The DENN★LEVY: Current Fields and Trends in Psychology: Empowering the 21st Century Filipino Psychologists (A Seminar)

At exactly 10:00 in the morning, the Rizal Hall’s door opened and welcomed Psychology students to witness and be involved in Psych4A’s seminar. This seminar is a part of the block’s final output in the subject “Current Issues in Psychology” led by Prof. Mardy E. Dizon (course professor). A total of 80 Psychology students gathered not counting 5 professors who attended (Prof. Mardy Dizon, Prof. Gerald Santos, Prof. Urbano Casamina, Prof. Jennifer Reyes and a professor from College of Business) and 24 fourth year psychology students who organized the seminar.

The masters of ceremony that led the audiences to the seminar from start to finish are Khimmy Magno and Peter- Paul Callado. The program formally started with a Lasallian prayer.

After the Lasallian prayer, everyone was invited to stand up, give respect, and sing the national anthem Lupang Hinirang. Then Ms. Jennifer Reyes (DLSAU HRD) gave her warm message to psychology students, and also introduced everyone to the seminar that any learning in this seminar will be of everyone’s benefit when faced in a more competitive world of professionals.

Everyone paid their attention as the speaker finally introduced. Ms. Graciel Aguila Lintag was invited as the guest speaker for the day, the Deputy Management Representative in Far Eastern University. Ms. Graciel worked for so many years in different areas related to psychology, became an editor in different publications, engaged in different activities and services, and awarded different recognition.

The seminar proper started with an introductory question from the speaker asking different psychology students as to why they chose the program “PSYCHOLOGY” as their major. Two students were given a chance to tell everyone their reasons.

The speaker appreciated the students effort in sharing their thoughts. Finally, everyone had a chance to learn the content of the seminar.

Summary of the Seminar:

Things continuously change in the past centuries and Filipino Psychologists also continuously evolve. We are now on the 21^st century and psychologists of today should have these characteristics. First is skeptical, in which we are not contented with only one evidence but we rather find other evidences that might prove what we are trying to prove. Being skeptical allows us to be open-minded where we are able to listen to other people’s ideas and also respect their opinions. Second is self-aware and emotionally stable, where we should be able to manage our own emotions and we should be aware of our actions. Third is tolerance, which means being patient towards people who have different opinions and views. Fourth is ethical, in a way that we should be aware of the accepted standards in psychology, what should be kept confidential. And lastly, 21^st century psychologists should be generous in terms of sharing knowledgeable information. But we still have to keep confidential issues at their places. We should be generous but in a way that we are still moral.

If there are characteristics that psychologists of the 21^st century should be able to have, there are also these fields in which we can apply our interests: Industrial psychology which involves organizational works; Counseling psychology, involves clinical psychology and guidance counseling; School psychology which involves works in academic field particularly teacher or sped teacher in which teachers should be able to identify the needs of the students; Psychometric and Assessment; Sports Psychology; Forensic Psychology which involves crime cases; Media Psychology; Evolutionary Psychology; Positive Psychology; Engineering Psychology which involves curiosity about what should be or should not be in a place or room; and Cross Cultural Psychology. There are also issues in psychology that we can do studies with like Gender studies, Women studies, Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender studies, Peace studies, and the Philippine Psychology Act of 2010.

OPEN FORUM: The participants are enthusiastic and eager to learn more. They were given a chance to speak out their minds regarding the seminar, their queries and clarifications. Of course those who asked questions received tumblers as a token.

Before the closing proper of the seminar, Prof. Urbano Casamina presented and awarded Prof. Mardy Dizon a certificate of appreciation for leading Psychology 4A in organizing the event. Then Prof. Mardy Dizon did the honor in presenting the guest speaker an award of appreciation for imparting her knowledge to psychology students of De La Salle Araneta University.

After everyone has settled, Prof Mardy Dizon gave his closing remarks, thanking everyone for their active participation and presence and recognizing Psychology 4A for their cooperation in organizing the event.

All participants were awarded certificates as the seminar closed.