Department of Psychology

Developing individuals who can support people by scientifically researching the human mind

In the Department of Psychology, our students develop an understanding of the structure and mechanisms of the human mind from a scientific perspective, and they expand on that knowledge in order to acquire the “psychological support ability” that they need in order to assist all kinds of people in all kinds of situations in our increasingly complex society. We aim for “practical psychology that focuses on ties with society” and that contributes to the creation of better ways of life and an ideal society. We nurture individuals who are interested in a scientific understanding of the mechanisms of the human mind, who acquire the ability to support others using their knowledge of psychology, and who use that ability to contribute to society.

Curriculum overview

A defining feature of the Department of Psychology is our establishment of core courses in Psychological Support Theory*. These courses are linked to the other courses of the Faculty and serve as a foundation for psychology as a whole. Over the first two years, through their own areas of research and practice expertise all faculty members teach and discuss with students the Faculty of Psychology philosophy of “Research the mind and support the person”. Together with students, they consider what this philosophy means, what can be done to put it into practice, what should be studied in this endeavor, and what kind of self-development would serve this endeavor. In the third year, students engage in practical, interdisciplinary study of the significance of psychological support in their own fields of specialization as they at the same time consider what the study of psychology means for them personally. At venues such as seminars given by people outside the university, students also investigate the role of psychology in society. Then, in the fourth year students integrate their psychology studies in order to delve deeply into the question of what “psychological support” will mean for them after graduation.

The curriculum is set up so that students can creatively pursue studies consistent with their own career path and interests across diverse areas of specialization that include psychology of perception and psychology of learning, physiological psychology and comparative psychology, educational psychology and developmental psychology, clinical psychology and personality psychology, social psychology and industrial psychology, research methodology and English reading, etc.

*Psychological Support Theory was selected as a Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology “high-quality university education promotion program (education GP)”(fiscal years 2008 to 2010).