Department of Psychology. Address P.O. Box 9, (Siltavuorenpenger 20 D) FI UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI. Web page

Transcription

1 DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY Annual Report 2004

2 Department of Psychology Address P.O. Box 9, (Siltavuorenpenger 20 D) FI UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI Web page E mail psyko neuvonta@helsinki.fi Telephone Administration Tuition ANNUAL REORT 2004 Cover: Max Ingman Photographs: Max ingman Seppo Salminen

3 FOREWORD Dear Reader, The year 2004 started with launching of several new faculties at the University of Helsinki including the Faculty of Behavioural Sciences formed by the Departments of Psychology and Speech Sciences, that were formerly in the Faculty of Arts, and by the three departments of the former Faculty of Education. The Faculty of Behavioural Sciences gives a supportive and stimulating environment for the Department of Psychology. This annual report, available also at the Web site describes our scientific and educational productivity in the year We would like to thank Max Ingman, Hilkka Pakarinen, and Otto Lappi for their help in preparing this report. Kimmo Alho Professor Head of the Department of Psychology Marjaana Lindeman University Lecturer, Docent Vice Head of the Department of Psychology

4 Sciienttiiffiic producttiiviitty iin 2004 As seen in Figure 1, the staff of the Department of Psychology published in the year 2004 once again over 100 articles in peer reviewed, mostly international scientific journals (the category B1 in the JULKI database of the University of Helsinki). This and other scientific productivity at the Department of Psychology results from the continuing efforts of its teaching staff to conduct scientific research among their teaching and administrative duties, as well as from contributions from over 20 research units and groups of the Department of Psychology. The research staff of these units and groups, funded by external resources, form about 70% of the department s personnel. The largest of them is the Cognitive Brain Research Unit, which also coordinates the Helsinki Brain Research Centre, a joint effort of six laboratories forming one of the national Centers of Excellence in Scientific Research FIGURE 1. Peer reviewed journal articles produced at the Department of Psychology in (i.e., category B1; db.helsinki.fi/julki/en/). As seen in Figure 2, while the financial resources received by the department from the budget of the University of Helsinki have increased only little during the last years, and actually decreased slightly in 2004 compared with the two previous years, the external funding of the department s research units and groups has increased. The largest portion of the external resources of the department consists of the competed research funding from Academy of Finland (2,241,000 in 2004). As seen in Figure 2, in 2004, the total external research funding was almost twice as high

5 as 5 6 years ago and, for the first time, it was markedly larger than the budget funding from the University of Helsinki. In its part, this demonstrates the high quality and competitiveness of the scientific research conducted at the Department of Psychology University budget (1000 ) External funding (1000 ) FIGURE 2. Funding of the academic activities (in 1000 ) at the Department of Psychology in from the budget of the University of Helsinki (red bars) and from external sources (green bars). In 2004, the high scientific productivity is also reflected by the record number of 10 doctoral theses approved in 2004, nine of them in Psychology and one in Cognitive Science, the other major subject taught at the Department of Psychology (see Figures 6 and 7). A majority of these theses were prepared in the research units and groups of the Department of Psychology. Most of them consisted of 4 or more scientific articles published in international, peer reviewed journals and six of them got the highest (laudatur) or the second highest grade (eximia cum laude approbatur) on the 8 step grading scale.

6 Educattiion iin 2004 Outcome of Education Figure 3 shows for the years the numbers of enrolled students pursuing their MA level and Licentiate/PhD level studies in Psychology. Currently, the Department of Psychology provides MA level education (consisting of 180 credits, or study weeks, equaling 330 credits in the European Credit Transfer System, ECT) to some 450 students with Psychology as their major subject. FIGURE 3. The total number of MA (red bars) and Licentiate/PhD (green bars) students enrolled at the Department of Psychology in with Psychology as their major subject. As seen in Figure 3, also the number of students aiming at Licentiate and/or PhD degrees in Psychology is constantly increasing, with the number in 2004 being about 170. Many of the doctoral students are also enrolled into the national and local graduate schools supported by the Ministry of Education and the Academy of Finland and including the national Graduate School of Psychology. Moreover, most students aiming at the Licentiate degree in Psychology are enrolled into the specialization programs in different fields of applied psychology. These programs are organized by Psykonet, the national university network of psychology departments, that offers also a marked amount of national virtual courses for undergraduate students of psychology. Psykonet

