The Department of Psychology was established in the academic year 1979-80. The department offers a high quality teaching-learning experience and an orientation towards research and skill-building through the curriculum as well as through the add-on courses and co-curricular activities undertaken by the department.
The students benefit from a carefully crafted curriculum that was upgraded when the college received its Autonomous status in 2018-19. New topics and pedagogies were introduced in the syllabus to meet industry demands and develop the skill-sets required to flourish as a psychologist.
The department also commits itself to helping students explore the field of Psychology within and beyond the syllabus. This is achieved through classroom teaching, guest lectures, seminars, workshops by eminent Indian and foreign scholars / professionals in the field, screening of movies with discussion, field visits, to name a few. In addition, students at the Master’s level get hands on work experience through internship programs and also benefit from campus job placements.
The program is also designed to help students develop analytical abilities by encouraging students to conduct research projects as a part of the practical papers. Apart from the students, the faculty, who are well-qualified and skilled in their specializations have undertaken various research projects sponsored by various institutes. They are also members of various professional associations, and thereby participate with their students in different seminars, workshops and conferences at the national and international level.
With a view to ensure continuous knowledge building, the department also has its own library, exclusively for the students and the faculty of the department and helps students in need by providing the required text books.
The success rate of the students at the T.Y.B.A. final University examination has been 100% for many years. In addition, the T.Y.B.Com students, who learn a Psychology-based paper in their final year, have also secured top ranks in the University examinations.
Degrees offered by the department include:
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (B.A)
Master of Arts (M.A) – Industrial Psychology
The
department offers courses in B.A. (Psychology) and M.A. (Psychology).
Papers Offered in Bachelor of Arts
(Psychology) Course:
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CLASS
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PAPER
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F.Y.B.A
(Semester
I & II)
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·
Introduction to Psychology (Paper I)
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S.Y.B.A
(Semester
III & IV)
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Social Psychology (Paper II)
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Human Development (Paper III)
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Stress Management (Applied Component)
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T.Y.B.A (Semester V & VI)
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Psychological Testing & Statistics (Paper IV)
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Abnormal Psychology (Paper V)
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Industrial/Organizational Psychology (Paper VI)
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Cognitive Psychology (Paper VII)
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·
Practicals in Cognitive Processes and
Psychological Testing (Paper
VIII)
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·
Counselling Psychology (Paper IX)
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Course
In-take: 90 students
Papers Offered in Master of Arts (Industrial
Psychology) Course:
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SEMESTER
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PAPER
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I
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·
Personality Psychology
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Research Methodology
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Statistics for Psychology
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Psychology of Cognition &
Emotions
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Psychological Testing and
Psychometric Practicals
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II
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Workplace Counselling
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Intervention Systems in
Psychology
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Multiculturalism: Theory and
Practice
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Positive Psychology
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Practicum in Industrial
Psychology
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III
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Performance Management &
Competency-based Assessment in Organizations
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Organizational Behaviour (OB)
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Organization Development (OD)
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Human Resource Management (HRM)
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Project Based Course
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IV
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Consumer Psychology
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Innovation and Change Management
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Personnel Psychology
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Internship
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Course
In-take: 60 students
SWA-SHODH
Swa-Shodh is a short-term certificate program organized by the Department of Psychology for the degree college students. It is a dual objective program designed to help the students introspect, and also learn the tenets of a particular theoretical perspective that enables them grow as practitioners and also as individuals. The program helps the undergraduate students to gain an in-depth knowledge of a particular psychological viewpoint and thereby attempts to broaden the understanding of the syllabi. The knowledge assimilated through the course also helps the learners to apply to themselves and get to their TRUE SELVES. Some of the perspectives in Psychology covered through the program are "Dealing with Anxiety Through Mindfulness", “Ego- Management Through Psychoanalysis", and "Gestalt Therapy ".
RESEARCH READING CIRCLE
Research Reading Circle is an initiative of the Department of Psychology, instituted in the academic year 2016-2017, that aims at introducing students to the field of Psychology through reading and discussing research articles from the various subfields of Psychology. Participation in the Research Reading Circle enables students to gain an understanding of various research methodologies employed in psychological research, the tools that can be used to statistically analyze data and the process of designing a research project, from conceptualization to data analysis and interpretation. In addition, the course exposes students to the use of technology such as Google Forms and Microsoft Excel in the research process. The course also provides students with hands-on experience, through participation in a group research project, from its conceptualization to the presentation of research findings. Knowledge gained throughout the course is assessed via short online quizzes and the mini-research project undertaken by student groups.
Second and Third Year Psychology students interested in understanding the various facets of research in the field of psychology and empowering themselves from an academic and research point of view are eligible to participate in the course.
At the end of the course, students will:
a)Develop an understanding of research conducted in the area of psychology.
b)Gain hands-on experience in conceptualizing, executing, analysing, interpreting and presenting self-developed research ideas in a public forum.
c)Understand the ethical practices to be kept in mind when conducting research.
d)Have the potential to present their mini-research project at student conferences, seminars or webinars.
e)Have an opportunity to use the knowledge gained outside the confines of the course.
