Department of Psychology

Introduction

The Department of Psychology, the oldest in Sri Lanka offering a psychology degree in Sri Lanka, is focused on providing an undergraduate degree program on par with international standards. The graduate profile developed by the Department outlines the type of graduate that the Department endeavours to mold and the mechanism through which this will be achieved.

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Vision

The Department of Psychology of the University of Peradeniya aspires to become a leader in undergraduate and postgraduate psychology education, making a significant contribution to the science and practice of psychology, producing professionals who can serve communities locally, nationally, and internationally.

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Mission

The Department of Psychology of the University of Peradeniya is dedicated to achieving excellence in both undergraduate and postgraduate education by striving to foster competence, ethics, and commitment to the science of psychology in our graduates. The program is built on the principles of the scientific comprehension of human mental life, critical scholarship, service, inclusivity, and justice. The Department endeavors to inculcate professionalism in graduates and prepare them to serve in a variety of settings including health, education, industry, and public service with sensitivity to diversity. The Department encourages an ethos of collaboration and cooperation between students, staff, and community and strives to promote wellness and well- being.

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Graduate Profile

A graduate of the Department of Psychology at the University of Peradeniya possesses a solid foundation in scientific principles of psychology and has honed their skills through critical exploration, demonstrating sensitivity to social and cultural contexts. Their goal is to promote the well-being and wellness of communities.

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1. Scholar
   1. Graduates demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of Psychology with the ability to critically evaluate and analyze different traditions and perspectives within the discipline.
   2. Graduates can develop and test new knowledge in Psychology
   3. Graduates exhibit strong research skills that will serve as the basis for knowledge creation.
   4. Graduates demonstrate well-developed verbal and written communication skills that are employed to disseminate psychological knowledge.
2. Career – ready
   1. Graduates demonstrate strong literacy, numeracy, and digital skills.
   2. Graduates exhibit well-rounded collaborative and teamwork skills.
   3. Graduates can apply psychological knowledge to address real-world issues and problems.
   4. Graduates develop creative responses to problems in career settings.
   5. Graduates demonstrate empathy, congruence, and unconditional positive regard.
   6. Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of the intricacies of work settings, especially adaptability and resilience.
3. Socially responsible
   1. Graduates clearly understand the ethical principles in psychology and psychotherapy and can apply them in diverse settings.
   2. Graduates have a clear understanding of issues of privilege, power, and inequality and apply this knowledge in their interactions.
   3. Graduates demonstrate empathic concern in their professional interactions.
   4. Graduates can recognize limitations in their own knowledge and skills in psychology and take steps to continue lifelong learning.
   5. Graduates are prepared to lead the community towards the achievement of community development, wellness, and well-being.
4. Culturally competent
   1. Graduates can interrogate their own cultural boundedness and its impact on their professional practice.
   2. Graduates are knowledgeable of cultural practices and perspectives that are different to their own.
   3. Graduates value diversity and differences.
   4. Graduates demonstrate the ability for cross cultural competence.
5. Globally focused / globally aware/ global citizen
   1. Graduates display an understanding of global trends, issues and their impact on psychology.
   2. Graduates are ready to meet international standards necessary for education and employment.

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Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

At the end of the Program students will be able to:

PLO1 Describe, examine, and critically evaluate theoretical approaches, key concepts, and methodologies in psychology.

PLO2 Gather, review, evaluate and construct alternate explanations for research-based knowledge in psychology.

PLO3 Critically evaluate knowledge and methodologies in psychology for their cultural and contextual appropriateness.

PLO4 Devise solutions for theoretical, methodological, and everyday practical problems through the application of knowledge and skills in psychology

PLO5 Employ learned skills to evaluate and analyze qualitative and quantitative data and present findings in a wide variety of forums.

PLO6 Communicate information, arguments, and analyses, in writing and or verbally in a way that will be understood by diverse audiences.

PLO7 Define, evaluate, and perform behaviors that are consistent with ethical standards in psychology while also exhibiting professional integrity and social responsibility.

PLO8 Identify and assess the impact of one’s cultural heritage and values on knowledge production and application and its impact on those who don’t share the same cultural attributes.

PLO9 Identify limits of knowledge and skills, and to manage further learning and training in psychology and / or outside the discipline.

PLO10 Demonstrate knowledge, skills and attitudes that are transferable to situations of employment, further study, or community engagement.

PLO 11 Practice basic skills and specific qualities of an effective mental health provider such as empathy, congruence, and unconditional positive regards

PLO 12 Demonstrate competence to use digital applications to investigate states of mind and disseminate new knowledge.

PLO 13 Lead the community and the industry in diverse contexts with competence and confidence.