7 has been chosen by the Ministry of Education as one of the national Centers of Excellence in Education for the years FIGURE 4. The total number of MA (red bars) and Licentiate/PhD (green bars) students enrolled at the Department of Psychology in with Cognitive Science as their major subject. Figure 4 indicates the numbers of MA (red bars) and Licentiate/PhD (green bars) students enrolled at the Department of Psychology in with Cognitive Science as their major subject. The number of MA students in Cognitive Science has increased to over 80 and there are currently over 15 postgraduate students. Honourable mention for a Teacher of the Year 2004, appointed by psychology students. Hely Kalska University Lecturer As seen in Figure 5, a record amount of over 8000 study weeks (i.e., over ECT credits) was earned in Psychology in 2004 This achievement reflects both the continuing efforts of our students and our teachers, especially since a significant portion of our studies is formed by intensively supervised small group and laboratory courses. Figure 5 also shows the study week credits

8 earned in in Cognitive Science.. The number of study week credits was in 2004 was about 500. FIGURE 5. Credits (study weeks) achieved in in Psychology (red bars) and Cognitive Science (green bars), the other major subject taught at the Department of Psychology. 1 study week is about 2 credits in the European Credit Transfer (ECT) System. In 2004 over 60 students received their MA degree in Psychology as shown by Figure 6. There is an increasing demand for psychological services and knowledge in the Finnish society because if aging of its population. The Department of Psychology would be ready to educate even more psychologists. However, additional teaching resources would be needed, because our current the teachers should also have time for research among their teaching and administrative duties. The goal of our department is to produce an annual amount of 6 PhD degrees in Psychology. In 2004, this number was as high as 9 as seen in Figure 6. Steps have been taken, including more effective study counseling and joint seminars for the postgraduate students, to facilitate graduate studies at the Department of Psychology and to achieve a steady rate of 6 or more PhD degrees in Psychology evry year. As also seen in Figure 6, four students received their Licentiate degree in Psychology in Salli Saari. The Teacher of the Year 2004,. appointed by psychology students

9 FIGURE 6. The number of MA (red bars), Licentiate (green bars), and PhD (yellow bars) degrees with Psychology as the major subject obtained at the Department of Psychology in Staff and students.

10 Finally, Figure 7 shows that 8 MA degrees were received in Cognitive Science in These numbers reflect at least partly the fact that many Cognitive Science students are recruited to the job market before finishing their MA studies. In addition, one PhD degree and one Licentiate degree was received in Cognitive Science in Serious steps have been taken to encourage the students to continue their studies to an MA degree and the best students to enroll in the PhD program in Cognitive Science. FIGURE 7. The number of MA (red bars), Licentiate (green bars), and PhD (yellow bars) degrees with Cognitive Science as the major subject obtained at the Department of Psychology in

11 Contents of Education The teaching activities at the Department of Psychology are divided into nine sections emphasizing the main fields of knowledge at the department. Eight of these sections are in the field of Psychology. They are (in alphabetical order): Clinical Psychology; Developmental Psychology; Neuropsychology; Perceptual and Cognitive Psychology; Personality Psychology; Psychology of Work, Technology and Organizations; Psychometrics, and Traffic Psychology. The ninth section is Cognitive Science, which is the other major subject taught at the Department of Psychology (see also The sections are staffed by the holders of teaching positions (professors, lecturers, and assistants) and by those members of the department s research groups who participate in giving the courses. It should be noted that the master s and doctoral theses are mainly prepared and supervised within the research groups of the department. Clinical Psychology Clinical psychology is one of the core areas for students intending to become licensed psychologists. The aim of the clinical learning program is to provide a suitable context for strengthening the connections between scientific rationale and clinical understanding and skills. Clinical work space for psychological assessment, Interventions and supervision. An introductory course in clinical psychology is supposed to be taken at the spring semester of the first study year. The goal is to offer research based knowledge in questions of clinical psychology.

