Arts and Sciences
Program
(recent
activity)
Psychology
for the 21st Century
June 27-30, 2005
Dr. Paul C. Vitz
EICEE’s conference on
“Psychology for the 21st
Century” dealt with an
area in medical practice that
is in great demand in CEE. The
communist regime and its fear
of terror, dealt shattering
effects on personality and the
psychology of millions. In light
of this human tragedy EICEE
seeks to bring the latest notions
and developments in psychology
to practitioners and medical
personnel that deal with the
consequences of decades of communist
ideology at every level of human
society. Psychologists and students
of psychology gathered from
over 13 different nations of
CEE to learn exchange and discuss
recent practices, social and
clinical methodologies that
could address the concrete problems
of their societies.
The conference was led by Dr.
Paul Vitz, Professor of Psychology
Emeritus at the New York University.
Since getting his doctorate
in experimental psychology at
Stanford University, he has
done extensive research in personality
theory, moral development.
Dr. Vitz proposed the analysis
of several new trends in psychology,
including new approaches to
positive psychology and personalism,
as well as the role of forgiveness
in psychotherapy and the importance
of fatherhood. Students were
particularly impressed by the
recent studies on the role of
forgiveness in building a healthy
society. They reported that
this notion has been denigrated
by the ideology of communism
and yet crucially needed. They
welcomed the challenge of bringing
the deep humanity implied by
this notion back to Central
and Eastern European society,
supported by the latest developments
in psychological research.
 “I
find the specific topics—building
of positive character strength,
forgiveness, interpersonal psychology
and fatherhood—very brilliantly
chosen, also because we are
confronted with similar problems
in post socialist countries”
Maria Glasova, Comenius University
, Slovakia
Associate professor, Department
of Psychology
“The West could contribute
to the education in the East
in two ways: one, obviously,
reach out to them with ideas…
And second to be encouraging.
The West can encourage them,
and give them that kind of confidence
through programs like we have
here at Neuwaldegg”.
Dr. Paul Vitz
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