Psychology All The Way!
By Athira Anand, Member of the Editorial Board
Yet another event was conducted by the psychology students of Grade 11 on the 13th of December from 11:00am — 12:30pm at the school sports complex. This was a preparatory event for the present grade 11 students who would have to guide their juniors next year on how to go about organizing, conducting and managing similar events. Grade 12 psychology students, meanwhile, were the spectators. This is was another feather in the hat for the Psychology Colloquium — which has organized quite a handful of events this year.
The event on December 13th included small segments like research papers, and group discussions on various topics and activities.
The students were all seated in large circle groups which facilitated discussions and group activities.
At the beginning of the event, the groups were challenged to come up with a unique name of their own, based on any known psychologists’ name. The 4 groups thus named themselves — ‘Sony ERIKson’, ‘Forever JUNG’, ‘EYESENCK Minds’ and ‘GESTALT & Pepper’ after the following famous psychologists — Erik Erikson, Carl Jung, Hans Eyesenck and a form of psychology — Gestalt Psychology.
The first segment of the programme was the activity session, in which Mrs. Gem conducted the ‘Johari Window Worksheet Activity’ in the student groups. On asking her about the purpose of the activity, she said, “The Johari Window Worksheet Activity helps in building trust in each other.”
The next segment consisted of the RESEARCH PAPERS conducted by three teams of grade 11 students.
Following the research papers was the brainstorming session. Each group was given various topics on which they had to discuss, find the ‘pros & cons’ and state their results/conclusions to the other groups. The topics given included ‘Adult content in children’s’ cartoons’, ‘IQ drops when one is in a group’, ‘Does depression/stress have an upside?’ and ‘Do people like you more if you are imperfect?’. Each team chose two representatives who represented the group’s views to the audience.
The brainstorming session was the final segment of the day after which the programme was concluded by a vote of thanks by Divya Premchand of 11 Arts A.
On hosting the programme, Andrea Xavier Gonsalves of 11 Sc B, said, “The audience was a little noisy, but most of them were really interactive, so the hosting was a nice, fun experience.”
Michelle Noronha of 11 Sc B, one of the co-ordinators of the programme said, “The task of co-ordinating the entire programme was challenging, but it helped improve my leadership skills. I feel more responsible now.”
The programme was thus, an entire success in terms of organization, execution and information — as has always been — all thanks to the students and the teachers, Mrs. Liza Varghese and Mrs. Gem. The 11th graders have definitely taken a stance in showing their capabilities and proved themselves to be worthy psychology students of the Indian High School, Dubai.
About the reporter:
Athira Anand is a Member of the Editorial Board of the Light House and is currently studying in Grade 12.