12 The lectures present principal clinical paradigms, psycho bio social approaches to abnormal behaviour, epidemiological issues, preventive mental care, and rehabilitation psychology. The lectures are given mostly by docent level teachers. The subsequent two courses during the second study year include Basics in Mental health problems and Psychotherapy. Although not compulsory, nearly all of the students take these classes offered each year. Other elective, but popular courses offered in the academic year were a special course on Clinical Neuropsychology focusing on assessment of memory disorders and dementia, a special course on Psychological Trauma Interventions, and a course on Fundamentals of Criminal and Forensic Psychology. The Continuum of Clinical Skills is compulsory to all students aiming at MA Degree in Psychology. Teaching strategies emphasise problem based learning, metacognitive reflections, and groupwork. Courses on three different levels (modules) are organized each year. The students usually enter the continuum on their second study year. During the fall term there is a course on Basics of Client Work for Psychologists, where issues on psychology ethics, professionalism and intrapersonal skills are discussed, and interviewing skills are practised. A course on the Fundamentals of psychological testing as well as Practical course in Test methods are organized every spring and the three courses combined complete the Module I. Module II consists of three parallel courses on psychodiagnostics: one for children covering both psychiatric and neurological disorders, one for adult psychopathology and one for adult neuropsychology. A Final Essay conjoining aspects of developmental psychology, psychopathology, and neuropsychology in a fictional case study is also required. All these courses run both on fall and spring term. Module III consists of a Clinical Case Seminar where each student goes out on the field for a full case observation and assessment, presenting the case later to the group and also participating group discussions on other similar cases on all three above mentioned areas of clinical practice. Seminars are held on both fall and spring term. The Section of Developmental Psychology is responsible for organizing the courses pertaining to children on Modules II and III. A Training Seminar for students doing their internship (a compulsory 5 month period of supervised practice as a psychologist) is also arranged every year during both fall and spring terms. The internship period and the adjoining Training seminar are usually situated at the very end of the studies. Developmental Psychology The developmental psychology studies are designed to provide students a broad academic and research background in developmental psychology, and competence in clinical child psychology. The studies are oriented toward the examination of basic theoretical and research issues without forgetting the link to clinical/applied child psychology. Developmental studies also promote interdisciplinary outlook on contemporary problems of human development (e.g., pediatrics,

13 endocrinology, and neurology). Studies cover the whole life span starting from the prenatal period. Furthermore, students are encouraged to be actively involved in Developmental Psychology Research Group s projects (e.g., the GLAKU project), which concern developmental psychology questions ranging from normal development to development of high risk groups. Through participating in research projects students also achieve most recent knowledge in methodological and statistical approaches to study human development. Developmental studies in included Developmental Psychology I and II, and Clinical Child Psychology II and III (as a part of the vocational education of clinical psychologist), and master's thesis seminars and research practicing. Developmental Psychology I included lectures and small group discussions that provided students a critical understanding of the main developmental theories in psychology. Developmental Psychology II was a web based course that deepened the first courses knowledge. Moreover, during course II students learned to read critically and comment academically newest research articles as well as link that knowledge in practice via imaginary cases. Clinical child psychology courses offered student new intervention methods and first clinical contact to children. During several developmental psychology master's theses were completed. Neuropsychology EEG laboratory The Section of Neuropsychology is responsible for courses in neuropsychology and cognitive neurosciences. Tuition of professional practice in clinical neuropsychology is described above by the Section of Clinical Psychology. All teaching of the Section of Neuropsychology is research oriented and emphasizes methodological skills. The first year studies of psychology include the Introductory Course of Neuropsychology. The course consists of lectures and Kalat's book Biological Psychology as readings. Computer assisted neuroanatomy exercises are done by the students with the Brainiac program. The course is complemented by a series of lectures entitled Special Topics in Neuropsychology. This lecture

