In 1972 the chair of Historical Materialism, Ethics and Aesthetics was established at YSU. In 1993 the chair was renamed “Chair of Philosophy and Ethics” and in 2001 it was renamed again into “”Chair of Social Philosophy and Ethics”. During the past years the chair has produced 4 doctors of philosophy (A. Hovsepyan, M. Khachatryan, Ed. Harutyunyan and P. Avetisyan) and 13 candidates of philosophical studies (A. Mkrtchyan, R. Melumyan, G. Soghomonyan, S. Hakobyan, N. Tovmasyan, Z. Samsonova, M. Hurunts, A. Grigoryan, A. Mkrtchyan, A. Gharagulyan, N. Mkrtchyan, A. Sokhakyan and A. Balayan). The research topics that have been in the focus of interests include “Social-Philosophical Issues of Reproduction of Social Relations” (1975 - 1985), “National Psychology” (1985 - 2000), “Transitional Society: Social-Cultural Transformations” and “National Identity and Social-Cultural Security” (1988 - 2003), “Transformational Society and Liberalist Culture” (2007 - 2008), “Spiritual Crisis of Modernity and Peculiarities of Its Expression In Armenian Transformational Socium”, (2007 - 2010).

30 monographs and over 350 academic articles have been published by employees of the chair who have participated in numerous republic and international conferences.

In 2002, the chair received 2 and in 2007 1 research grant.

The Chair of History of Philosophy was founded in 1975 on the basis of the chair of History of Philosophy and Atheism founded in 1970. During the years of its existence chair was directed by renowned scientists H. Gabrielyan, G. Khrlopyan, G. Mkhitaryan, and H. Mirzoyan. Since 2001 the Chairman is Professor S. Zakaryan. Lecturers of the chair teach general and special courses in both bachelor and masters degree levels of department of Philosophy and Psychology and other departments of YSU as well. The chair prepares the specialists of the History of World and Armenian Philosophy and History of World and Armenian Culture simultaneously. During the years of existence of the chair many applicants and aspirants has defended candidate theses and some of them also defended doctoral theses.

Alongside with the educational and methodological work done, scientific research is taking place in the chair: there are published many valuable monographs, textbooks, manuals and scientific articles. The following textbooks and manuals were published: in 1976 H. Gabrielyan’s “History of Armenian Philosophy”, in 2000 S. Zakaryan’s “History of Philosophy”, and in 1997 G. Melkumyan’s “Theory and History of the World and Armenian Culture”. The scientific research carried in the chair basically has Armenological direction. The representatives of the chair carried out research on different stages of history of Armenian philosophy and published the following books: G. Khrlopyan “History of Armenian Social Philosophy, Hellenistic and Early Medieval Period” (1978), H. Mirzoyan, “Critical Analysis of Armenian Philosophical Thought of XVII Century” (1984), S. Zakaryan “The Problem of Human Being in the Armenian Philosophy of 13-15th Centuries” (1999), “Brief Synopsis of the History of Armenian Philosophy” (2004). There are published also some studies concerning the philosophical heritage of particular Armenian thinkers (Simeon Jughayetsi; Hovhannes Mrquz Jughayetsi; Grigor Narekatsi; Hovhannes Yerznkatsi; Grigor Tatevatsi; Araqel Sjunetsi; Matteos Jughayetsi; Garegin Njdeh).

Since 2005 two representatives of the chair S. Khachatryan and S. Petrosyan are engaged in the collaboration and design of Social Studies curriculum and National educational standards for Social Studies. In partnership with other researchers and educators they have co-authored different manuals, guides and workbooks for social studies teachers. With other specialists they also co-authored several textbooks for general education: “Social Studies for 8th grade” (2007); “Social Studies for 10th grade” (2009) and “Social Studies for 12th grade” (2011).

