How the human brain works
IN light of the rapid and exciting developments of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), the field of psychology has emerged as one of the fundamental drivers of these changes.
The Psychology School Convention, held annually at HELP’s Subang 2 campus, explores how various aspects of psychology, including neuropsychology, forensic (profiling criminals) and cognitive psychology are shaping the way we think, work and live in the age of 4IR.
The free event, draws nearly 1,000 students each year from over 50 schools in the Klang Valley, Johor, Kuantan, Penang and Melaka.
The day-long convention gives secondary school students the opportunity to experience psychology in a fun and interactive way through escape rooms, virtual reality demonstrations, experiential booths and workshops on current topics such as online predators, anxiety disorders, stress management, smart studying, bullying, music therapy and cyber addictions.
According to HELP University Faculty of Behavioural Science dean Dr Goh Chee Leong, psychology can provide solutions for most of the major challenges faced by society today.
“Through its scientific understanding of people, psychology can present ideas that bring understanding, unity, peace, success, innovation and productivity. These elements can help Malaysia progress further.”
Dr Goh, who is also the first Malaysian elected to the exco of the International Union of Psychological Science, kicked off the convention with a rousing keynote speech in which he discussed potential careers in psychology.
HELP’s resident neuroscientist Dr Choy Tsee Leng explained how different parts of the brain work and what happens to a person when specific brain structures are damaged.
Dr Eugene Tee, whose academic expertise focuses on human emotions, laid out the basic spectrum of emotions we experience such as anger, happiness, surprise, disgust, sadness and fear.
While these emotions are independent of each other, they can also be experienced at the same time, forming more complex or secondary emotions such as anticipation, gratitude, shame and jealousy.
Current Department of Psychology head and former graduate and valedictorian of the HELP Psychology programme Elaine Fernandez spoke on social psychology and how individuals relate to one another, how we deal with love and relationships, how beliefs and groups are formed and how opposing groups deal with each other.
HELP’s Psychology Challenge saw the participation of 30 schools that engaged in answering questions related to psychology. SMK Kota Kemuning ultimately emerged as the winner and student Ng Han Xiang walked away with a full scholarship worth RM90,000.
This year, the Psychology School Convention will be held on July 28 and focus on how psychology is driving 4IR in areas such as virtual reality research and neuropsychology experiments.
Students can also join HELP’s Psychology Challenge to win the grand prize of a scholarship that will cover HELP’s Foundation programme and three-year Bachelor of Psychology degree programme in full.
Secondary school students in Form 3 and above can register directly for this event.
■ For more details and queries on this year’s Psychology Convention, e-mail psyc.at.helpuni@gmail.com
The Department of Psychology at HELP offers undergraduate Psychology programmes, such as the Bachelor of Psychology and Flinders-HELP Joint Degree programmes. There are three intakes per year – January, May and August.
Orientation Day for the next intake will be held from May 16-18.
Interested applicants who have completed their pre-university may contact Joshua Yap at joshua.yap@help.edu.my
At the master’s level, the Department of Psychology also offers the Masters in Counselling and Master of Clinical Psychology programme.