14 series is prepared by Finnish experts in different branches of neuropsychology. The lectures are delivered via video conferencing and Internet to all departments of psychology in Finland. This course is coordinated by the Psykonet, the national university network of psychology departments. The course above is obligatory to all students of psychology, whereas all later courses mentioned here are optional and bundled to each other only. The popular Basic Course of Cognitive Neuroscience of the second study year consists of lectures and the textbook Cognitive Neuroscience: The Biology of Mind by Gazzaniga, Ivry, and Mangun. Lectures on main neuropsychological disorders given by visiting experts in clinical neuropsychology. The course includes also an experimental part, which is conducted by small student groups in the EEG/ERP (event related potential) student laboratory. This basic course is followed by the Advanced Course in Cognitive Neuroscience. On this course, student groups conduct larger scale experimental studies, using ERP recordings as their research method. In addition, the students acquaint themselves with magnetoencephalography (MEG) recordings in the BioMag laboratory at the Helsinki University Central Hospital. The results of the students studies are presented as their part in the annual Day of Science of the Department of Psychology. The high quality of the student work is reflected by the fact that a research report written by the students themselves was recently accepted for publication in Neuroscience Letters. The Course of Developmental Neuropsychology is targeted to students of psychology. The companion readings of lectures is a recently published Finnish textbook on children's learning disabilities. Two courses of developmental neuropsychology, i.e., Basics of Developmental Neuropsychology I and II, in turn, are targeted to the other students of the Faculty of Behavioural Sciences. The first course is introductory with an elementary textbook, considering the lacking background knowledge of the participants. The second course involves lectures by several professionals and experts in the field, and the above mentioned Finnish textbook on learning disabilities is read. Several special courses of neuropsychology are organized, not necessarily on an annual basis, and they are even more research oriented than those above. They can concern the neuropsychology of music, or rehabilitation, for example. Students are also allowed to perform a large examination of the neuropsychological literature in the special area of their own choice. Department s research groups in the field of Neuropsychology and cognitive neuroscience have their own tutorial seminars guiding the empirical studies of students doing their master s theses. Doctoral students attend Postgraduate seminars, and one seminar is concerned with the licenciate thesis studies of the postgraduate Psykonet students participating in the clinical neuropsychology specialisation program. A postgraduate degree (Psych.Lic. or PhD) requires 30 to 50 study weeks

15 worth of courses after master s degree. A large part of these studies can be performed at other departments and universities or in special postgraduate programs. Perceptual and Cognitive Psychology The Section of Perceptual and Cognitive Psychology is responsible for providing all psychology students with basic understanding of human cognitive and sensory processes, and the basic skills in experimental methods and laboratory techniques. During the first year of studies the students take an obligatory class both in perception and in cognitive psychology. The classes are open for all university students. Though the classes are big, student oriented, problem driven, and interactive teaching methods in small groups are still being used; the class specific website makes that possible. Experimental methods and laboratory techniques are taught in two phases in hands on workshops in student laboratories. The equipments in student laboratories meet in narrow range the standards of research laboratories in cognitive psychology and perception. The laboratory exercise are closely tied to the preceding or simultaneous classes on cognition, perception and also partially to neurosciences. The obligatory part of perception and cognition culminates in the annual student conference: The Day of Science. The students, working in groups of 3 4, present their results from their experimental laboratory class in the format of a typical international scientific conference; minute talks with discussion, poster session, and some senior scientist giving a keynote talk. In 2004, however, due to limited resources, not all psychology students could take the experimental hands on workshops; they Visual science laboratory compensated this by some other activities. The interested students can take intermediate and advanced classes in perception and cognition and prepare the MA and PhD theses in either perception or cognition. Currently the section has 5 MA and 6 active PhD students. Two beginning PhD students moved recently abroad to a paid position for preparing their PhD degree: one to Switzerland and the other to Germany.

