A Brief Introduction to Pszinapszis

What is Pszinapszis?

In 1997, psychology students of Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) founded the Pszichodiák Alapítvány. In the following years, this student organization had a growing number of projects, but its largest and most important activity remained that of organizing Pszinapszis, Psychology Days Budapest. The first Pszinapszis conference had 120 participants, but later on this small conference grew to be a much larger event, attracting 4000 visitors in 2009. Today's organizers are psychology students from the following universities: Eötvös Loránd University, Károli Gáspár University, Pázmány Péter University, University of Szeged.

The word "Pszinapszis" consists of two parts: "Pszi" means psychological, and "szinapszis" (synapsis) is the connecting point between nervous cells. We would like our Pszinapszis conference to be such a "connecting point" between the general public and the psychologist society, as well as a connecting point between psychology and related sciences.

Pszinapszis is a scientific and cultural event that is unique in Hungary and in the whole of Europe.* It is targeting a different aspect of the world every year (this aspect is reflected in the motto), and it is looking at the chosen aspect from the viewpoint of modern psychology. Since 1996 we introduced mottos (and main topics) such as: "Evaluation of the 20th century" (a connecting point between psychology and history);"Relationships" (different types of human relationships); "Window on Health" (health prevention, health consciousness and fostering health); "Changes" (the sequence of human life, human development); "Along the Borders" (borders between people and between people and the world, borders between psychology and related sciences), "Under Development" (About the life-long learning in many areas of your life),"I stop for Myself" (Our main topics were self-recognition, self-esteem and the importance of standing up for yourself, your identity - but we also discussed the issues of spirituality, tearing down walls and taboos, the role of interpersonal relationships and time in our life) and at the last year „Scene on the Stage!” (about our environment, pysichal and social, too).

Our conference is regarded by the Hungarian psychologist society as being an important event of Hungarian scientific life. We are proud to be welcoming every year famous psychologists such as Prof. Joseph P. Forgas, Prof. Dallos Rudi, Prof. James W. Pennebaker, Gergely Csibra, Dr. Jenő Ranschburg, Dr. Péter Popper, Dr. Tamás Vekerdy, prof. Dr. Emőke Bagdy, and acknowledged researchers of academic psychology such as prof. Dr. Éva Bányai. We are careful to ensure that Pszinapszis is a forum not only for psychology in the narrow sense, but also for its related sciences (psychiatry, neurology, cognitive science, sociology, education, anthropology, philosophy etc.).

Our Aims

The mission of Pszinapszis contains three aims: we would like the general public to get familiar with psychology culture, to accept it and to it. With "psychology culture" we mean the conscious application of psychological knowledge in everyday life situations, the maintaining of physical and mental health, and the desire for self-development. This kind of mindset can provide useful knowledge, and also, it develops social skills and tolerance. The topics of Pszinapszis, be that recent advances in research or experiences of applied sciences, are all presented in everyday language, so that people can understand the message and learn something, which they can then use in their everyday life. Psychology is not just an abstract science - it is a vital part of human life. This is what we want our visitors to see and experience. think positively about.

Programme

Pszinapszis offers a wide range of scientific lectures, workshops, discussions and cultural happenings, from 8.30 am in the morning to 2 am in the next morning...

Lectures of the scientific programme give insight into various current research and applied areas of psychology. Lectures are delivered by researchers of the given topic, or by applied psychology specialists (psychotherapists, organizational development specialists, counselling psychologists). Many of the lecturers are university teachers with such topics, that You can't listen at an average Lesson.

The roundtable discussions provide an opportunity for psychology and related sciences, as well as for different viewpoints in psychology, to meet and exchange opinions on various issues.

Possible applications and methods of psychology are brought closer to our visitors at workshops (of 15-20 people), by providing some own experience of the methods. There is a large choice of workshops so that visitors can experience various psychotherapy and mental hygiene techniques, such as relaxation, psychodrama, hypnosis, communication skills training, etc.

Continuing the tradition, we reintroduce the English section to Pszinapszis once again, consisting of lectures and workshops in English all through the three days, delivered by professors and specialists from Hungary and also from other countries.

As already mentioned above, there is a colourful cultural programme beside the scientific programme. The aim of Pszinapszis is not only to educate people, but also to entertain them, and to make it possible for them to gather experience through art and culture. Recurring every year at Pszinapszis is the "Living Library", where members of stereotyped groups can be "borrowed" and talked to (e.g. Jewish people, homosexuals, Africans, etc.), and the Room of Experiences, which allows visitors to experience the world of the disabled people. There will also be a Cinema Room with psychology-related films, as well as martial art performances. You can speak with members of public life and of the civil sector in the "Civil Street". In the evening, theatre and dance performances, jazz and pop-rock concerts will entertain our visitors.

Its services make Pszinapszis even more colourful and multifarious. The bookshop offers psychology books with a 5-25% discount, and some books can be dedicated by the author on the spot. Lectures and roundtable discussions, also those of previous years, can be bought on DVD records. The Relax Room gives an opportunity for visitors to have a few minutes of rest or have a massage.

Visitors

The Visitor Survey 2009 has revealed that 66% of our visitors belong to the age group of 19-26 year-olds, being mostly university students, and another 20% belong to the 27-40 year-old age group. Our primary target group is therefore that of university and college students, and other young adults. We put special emphasis on targeting people aged 19 to 40 also because if psychology culture and a health-conscious mindset is acquired in young years, it can significantly enhance quality of life in later life-periods.

Of course we warmly welcome people of any age who are interested in psychology and in the development of personal skills at this sparkling and colourful event. Most of our visitors live in Budapest, but some of them come from other cities and towns, and even from neighbouring and other countries. For those coming from a larger distance we can offer cheap lodging.

We hope that this description of Pszinapszis has aroused your interest. Questions and comments can be addressed to us at info@pszinapszis.hu. Further information and details of the program can be found on the Pszinapszis homepage www.pszinapszis.hu. For more information on Pszichodiák Foundation please visit our website at www.pszichodiak.hu.

* According to the personal reports of the National Representatives of EFPSA (European Federation of Psychology Students' Associations)