In the last decade professors of the chair has published a series of monographs. Particularly the following books were published: S. Zakaryan’s “The Question of Armenian Renaissance (Methodological Analysis)” (2006); H. Mirzoyan’s “The Art of Creating Words of Grigor Narekatsi” (2006); H. Mirzoyan’s “Narekatsiological investigations” (2010); and A. Sargsyan’s “The Philosophical and Ideological in the Theoretical Heritage of Garegin Njdeh” (2011). Since 2011 the chair is engaged in the research funded by state budget with the title: “Historico-philosophical and Culturological Aspects of Armenian Identity”.

The chair of “Theory and History of Psychology’’ was founded in 2005 and was renamed into ‘’General Psychology’’ in 2009. Scientific Laboratory on Psychology of Personality and Professional Activities and Laboratory of Experimental Psychology work under the chair.

The chair cooperates with a number of Universities: Avignon University (France), Vilnius University, University of Belgrade, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, Udmurt State University, Moscow State University after Lomonosov, Volgograd State University, Yaroslavl State University, Samara State University.

Our working staff and scientists always participate in major international conferences in Russia, U.S., France, Germany, Italy, Poland and other.

A number of scientific and academic-methodical events are organized for students and post-graduate students: «Psychological Vernissage», «HR courses», workshops devoted to the problems of applied psychology.

Since 2007 on the initiative of the chair and laboratories of General Psychology international conference “The Current Issues in Theoretical and Applied Psychology” are organized in which more than 10 leading university well-known psychologists participate.

The Chair and Laboratories participate also in the process of post-graduate and additional education:

Training courses of psychologists in practice

Special courses of civil servants

The following financing research themes were carried out within the Chair of General Psychology

“Developing and practicing psycho-diagnostic comprehensive model in psychological research” (Project manager

Doctor of Psychological Sciences, Professor H. Avanesyan, 2008-2010)

“Applied problems of maintaining the mental health and life of populations living in borderline areas” (Project manager - Doctor of Psychological Sciences, Professor M. Mkrtumyan, 2008-2010)

“The manifestation of the peculiarities of person’s spatial and time perception and its arrangement on personal and socio-psychological levels” (Director of the theme - Doctor of Psychological Sciences, Professor H. Avanesyan, 2011-2013)

“The peculiarities of forming person's spatial orientation in modern information environment” (Project manager - Doctor of Psychological Sciences, Professor H. Avanesyan, 2013-2015)

“Psychological research professional orientation and self-realization” (Associate Professor V. Papoyan, 2008-2011)

“The Technologies of Psychological Support in the Professional Self-orientation and Development in the system of Education, (Associate Professor V. Papoyan, 2013-2015)

“Provisioning the professional competence of youth by stimulation of their self-reliance”, (Associate Professor V. Papoyan, 2015-2017)

“The transformation of person’s time-spatial perception in contemporary environment of professional activity”, Director of the theme - Doctor of Psychological Sciences, Professor H. Avanesyan, (2015-2017)

“The Developing a Psychological testing system for Armenian Police system” program was developed by OSCE, PO. 226723 code and a contact basis and supported by the office of OSCE

The following curricula are included into the academic curriculum of the Bachelor of Psychology:

General Psychology (for all faculties)

Morphology of Central Nervous System (CNS) and Psychology of Higher Nervous Activity

Introduction to Profession

Psychology of Perception Processes

Mental Processes Trainings

Anthropology and Comparative Psychology

History of Psychology

Psychology of Cognitive Processes

Psychophysiology

Psychology and Practicum of Emotion and Will

Experimental Psychology

Psycho Diagnosis

Methods in Psychological Education

Mathematical Methods in Psychology

Psychology of Sport and Health Lifestyle

Chief Masters of Arts
The aim of “Management and Organizational Psychology” master’s curriculum is prepare highly skilled professionals who have deep knowledge in organizational psychology, managerial Psychology, Marketing, Advertising and PR Psychology, are professionally aware of the practical methods and able to carry out independent research and scientific activities.

psylabor@ysu.am

Since 2001 year Dr. Professor Gayane M. Shahverdyan has been the head of the YSU Chair of Psychology. Due to the great increase of the number of students The Chair of Psychology was divided into two Chairs: The Chair of Applied Psychology and The Chair of History and Theory of Psychology in 2006. The Chair of Applied Psychology included 4 fields of psychology: Clinical Psychology, Social Psychology, Developmental Psychology and Psychology of Law.
In 2009 the Third Chair of Psychology was launched which was named ,,The Chair of Psychology of Person” and The Chair of Applied Psychology was renamed The Chair of Social Psychology.

