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Department of Psychology is one of the founding workplaces of the Faculty of Humanities (now the Faculty of Philosophy and Arts) of restored University of Trnava (1992). By its focus, it follows tradition, culture and values of the original University of Trnava (1635-1777), one of the oldest universities in Central Europe. The main tasks of this department are providing university-degree education in psychology at all three levels of university education, and developing psychology as science through research activities.
In addition to these core activities, the Department of Psychology participates in the application of psychological knowledge in practice, especially in the context of the Student Support Centre of University of Trnava and in supporting students of Faculty of Arts with special needs. The department also participates in improving the work skills of psychologist in practice as well as professionals in related disciplines through training courses or seminars. These activities are carried out in cooperation with non-university institutions (e.g. civic association Victim support)

University education
The Department of Psychology has accredited education in psychology for Bachelor degree (full time and part time), Master degree (full time) and doctoral education in social psychology and work psychology. Depending on different degree of education, the department provides students with necessary knowledge and capabilities for use in various areas of social and economic life, in the case of master and doctoral programs especially for the use in the profession of psychologist in the various fields of psychological practice and research. In addition to these, the Department of Psychology also provides rigorous procedure.

Science and research
The Department of Psychology is trying to create space for creative discussion of various theoretical approaches from different areas of psychology and related disciplines. The result is a truly broad scientific orientation, which is reflected in the wide spectrum of scientific activities. Scientific and research activities of the Department of Psychology are implemented through grant projects that reflect current requirements and problems of psychological theory and practice, as well as by organizing scientific events. Scientific and research activities at the department relate to following areas:
•    Thinking and decision making processes
•    Psychometry, item response theory
•    Sensory perception, neurocognitive mechanism of focus and attention, functional asymmetry of the cerebral hemispheres in relation to cognitive abilities
•    Integral psychological anthropology in dimensional perspective
•    Social, emotional and cognitive image of autism in interdisciplinary mirrors
•    Meaning of life, values, attachment theories
•    Bullying on schools from social-cognitive analysis perspective
•    Mental regulation of moral actions, development and disorders
•    Sociocultural and individual aspects of place attachment
•    Noetical and axiological aspects in personality structure
The Department of Psychology publishes the results of its research activities in domestic and foreign scientific journals, monographs and conference proceedings. The department also publishes its own scientific literature, which presents the results of research conducted at the department and serves as a studying material for students.


Research laboratory
The department has complex apparatus which allows to monitor electrical activity of the brain (professional 28-channel EEG device), measure physiological responses of the body, such as heart rate and its variability (HRV), skin-galvanic reaction (SCR, SCL) and electromyography (EMG). Eye-trackers (infrared eye cameras) allow us to map where person looks with high accuracy (0,5 degree) and high time resolution (150 Hz) – we can monitor differences in targeting focus and reveal conscious and unconscious reactions. The laboratory allows us to carry out international quality research in the field of psychology and cognitive neuroscience.

 

Three-dimensional understanding of human being
The Department of Psychology is based on three-dimensional understanding of human being, which has biological/physiological, psychological and spiritual/noetic dimensions. Psychology is seen as helping profession, seeking to improve the quality and meaningfulness of human life, emphasizing respect for life, and respecting and appreciating the value of each person. Therefore, in addition to other psychological theories and methods, our study program and research activities are particularly attentive to psychological theories and methods that consider and develop noetic dimension of human beings too.