Brief Details
Aim: To enable students to gain an understanding of (a) various research methodologies employed in psychological research via the discussion of select research articles, (b) the tools that can be used to statistically analyze data and (c) the process of designing a research project, from conceptualization to data analysis and interpretation.
Duration: 24-hours, conducted during academic year.
Eligibility: SYBA and TYBA Psychology Students.
Certification: Yes (by the department).
Co-ordinator: Ms. Karen Fernandes Almeida, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology.
PROJECT H.O.P.E
- Envisioned in the academic year 2017-18, Project H.O.P.E (Healing Our Peers through Empowerment) is a peer-mentoring training program for the third year students of Psychology. It is a robust, 30 hours of hands-on training module that imparts the practice of basic helping skills (a part of the larger psychological counselling process). Students of Third Year Psychology are eligible for this program, as an extension of their theory paper IX of TYBA (Counselling Psychology).
- Practicing psychologists are invited are resource persons to train and supervise the trainees. They learn practically how to engage in helping others within ethical guidelines of the APA (American Psychological Association) and ACA (American Counselling Association). Helping skills they learn include active listening, primary empathy, non-judgemental acceptance of people, critical thinking, creative thinking, reasoning, boundaries, multi-focussed responding, use of helpful language, avoiding giving of advice and story-telling, etc. The training involves discussions, role plays, activities and reflection. At the end of the training period, the trained students are available as ‘mentors’ for their peers in college, to offer the immediate, first help required in distress during college hours, in the college campus.
- The outcomes of this training program are revealed in the easier application of concepts by the trained mentors. They are more naturally able to engage in helping skills and practice the ethical ways of offering mental health support at this level.
Brief Details
Aim: To develop ethical mental health support and helping skills through hands-on experience, encouraging the application of Counselling Psychology paper of TYBA.
Duration: 30 hours, conducted during academic year.
Eligibility: TYBA Psychology Student.
Certification: Yes (by the department).
Co-ordinator: Ms. Khushali Adhiya, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology.
PSYCHFEST - MIND LABYRINTH
Mind Labyrinth is the annual festival organized by the students of the Department of Psychology. The festival celebrates a central theme/message through exciting games in the psychology laboratories, seminars, workshops, panel discussions and competitions. The core organizers (third year students of Psychology) and volunteers (second and first year students of Psychology) explore their talents, creativity, critical thinking, decision-making, reasoning, use of helpful language, interpersonal skills, leadership skills, team building skills and much more throughout the planning and execution of this two-days fest. Here is a glimpse into the celebrations of Psychology through Mind Labyrinth in the last three academic years.
MIND LABYRINTH 2019-20
‘U, Me Aur Hum: Strings of our Relationships’
The Psychology department of Mithibai College organized yet another fascinating year of its annual Psychfest Mind Labyrinth on the 24th and 25th January, 2020. The theme for the year was ‘U, Me aur Hum: Strings of Our Relationships’ and it aimed at understanding the colorful strings that work between individuals in a relationship, helping them to co create a space that strengthens them together. The fest was inaugurated with a session on neurobiology of love conducted by Dr. Neha Shah.
The fest enveloped a workshop titled “Kshama Virasaya Bhushanam” was conducted by Ms. Mansi Chedda which highlighted the process of forgiveness and stated that forgiveness is a choice and not an emotion. A play on #Priorities, directed by Mr. Ronak Naik, was yet another highlight of the fest which beautifully depicted how social media is affecting the equations in a relationship and how one’s priorities are changing over time. Two intercollegiate competitions were also organized.
The showstopper event was the panel discussion ‘Kuch Rang Pyaar Ke Aise Bhi’, which welcomed three couples that hurdle beyond conventional societal norms- a middle aged live-in couple, a couple identifying as homosexual and a recent remarried elderly couple. They helped everyone understand the uniqueness in the bond they share. This was truly an insightful discussion as the panelists expressed that in any form of relationship it is extremely essential to have trust, love and respect and it is equally important for one to empathize and communicate with their partner which would help one create a space that would allow homonomy.
Several other activities were also arranged during these days that welcomed people of all age groups to be a part of the fest. One of them was a fun filled treasure hunt that promoted the role of interpersonal relationships and the shared the gifts of strengthened communication and trust. Several games were also arranged based on relationships that helped players enjoy and relieve stress and various fun stalls were set up in the admission area of the college.
This fest ended with everyone taking back evergreen memories of sharing, learning and growing together, creating a space that allows one be oneself and yet binds them in a beautiful and strengthened bond with others that promotes homonomy.
