist and Special Educator Dr Vasuprada Kartic will engage the session on October 10 on the topic “Mental health for 360-degree success” at 5 pm.

One of the primary causes of psychological disability is depression. Suicide is the second-biggest cause of death in people aged 15 to 29. Assistance for mental and neurological conditions have been severely hampered during the lockdown period. Some groups have been particularly affected, including health and other frontline workers, students, persons living alone, and those with pre-existing mental health issues.

About the Speakers:

Dr Vasuprada Kartic holds double Masters in Counseling and Psychotherapy with a Diploma in Special Education and is a PhD (AM) in Holistic Psychotherapy using complementary and alternative tools. She works as a Psychotherapist in private practice. She’s also a trainer and a live television counsellor.

Ms Samitha has volunteered actively in various Nonprofit organizations such as Sarvahitey that works towards equipping rural kids from age 5-13 with important life skills through interactive ways. She was also a part of a nonprofit organization called FEEL-IT which works towards spreading mental health awareness as well as promoting the use of sanitary menstrual products among the rural population.

Dr Ninad Patwardhan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at SRM University-AP. His research areas include cognitive psychology, social psychology and personality psychology.

Make sure you join these informative and healing sessions from 8 to 10 October 2021, organised as part of World Mental Health Day.

The Department of Psychology is organising a guest lecture on the topic “Prospective Memory and Aging in Medical Adherence: An Experimental Investigation”. Prof Azizuddin Khan, Professor at the Department of Humanities & Social Sciences, IIT Bombay will engage the audience on Thursday, January 27, 2022, from 03.30 to 04.30 pm.

There are several studies happening across the world regarding implications of theoretical models and empirical findings associated with laboratory studies of prospective memory for medication adherence behaviours. Memory is a fickle thing; it changes as we age. Learn more by joining this session on January 27, 2022, at 3.30 pm.

Dr Azizuddin Khan is currently a Professor in Psychophysiology and Cognitive Psychology at the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB). He is heading Psychophysiology Laboratory. He was visiting faculty at the Department of Psychology, University of Jyvaskyla, Finland from August 2004 – December 2005, Aligarh Muslim University Aligarh, India 2015-17, Department of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Poland 2018. He has research interests in the field of Environmental Psychology, Polar Research, Developmental Neuropsychology, emotion regulation, Prospective Memory, and Developmental Dyslexia by using biofeedback and electrophysiological method. While teaching interest lies in the fields are Cognitive Psychology, Educational Psychology, Human Cognitive Processes, Developmental Neuropsychology, Biological Psychology, Cognitive Ergonomics and Research Methodology Dr Khan has done his graduation and post-graduation from Aligarh Muslim University, (AMU) Aligarh with first division in 1993 and 1995 respectively. He has qualified UGC- NET, Junior Research Fellowship in December 1998, conducted by University Grant Commission, New Delhi. He has completed his PhD from IIT Kanpur on the topic of “Temporal Aspects of Prospective and Retrospective Memory” in 2006. He has also worked as a researcher at the Department of Psychology, University of Jyvskyla, Finland, from August 2004 to March 2005. Dr Khan is an eminent psychologist, prolific writer and author of many books. He is recipient several visiting researcher fellowships such as Hermes Fellowship, DAAD, INSA, EMINTE, ICSSR etc. Dr Khan has published more than 4 dozen peer-reviewed international journals especially in the field of emotion regulation and developmental disorders.

Forensic psychology is the application of scientific knowledge and methods to help answer legal questions arising in criminal, civil, contractual, or other judicial proceedings. In the UK and the USA forensic science upholds a prominent role in the criminal justice system, however in India it is yet to gain prominence. In connection to this, The Department of Psychology is organising an Online Lecture Series: Forensic Psychology: An emerging field. The lecture will be held online on May 20, 2023. Resource person Krupa Nishar will speak on Forensic Psychology: A career with criminals and police.

About the Speaker

Krupa Nishar, a Gold Medallist from Gujarat Forensic Sciences University is a practicing Forensic Psychologist (Freelancing with Sirway Me). She is the Project Director collaborating with the Bureau of Police Research and Development, MHA for a study titled “A study of factors responsible for recidivism’ in the Prisons of Tihar, Dasna, and Bhondsi in the NCR region”. She is also Research Consultant at an international NGO in Mumbai which fights against the issue of Human Trafficking and has been a Resource person at various national and international platforms like IIM Ahmedabad, St. Xavier’s College Mumbai, University of Madras TEDx.

If you too are interested in the possibilities that Forensic Science has to offer, JOIN NOW !

In an era of increasing crime rates, forensic science employs Behavioural Evidence Analysis (BEA), to unravel the crime and find convicts. Behavioural Evidence Analysis (BEA) is a deductive based strategy that uses evidence to determine the offender’s personality. In relation to this, The Department of Psychology is conducting the second edition of the Online Lecture Series titled Forensic Psychology: An Emerging Field on May 26, 2023. The talk will be delivered by Industrial expert, Dr Amrutha Karayil will expatiate on “The Said and the Unsaid in the Crime Scene: Role of Behavioural Evidence Analysis.”

Join the session for an enthralling journey into novel aspects of forensic psychology!