16 Personality Psychology The Section of Personality Psychology provides three courses on personality psychology. The first course focuses on major concepts and theories of personality; the second course introduces personality in context, i.e. a role of personality in mental, social and somatic well being. The third course consists of development and biological basis of personality. In addition, courses of occupational health psychology introduce major theories and research evidence regarding the impact of job contents, job design and workplace social relationships on employee well being, job stress and health. Psychology of Work, Technology and Organizations Learning distributed project work and virtual collaboration course was organized for the fifth time by Jyrki Kaistinen and Göte Nyman, in collaboration with University of Technology (work psychology, prof. Matti Vartiainen) and Helsinki School of Economics (computer science, prof. Pentti Marttiin). It was aimed at teaching multi disciplinary and virtual collaboration with students from the abovementioned universities and representatives from customer organizations (Nokia and the Helsinki City Building Office, HKR). The course was organized as a distributed project that consisted of eight virtual teams, systematic project management tools, and a related control structure. It analyzed and studied the functionality of communication and collaboration of the 1800 workers at HKR with the aim of improving their virtual collaboration practices. Part of the obtained data has been included into a scientific publication under preparation. Excellent feedback was received from the customers and the next course has been planned together with Nokia and a new customer.

17 Two doctoral dissertations related to organizational psychology (Hannakaisa Länsisalmi and Jukka Leskinen) were published during More than twenty post graduate/doctoral students study under this topic and approximately a dozen students are preparing their master s thesis. About 5 7 master s theses are finished per year. Psychometrics The Section of Psychometrics is responsible for instructing two obligatory courses: Practical Course in Psychological Research and Applying Statistical Methods II: Multivariate data analysis. Furthermore, two courses (Second Course in Statistics and Applying Statistical Methods I: Measurement and Collecting Statistical Data) were organized together with the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. These two courses are also obligatory for students majoring in psychology. Approximately 60 psychology students completed each of these four courses. Optional courses arranged in the academic year were as follows: Analysis of Variance Computer Course, Advanced Computer Course, Method Instructor Course, Applied Psychology Research Course, Qualitative methods (in collaboration with Psykonet) and Introduction to statistics (in collaboration with the Department of Mathematics and Statistics).

18 Information technology and virtual learning environments were increasingly used in all aforementioned courses. The section also gave counselling to undergraduate and graduate students, as well as to the research staff of the department, in problems related to methodology, statistical analyses and information technology. Honourable mention for a Teacher of the Year 2004, appointed by psychology students. Markku Verkasalo University lecturer of psychometrics Traffic Psychology The Section of Traffic Psychology (the chair of traffic psychology) provides an annual introductory course in traffic psychology, with basics in traffic behaviour, road accidents, and accident theory, and an advanced course, which focuses on one or more specific topical problems in the area. Additionally, the section arranges an experimental field course in cognitive (traffic) psychology that provides psychology students an opportunity to see and perform experimentation in real life settings. In the academic year , the course tested time vs. space models of timing of anticipatory head movements when walkers turn around a corner. The students write a report in article format, and the best works are even published. In September 2004, such a student work presented by Leena Gruzdaitis, "Mental load and visual search at street crossings", was awarded as the best poster at 3rd International Conference on Traffic & Transport Psychology ICTTP2004, Nottingham, UK. There are several MA and PhD students in the area traffic psychology. In April 2005, Dave Lamble successfully defended his PhD thesis "Safety aspects of drivers using interactive in vehicle systems during car following situations". Research on multitasking in real life.

