Psychology studies have been held in different departments since the establishment of the Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) in 1922. In 1950 the University was closed and several new higher school institutions have been established using the resources of Vytautas Magnus University. In 1989 VMU has been re-established and the Department of Psychology has been reestablished in 1990. In 2002 the Department of Psychology has been re-organised into two departments: Department of General Psychology (bachelor studies) and the Department of Theoretical Psychology (master studies). In September, 2016, both departments have been reunited into the Department of Psychology.
The Department of Psychology is responsible for the implementation of one undergraduate and three graduate study programs (School, Health and Organizational Psychology), as well as doctoral studies in psychology that are carried out in conjunction with Mykolas Romeris University (Vilnius, Lithuania).
In the Department a wide range of psychological research including the analyses of contemporary personal and public problems are performed. Since 2007, in collaboration with the Psychology Clinic, a research cluster entitled “Individual psychological and psychosocial functioning of the opportunities for improvement in organizations, educational and health institutions” has been started. Research, performed within the cluster, include studies of urgent problems of modern society – emigration, risky driving, psychological aspects of health and wellbeing and psychological support, sustainable leadership, educational psychology issues. The results are published in popular and scientific literature, reported in national and international conferences. The Department of Psychology, in collaboration with the Psychology Clinic is implementing national and international research projects and conferences as well as internal and external seminars and trainings.
Stress, stress management and the aspects of coping with stress in various groups of individuals (e.g. aspects of children’s, adults’, students’ stress management)
Psychological factors related to the diseases’ development
Evaluation of the effectiveness of behaviour change intervention in psychological diseases’ prevention
Personality traits related to the disease development
Disease-prone personality
Psychosocial factors related to eating behaviours and body image satisfaction
Positive psychosocial factors of human functioning within the context of organizational, school and health psychology (optimism, subjective well-being, psychological well-being, satisfaction with life, gratitude, forgiveness, work engagement, positive emotions, etc.)
Job satisfaction
Psychosocial risk factors at work; work-related stress
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy: theory, practice, outcome research, application in different contexts (psychotherapy, family therapy, self-help, education, health care, organisations)
Psychotherapy outcome, process research
Positive psychology and personal strengths research
The role of human resources in organizational development (psychological wellbeing of employees, work-family interface)
Leadership psychology (different leadership theories, assessment of leadership effectiveness, gender and generation differences in leadership, relationships between leadership and parenting)
Peculiarities of social perception in the context of organizational psychology