About the Speaker

Dr Amrutha Karayil is an accomplished academician and an expert in the study of Crimes against Women and Children, Victimology and Victim Assistance. She holds a PhD from University of Madras in her core research area “Rape Myth Acceptance” and has a Masters Degree in Criminology & Criminal Justice Science (MA) and in English Literature (MA) to her credit. She has numerous certifications in Forensic Medicine, Forensic Psychology and Forensic Science from SIFS, Delhi. Dr Karayil’s overseas stint in Victimology from the Tokiwa International Victimology Institute, Tokiwa University, Mito, Japan and Victim Assistance from Dubrovnik University Centre, Croatia has helped her gain a deeper perspective in her craft. She is an active member at the World Society of Victimology.

Dr Karayil’s position as Teaching faculty at the Tamil Nadu Police Academy, Vandalur for the New Recruits of DSP batch allows her to share practical, in-field experience. She also trains faculties for their Diploma in Juvenile Justice and Juvenile Psychology, offered by the University of Madras. She is a Resource person at Asian as well as the European Post Graduate courses in Victimology.

The Department of Psychology is organising an online Guest lecture titled “The Role of Microglia in neuropsychiatric disorders” on June 01, 2023. The session will be delivered by Dr Neeraja Revi, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine Rockford, University of Illinois. Dr Revi will provide insight into the influence of microglia on different psychiatric illnesses.

Join the session to learn more about the biological perspective behind neuropsychiatric disorders. The talk will also be screened in the Tiered Classroom, 5th Floor, Homi J Bhabha Block.

Abstract

The lecture will discuss microglia, its interaction with other types of cells in the CNS and its potential role in mental health disorders like anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia. A focus will be given to gender-based differences in microglia and its influence. Also, animal models of these disorders and discoveries regarding the role of microglia in the recent past will be discussed. Overall, the interaction will be looking into the biological basis of different psychiatric illnesses.

About the Speaker

Dr Neeraja Revi is a postdoctoral research associate at the Blazer nanomedicine lab at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC). Her primary interest in the lab lies in developing anti-integrin peptide delivery using nanoplatforms as a therapeutic intervention for angiogenesis-related diseases. She is also focused on predicting novel targets of psychedelic compounds and developing targeted drug delivery of such compounds using nanocarriers. She is interested in understanding the microglia polarization properties of these formulations with the view of developing potential therapeutic options for mental health disorders. Prior to joining UIC, Dr Revi completed her PhD from the Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad and BS-MS dual degree from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune. For her doctoral studies, Dr Revi studied nanomedical approaches for treating neurodegenerative disorders and developing nanotherapeutic interventions for snake envenomation. She has authored multiple research articles in peer-reviewed journals and has also filed for Indian patents for developing nanoformulations for treating Theileria. She has been the recipient of prestigious fellowships like DST INSPIRE from 2010-2015, DBT BTFS from 2015-2016 and Ministry of Education funding for her PhD studies from 2017-2022.

A peaceful alignment between a healthy mind and a healthy body will enhance mindfulness or the complete awareness between the person and their surroundings. Perfecting mindfulness will help students balance academics with personal growth and maintain a healthy and positive mindset that will reflect on their innate personality.

The Department of Psychology is organising an invited talk on “Mindfulness: Theory and Practice” by Dr Radhika K, Assistant Professor in Clinical Psychology, KMC Mangalore, MAHE, Manipal. The session will be online on May 11, 2024, at 11.00 AM.

Though mindfulness is present in everyone, most are unaware of how to access it. Dr Radhika will expound on proven techniques that could help students cultivate mindfulness and understand the benefits of mindfulness practice.

Join the guided session and explore how mindfulness could be a transformative phenomenon in your life!

About the Speaker

Dr Radhika K is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, KMC Mangalore. She is a licensed clinical psychologist who completed her MPhil and PhD in Clinical Psychology from the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS). She has experience of over 9 years in providing psychotherapy and intervention for disorders like depression, anxiety, substance use, personality disorders and so on. Her areas of interest are childhood trauma, mindfulness-based interventions, trauma-focused approaches and mental health advocacy. She has published journal articles and delivered talks/workshops in related areas.

The Department of Psychology at SRM University-AP is organising an invited guest talk by Dr  Barre Vijaya Prasad, an distinguished figure in the field of Psychology. Dr Prasad will speak on “Clinical Psychology and its scope in India”. The session will be held virtually on February 12, 2025 is aimed at psychology students and subject enthusiasts. Join the zoom session to get insights on the topic.

About the Speaker:

Dr Vijaya Prasad is a seasoned psychologist and Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology Department of Psychiatry at AIIMS, New Delhi with a doctorate from the Centre for Health Psychology, University of Hyderabad.His specialisations include Clinical Psychology, Rehabilitation Psychology & Psychooncology. Dr Prasad is a recipient of numerous awards and fellowships including the Indian Association of Clinical Psychologist, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the European Society for Medical Oncology, to name a few. He has to his credit several projects from governmental agencies such as Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Department of Biotechnology and the like. With extensive research experience, Dr Barre Vijaya Proasad focuses on effective psychotherapies and empowerment of differently-abled individuals, contributing significantly to the field through publications and guidance in various projects.