Pre-event: Live Out Loud (LOL): Mind Labyrinth’s Pre-event this year was exclusively for teachers and non-teaching staff. The students of TYBA psychology organised a five days event exclusively for the teachers and non-teaching staff of Mithibai College from 16-20th December, 2019.. The events were conducted by the students and were based on the concept of Flipped Classroom – students themselves conducted workshops for their teachers and non-teaching members on art therapy, dance therapy (Zumba lessons), yoga therapy (partner yoga relaxation), obstacle race and free dance sessions. The objective of this event was to offer a platform for the teachers and non-teaching staff to experience catharsis from their heavy work schedules and enjoy the feeling of togetherness and belonging – this is in line with the theme of the festival Mind Labyrinth this year: ‘U, Me Aur Hum: Strings of our Relationships’
MIND LABYRINTH 2018-19
‘Reality Check: Awareless to Awareness’
The annual intercollegiate festival of the Department of Psychology was conducted on 24-25 January, 2019. The festival this year followed the theme ‘Reality Check: Awareless to Awareness’, which focused on busting myths and misperceptions about psychology, mental illnesses and social concerns such as discrimination. The fest, organized by the TYBA Psychology students offered several exciting games, intercollegiate competitions, a workshop and a panel discussion, all revolving around the theme. Several colleges across the city participated in the two-day festival, which was inaugurated by a department alumnus, Ms. Leena Prabhoo.
A workshop titled ‘A mine called Mind – CBT in Application’ was organized which aimed at bringing an awareness in the faulty and distorted thought processes through the techniques of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. The workshop was facilitated by Ms. Saloni Hemani; through the medium of activities and interaction, she helped the young participants explore how their faulty thought patterns often result in feeling low and upset and angry and thereby how, a change in our thought processes can help one live in a more healthy way.
The flagship event of this year’s festival was the panel discussion titled ‘Glamorization and Discrimination Unplugged’. While the workshop focused on individual thoughts’ polarization, this panel discussion explored the polarized thought and behavior patterns in the society at large. It addressed the concern of glamorization and romanticization of mental illnesses to the extent of resulting in life-threatening situations on one hand, while the discrimination of the LGBTQ, and more specifically the transgender community on the other hand. Panellists for the glamorization phase included a clinical psychologist Ms. Anastasia Dedhia, a psychiatrist Dr. Pavan Sonar, a school counselor Mr. Cyril George and a therapist Ms. Gopa Khan. The panelists of the discrimination phase included three transgender social activitists – Dr. Yoga Nambiar (social activist and performing artist), Mx. Mansi Tripathi and Mx. Vicky Shinde who shared slices of their own journey as transgenders, their experiences along with the amazing work they engage into to empower and protect their community. The panel was enriched by the experiences of Ms. Naseem Kachwala, a counselor who has also worked in the area of transgenders. This panel discussion was appreciated by principal Dr. Rajpal Shripat Hande as well.
Intercollegiate events – Muses of the Mind (poetry slam) and Lights, Camera, Awareness (film making contest) also added to the aim of introducing awareness. The exciting games and food stalls also contributed to the success of the festival which received an overwhelming response and positive feedback from all participants and visitors.
MIND LABYRINTH 2017-18
‘Emotional Hygiene: Deconstruct to Construct’
The annual intercollegiate Psychfest of the Department of Psychology, SVKM’s Mithibai College of Arts, Science & Commerce was conducted on 24-25th January, 2018. This year the festival embraced the topic “Emotional Hygiene: Deconstruct to Construct”, which focussed on acknowledging and cleansing of our emotions on a daily basis, just as we practice physical hygiene. The fest, organized by the TYBA psychology students, offered several exciting games, intercollegiate competitions, seminars and workshops, all revolving around the theme. Over 20 colleges across the city participated in the two day festival, which was inaugurated by Dr. Harish Shetty.
Two seminars and two workshops were organized during the festival. The first seminar was on the topic “Master your Emotions” which was facilitated by Dr. Anjali Chhabria. Through an interactive session, she helped the audience explore how emotions are experienced, labelled, how they drive our behaviour and thereby, how they can be managed to live effectively. The second seminar was on the topic “Vulnerability is Strength”, facilitated by Ms. Deepti Makhija. Walking through the various emotional experiences shared by the student audience, she explained how our vulnerable emotions can be used to challenge ourselves and how they in turn empower us, making that vulnerability a strength.
The two workshops were ABCD and Pawfect Therapy. The first one, ABCD- Anybody Can Dare, Come Dare To Be You – focussed on sharing the know-hows of Dance and Movement Therapy. Facilitated by Dance & Movement Therapist Ms. Kshitija Suryavanshi, the workshop created a space and offered insights to the audience to experience how emotions express themselves in some form of movement in our bodies and how these movements can help us create an awareness of our emotions. We can watch our emotions and explore what they mean to us. Thereafter, we can also some movements to help us feel lighter, acknowledge ourselves and our relations and thereby experience emotionally hygiene.
The second workshop – Pawfect Therapy- focussed on sharing the idea of animal-assisted therapy to the students. It was facilitated by the Animal Angels Foundation - Ms. Radhika Nair, Ms. Foram and Ms. Deepika along with their therapy dog Lilo. The team explained the meaning and benefits of animal-assisted therapy and how it is conducted with the presence of a therapy animal. The presence of the therapy dog Lilo facilitated the audience’s understanding of such a therapy, and its utility in healing clients dealing with several concerns such as mental challenges, trauma, etc. The festival this year received an overwhelming response and positive feedback for all the events and games.