INTRODUCTION
The Department of Psychology is one of the youngest departments in the Faculty of Arts. Despite its short history, research and teaching activities in the field of Psychology in Maribor nevertheless boast a long tradition. Over the past few decades, the Department has made a key contribution to the studies of mental processes, behaviour and personality in Slovenia and abroad, and has diligently educated generations of teachers, psychologists and researchers.
Prior to 2007
Prior to the formal establishment of the Department, activities relating to the field were carried out within the framework of the Academy of Pedagogy, and later the Department of Pedagogy, Psychology, Didactics and Special Didactics at the Faculty of Education. Teaching work focused on the education of teachers in various fields of study. It is interesting that teacher training in Maribor had the highest proportion of pedagogical-psychological subjects across the whole of Slovenia, with developmental and educational psychology playing a key role. Researchers have focused mainly on studying the factors of learning. In the 1990s, the first electroencephalography (EEG) studies were carried out at the Department. During this time, Dr Norbert Jaušovec began systematically studying the electrophysiological basis of intelligence. Three young researchers and doctoral students also worked at the Department under his supervision, and were subsequently employed at the Department: Dr Zlatka Cugmas focused on the parents’ role in the development of children’s competences and later on attachment, Dr Karin Bakračevič studied the development of thinking and problem solving in adolescence and adulthood, and Dr Katarina Habe’s dissertation examined the impact of music on cognitive functioning.
The First Decade of the Department
With the increase in the volume, quality and visibility of the scientific research work of teachers and colleagues, as well as the call for the study of psychology at the newly established Faculty of Arts, there was also a need to establish a new, independent department. In 2007, the Senate of the Faculty of Arts of the University of Maribor unanimously decided to establish the Department of Psychology at its 8th regular session. A year later, the Bologna Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Psychology was introduced under the auspices of the Department, which was the first psychology degree programme of its kind in Slovenia. The next landmark year was 2011, when the Master’s Programme was added. Both study programmes are internationally comparable and aligned with the guidelines of the Europsy Certificate in Psychology, which provides uniform standards for the qualifications of psychologists in Europe. During the first 10 years of the Department, neuropsychological research and the study of cognition and social processes flourished. Dr Bojan Musil joined the Department when it was first founded, establishing the Department’s research of values, self-esteem and other social-psychological topics from a cross-cultural perspective. During this period, Dr Katja Košir joined the Department research and teaching team, adding the study of social determinants of learning success to her research activities. A few years after its establishment, Dr Sara Tement was hired by the Department. She transferred the systematic study of work processes and occupational health to the Department.
Today and the Future
Under the auspices of the Department of Psychology, more than 100 students completed their studies at both levels of education across the first 10 years. They now work in education, health and social services, or in companies and other organisations providing HR services. Some are also pursuing doctoral studies and research either in Slovenia or abroad. Graduates of the Department of Psychology possess ethical awareness, good practical skills, knowledge of psychological methodology and knowledge of scientifically-based approaches and methods of work. In the future, the Department aims to strengthen its research activities in three areas (1. work, stress and health; 2. cognition, personality and learning; and 3. social processes, community and media), as well as to systematically train students at all levels of education for professional, pedagogical and research work in these areas. The Department also aims to strengthen collaboration with research institutions both abroad and in Slovenia that are researching or training in basic psychological topics.
Contact:
psihologija@um.si