The following subjects of the Chair of Social Psychology are included in the curriculum of the BA program "Psychology":

Psychology of FamilyIssues

Social Psychology

Psychological Counselling

Organizational Psychology

Clinical Psychology

Psychology of Social Interactions

Psychology of Creativity

Psychology of Conflict

Issues of Image Psychology

Psychology of Law

Basics of Self-Regulation

Psychology of Personal Disorders

Analitical Psychology

Psychology of Politician

Psychology of Social Cognition

Cross-cultural Psychology

The Chair is also committed to preparation of professionals in the following two MA program specializations:

Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy

Social and Political Psychology

The Aim of the Program of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy is to develope knowledge about Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy Provisions, Ideological Basis, Psychotherapeutic Methods and Techniques.
The Aim of the Program of Social and Political Psychology is to develope knowledge about Theories of Social and Political Psychology, Research Methods, Peculiarities of Social-Psychological Works with Small and Large Groups.

The Chair of Personality psychology was established in 2009 within the Faculty of Philosophy and Psychology with Dr. Professor Svetlana F. Harutyunyan as its first head. Since 2011, Associate Professor Dr. Narine Khachatryan has been head.

The goals of the Chair are:

Promote the implementation of long-term scientific projects within the areas of Personality and Developmental psychology and contribute to the strengthening and development of Personality psychology both as a foundational and an applied field in Armenia.

Develop and introduce innovative curricula/courses into various levels of high education (BA, MA, post-graduate) related to Personality Psychology.

The scientific direction of the Chair

study of personal values, beliefs, and attitudes in changing sociocultural conditions.

study of beliefs and attitudes about a person's subjective well-being.

Study of personal growth and social capacities in the conditions of education system reforms.

The following subjects of the Chair of Personality Psychology are included in the curricula/curriculum of the BA program “Psychology”.

Differential Psychology and Practicum

Personality Psychology

Personality Theories

Developmental Psychology

Educational Psychology

Psychological Counseling and Practice

Personal Growth

Psychodiagnostic Assessment of Children

Psychology of Gender

School Psychological Services

The Chair is committed to the preparation of professionals in the following two MA program specializations:

Personality Psychology and Psychological Counselling

Child Psychology and Psychotherapy

The aim of the program of “Personality Psychology and Psychological Counseling” is the preparation of the specialists who will have theoretical-methodological and research knowledge within the contemporary personality psychology and are capable of the following:

To identify and analyze issues in studying personality within the context of current societal development.

To design and carry out various research projects aimed at sustainable/healthy personality development and develop recommendations to agencies in charge of social policies.

To provide organizational and methodological aid to the establishment of a system of psychological service within different organizations.

Implement individual and group counseling.

The aim of the program of “Child Psychology and Psychotherapy” is the preparation of the specialists who will have theoretical-methodological and applied knowledge within the child psychology and psychotherapy and capable of the following:

To study the patterns of child development, new approaches.

To study the peculiarities of child development to make improvements in education.

To organize psychological support by carrying out psycho-diagnostic, psycho-regulatory, և developmental work at different stages of a child's development, as well as organizing counseling, psychotherapeutic work with children, adolescents with psychological, behavioral, emotional, and family difficulties.

To organize various scientific-educational projects and students’ professional internships Chair of Personality psychology closely collaborates with other Chairs at YSU, also with the following organizations:

Applied psychology center of YSU,

Chair of psychology at Armenian State Pedagogical University after Khachatur Abovyan,

Chair of clinical psychology at Yerevan State Medical University after Mkhitar Heratsi,

Armenian Psychiatric Association,

Center of psychosocial regulation,

“Intra” Mental health Center,

Association of child and educational psychologists,

Republican Psychological-Pedagogical Center

Since 2011, The “Personality and Social Environment” research laboratory has been operating within the Chair of Personality Psychology Faculty of Philosophy and Psychology (ysu.am).