19 Cognitive Science Cognitive Science is a major subject distinct from psychology, and this unit is the only educational unit in Finland that offers university degrees in Cognitive Science. Both lower and higher academic degrees as well as scientific post graduate degrees are offered. The curriculum comprises of courses in cognitive psychology, cognitive neuroscience, generative linguistics, research methods and statistics, and analytical philosophy. Beyond the compulsory introductory courses the curriculum is flexible and can be customized to meet individual needs and scientific interests. Staff of the Cognitive Science unit meet up with representatives of the Finnish Cognitive Linguistics Association (FiCLA) to discuss practical arrangements concerning a joint international symposium 'Interdisciplinary Themes in Cognitive Language Research'. (Left to right: Heli Tissari, Oili Karihalme, Christina M.Krause, Pauli Brattico, Otto Lappi). The teaching is research based and students are encouraged to participate in research projects already at undergraduate level. The main areas of research currently pursued in the unit are cognitive neuroscience & brain imaging (EEG), generative linguistics & biolinguistics, and foundational issues and philosophy of cognitive science. Students are encouraged to produce their masters theses in the research projects at the Cognitive Science Unit, and even some undergraduate research results in publications in peer reviewed international journals. In terms of studies, the Cognitive Science Unit is a small and friendly, but demanding environment. During the academic year , one of the main renovations in teaching (in preparation of the more extensive overhaul of the degree programme as part of the Bologna process in 2005) was the introduction of a new basic level course Language, Meaning and Logic. The course material is a formal introduction to generative linguistics (x bar theory) and symbolic logic, based on an introductory text and exercises by Pauli Brattico Ph.D. (post doctoral researcher, the Academy of Finland). In the spring term, Intelligenzia, the organization of cognitive science students, received a grant from the Student Union of the University of Helsinki (subsidies for innovative learning projects) for purchasing a robot kit for building a programmable robot system with simple object recognition and

20 navigation algorithms (see The machine vision student project will begin in the academic year Interaction with the society The Department of Psychology educates high quality psychologists and researchers to professional duties in the society. The department plays also an active role in the national Psykonet university network, which, among other activities, educates Licentiates of Psychology specialized in different fields of applied psychology. The personnel of the Department of Psychology appear often in the media and popularize science through popular science publications and public lectures. Many staff members are also expert members in different national committees and boards. Moreover, in addition to scientific publications and active research collaboration, the high activity of the research units and groups of the Department of Psychology is shown by other kinds of national and international contacts. For example: The Cognitive Brain Research Unit develops in collaboration with clinicians at the Helsinki University Central Hospital electrophysiological methods for the assessment of auditory perception, memory, and attention and their deficits in children and adults. The Psychology of Digital Life research group collaborates with global scale Finnish companies (e.g., M real, Nokia) in product development and quality impression measurements and evaluation of collaborative virtual network practices. The Centre for Research on Networked Learning and Knowledge Building conducts national and international projects with schools and companies on enhancing information and communication technologies in education, collaborative learning environments, inquiry learning, and network expertise.

21 The Traffic Research Unit develops road traffic and safety in collaboration with the national Road Administration, the Finnish Ministry of Transport and Communications, VALT (Traffic Safety Committee of the Insurers' Bureau), and Liikenneturva (Traffic Safety Organization of Finland), as well as with Eastern Mediterranean countries through SAFEAST program. The Personality and Well Being Research Group collaborates with the Finnish Heart Association and international health organizations in distributing knowledge on early psychosocial predictors and early prevention and intervention of cardiovascular diseases and co operates in these issues also with the Faculties of Medicine in Finland and with the Karolinska Institute in Sweden. The Psychosocial Factors and Health Research Project co operates with the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health and the National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health to strengthen the utilisation of their research results on the association between work and diseases in national decision making. The Developmental Psychology Research Group promotes mental health in collaboration with hospitals, day care centres, schools etc., for instance, by promoting interaction between mothers and their prematurely born infants. The Teaching Section of Clinical Psychology and the Neuropsychology Research Group develop methods for memory assessment and intervention and in assessment of schizophrenia in collaboration with the Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa. The research results of the Criminal and Forensic Psychology Research Group aid police investigation in serious crimes and the group has also assisted the police in offender profiling and interrogation strategies.

22 Mari Heinonmäki Kangastus. Psychologicum, C entrance hall.