Characteristics of specialized education

Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences offers a wide range of specialized courses, primarily in psychology, but also incorporating sports science and sociology. This allows students to acquire broad and deep expertise and skills for analyzing and examining various issues related to the human mind and behavior from multiple perspectives and empirically. To promote a multifaceted understanding of the human mind and behavior, the department categorizes its psychology, sports science, and sociology courses into three main perspectives: "clinical," "individual," and "social." By viewing the intellectual activities of each field from these three perspectives, students can learn while being aware of the organic relationships between these fields. Furthermore, acquiring the skills to think from multiple perspectives and empirically requires diligent training. Through the "Basic Seminar" in the first year, experimental and practical courses in the second year, "Seminars" in the third year, and "Graduation Research" in the fourth year, students steadily acquire research literacy, including scientific thinking skills, experimental and survey planning skills, and data analysis skills.

Seminar Introduction

"Exercise A" (first semester of 3rd year)・
“Exercise B” (second half of 3rd year)

KANAI, Yoshihiro Professor

In my current department, we run a seminar focused on clinical psychology, scientifically examining ways to cope with stress and enhance positive emotions. While the faculty specializes in research and clinical practice of cognitive behavioral therapy (a type of psychotherapy) for anxiety disorders and depression, students pursue research on topics that interest them. One of the lab's visions is to "disseminate research findings that increase the smiles of people suffering from psychological problems and symptoms," and students who resonate with this vision have gathered here.

Past graduation thesis topics have included research investigating the effects of mindfulness, a currently trending practice, and studies examining the impact of altruistic group discussions on positive emotions. For example, it has been found that mindfulness training, which focuses on showing consideration for others, reduces the avoidance of difficult interpersonal situations such as public speaking. The effects of these psychological support methods are examined from multiple perspectives, not only using psychological indicators such as questionnaires, but also by inferring from physical health aspects such as heart rate, brain waves, and stress hormones (cortisol).