Since 2020, the Chair of Personality Psychology, bringing together YSU psychologists, has launched a project to provide psychological support to students of YSU and other universities by creating an environment of mutual assistance (Հոգեբանական Աջակցության և Փոխօգնության Հարթակ | Facebook).

persona@ysu.am
(+374 10) 54- 43-94
(inner line 140)

The “Personality and social environment” research laboratory was established in 2011 within the structure of Chair of personality psychology, Faculty of philosophy and psychology, Yerevan State University.

The main research directions of the laboratory are:
• study of personal values, beliefs, and identification tendencies in changing sociocultural conditions,
• study of socio-psychological characteristics of personality within the international collaboration
• adaptation of contemporary methods of studying personality in the Armenian.

International research projects:
During the ten years of activity, the research team of the laboratory has been participating in several cross-cultural studies, collaborating with researchers from different universities around the world.
• A cross-cultural study of values (the main researcher was Professor Shalom Schwartz, Hebrew University of Jerusalem)
• “Subjective well-being and entitlement” (the main researcher was Professor Magdalena Żemojtel-Piotrowska, Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw)
• Narcissism(s) and self-esteem(s) in cross-cultural context (the main researchers were Magdalena Żemojtel-Piotrowska, Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw and Jochen Gebauer, Universität Mannheim)
• “Honour”, “Face” and “Dignity”: cross-cultural study (the main researcher was Professor Peter Smith, University of Sussex, UK)
• The international study of meta-norms (the main researcher was Professor Kimmo Eriksson, Stockholm University, Sweden)
• “Towards Gender Harmony” (the main researcher was Professor Natasza Kosakowska-Berezecka, University of Gdansk, Poland)
• “Natural environments: a restorative function” (the main researcher was Professor Sofya Nartova-Bochaver, National Research University Higher School of Economics)

Grants
• “Values, Beliefs and Social Behaviour: Dynamics and Specifics in Modern Armenian Society” (funded by ASCN, 2011-2013)
• "Socio-psychological factors of women's academic advancement (the example of universities)" (YSU Center for Gender and Leadership Studies, 2013-2014)
• Personality and social behavior: short-term and long-term psychological effects of covid-19 in Armenia (Grant from Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of RA – SNCO MESCS RA "Yerevan State University")
• Subjective well-being of studying youth during emerging adulthood (Grant from Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of RA – SNCO MESCS RA "Yerevan State University")


Psychological inventories/tests adapted by the laboratory:

During the research activities of the laboratory, several widely used tests in the field of Contemporary personality psychology have been adapted in the Armenian.
• The Big five personality tests (short and long versions) measure the five personality factors (Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism).
• The HEXACO Personality Inventory measures the six personality factors (Honesty-Humility, Emotionality, Extraversion, Agreeableness (versus Anger), Conscientiousness, Openness to Experience).
• Dark Triad Dirty Dozen, which measures a constellation of three socially undesirable personality traits: narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism.
• Portrait Values Questionnaire (PVQ), which measures 10-value constructs (Conformity, Tradition, Benevolence, Universalism, Self-Direction, Stimulation, Hedonism, Achievement, Power, Security).
• Individualism and Collectivism Scale (Cultural orientation scale) measures four dimensions of collectivism and individualism (Vertical collectivism and horizontal collectivism, vertical individualism, and horizontal individualism).
• A measurement model for “Honour”, “Face” and “Dignity” cultures
• Social Axioms Survey (SAS) measures five factors: Social cynicism, Social complexity, Reward for application, Religiosity, and Fate control
• Personal well-being Index (PWI) measures the level of satisfaction across eight aspects of personal life – a standard of living, health, achieving in life, personal relationships, safety, community connectedness, future security, spirituality/religion, also the satisfaction with whole life.
• The short form of the Mental Health Continuum (MHC-SF) measures emotional well-being, psychological well-being, and social well-being.
• The Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) measures positive and negative affect.

Contacts:
Tel: (010)54 43 91, 1-40
E-mail: persona@ysu.am