Student projects dealing with substance abuse, anxiety issues, video game addiction, and other psychological issues will be on display at the San Jacinto College psychology expo. Submitted photo.

North Campus to host psychology expo

Rob Vanya, October 22, 2012

San Jacinto College North’s psychology department will host a psychology expo to allow students to showcase class projects and to provide information about psychological topics.

The expo will be held Wednesday, Oct. 31, and Thursday, Nov. 1, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., each day. The event will be held in the Monument Room, located on the second floor of the Slovacek Student Center, 5800 Uvalde Road.

The event is free and open to the public. Tri-fold posters created by San Jacinto College students will be on display at the expo. There will be more than 100 projects on display and the student projects are based on current research. Poster topics include mental illness; substance abuse; and, sexual orientation and family issues such as divorce and its affect on children. Some students have incorporated service learning into their project, volunteering at community-based agencies. First, second and third place awards will be presented to students based on creativity, content and overall presentation.

Psychology student Christopher Lakner chose video game addiction for his subject matter based on personal experiences. “I’ve spent an overabundance of time and energy playing video games,” he commented. “It’s safe to say I had an addiction as a child, but it’s more like a smaller habit now. I want to help people with this specific problem. There needs to be a consensus to what defines non-substance addiction and what the actual problem is.”

Lakner says most people are asking the wrong questions, or at least misleading questions, regarding video game addiction. “For example, instead of asking if violent games affect children, I feel it should be asked why people choose the games they do, and ask why they spend so much time and energy playing them. If we start asking different questions concerning why people play what they do, then we might get better ideas about the root of the problem.”

Darla Rocha, San Jacinto College psychology professor and North Campus behavioral sciences department chair, said students look forward to sharing what they have learned with others. “The expo gives students opportunities to showcase psychological topics while demonstrating creative skills,” she said.

There will be a table with information about psychology and mental health professions. Instructors will be available to provide information about psychology and mental health degrees and certificates. San Jacinto College offers psychology courses at all three campuses.

About San Jacinto College

Surrounded by monuments of history, industries and maritime enterprises of today, and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has been serving the citizens of East Harris County, Texas, for more than 50 years. The Achieving the Dream Leader College is committed to the goals and aspirations of a diverse population of 30,000 students in more than 200 degree and certificate options, including university transfer and career preparation. Students also benefit from the College’s job training programs, renowned for meeting the needs of growing industries in the region. San Jacinto College graduates contribute nearly $630 million each year to the Texas workforce. San Jacinto College. Your Goals. Your College.

For more information about San Jacinto College, please call 281-998-6150, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.