Words from Editors - Oct 2012

It has been a year and this is the 12th issue of Psycholic. From lack of support to being recognized by the Institute, we have proved that we are serious about the newsletter and would not just quit after the 2-minute adrenaline high. I have to thank my fellow editors for their hard works, commitments and selfless contributions to Psycholic for the past one year.

It is hard to be a good student, Psycholic's Deputy Chief Editor and Research Assistant at the same time. How can I do that? Answer: Time Management!

"Time is cruel," I feel. We have a tough routine to publish Psycholic on the11th of every month, and the regular meeting a week after. Then it is already the time to prepare for next issue. We cannot wait for our inspiration to come as my experience tells me that only a fixed schedule and self-discipline can do so.

"Time is a gift." Zimbado said though. If so, we should give it to those we most want to see and those who can gain the most from spending time with us. I believe that doing Psycholic is a wise choice because my articles can meet my readers and who in turn can gain psychological knowledge by reading my articles.

“The happier the time, the shorter it seems” ~Pliny the Younger

It has been a year and it is time to hand Psycholic over to the next generation. I sincerely hope that the new Internal Chief Editor, Jason Lam, and External Chief Editor, Warren Tang, can lead Psycholic to further success.

Stephanie Szeto

Words from Editors - Sep 2012

我是擔任 Psycholic「心中的陽光」專欄之編輯，能夠參與製作 Psycholic 真是一種榮幸，因為這一份工作滿有挑戰，而且從來都覺得得來不易。 經營Psycholic已差不多一年了，回想當初曾有人說過這樣的一份心理學月刊是沒有人看的，我聽後心裡難免有點戚戚然，再加上有編輯中途退出，令我倍覺緊張和憂慮。但很高興還有一班只求付出不問回報的編輯們繼續努力經營，這份曾被人看扁的心理學月刊才可以發光發亮。現在 Psycholic 才開始有點名氣，這已經令我感到成功在即和倍感快樂。這又一証明當人為了目標而努力，那管收穫多與少，最重要是能夠感受參與在努力當中的那份喜悅，因為這是你所做的。

Psycholic 在新學年會推行改革，目的是要令更多人認識它，從而令更加多人認識心理學。未來改革路向，我們希望加入不同元素，例如我會邀請一些同學參與影片拍攝和畫作分享。透過這些元素，希望能將 Psycholic 的內容更加生動呈現在讀者眼前。

 

雖然我知前面路途充滿難關和挑戰，但我亦知道我們這班毅力過人的編輯一定能夠跨得過那些難關的，因為黑夜終會走向光明。

Woody Yip

Words from Editors - Aug 2012

Time flies. This is the tenth issue already. It has never been easy to start a newsletter, yet the hardest part perhaps is to persist. I have always been grateful to have a few passionate editors fighting besides me. We demonstrated “social facilitation” throughout the process. Each of us supports each other. By suggesting creative ideas and implementing the plans more fluently, the product is becoming more and more satisfying.

If you ask me the key to start or unite an organization, I would say it must be communication. There are pros and cons for every idea, while editors often stand on contrasting positions during the discussion. In a condense group like us, what a leader must not do is to judge their view points. Instead, he or she should appreciate their initiatives and find the best way which everyone is mostly satisfied. Working itself is not difficult. Working with people is the most difficult. There is still a long way for us to go.

I am delighted to witness the improvements made so far. Comparing with the previous issues, now we have more pictures, more creative design and also more informative articles to share. The number of readers is increasing and we received appreciation from various sides. Particularly, the school gave us unconditional support as we grow and become mature.

Let your life flames! There is only three years of university life. Although this Psycholic consumes us a great amount of time, it is worth publishing. At the end, I would like to dedicate my best wishes to our dear readers: No Regrets.

Venus Lai

Words from Editors - Jul 2012

The multitasking generation, the “google it” generation, the information generation, the technology generation; these are only a few endearments for our current generation. The great thing about being an editor catering to the same generation is that we can truly understand what you like to engage yourself in. We know what topics make you tick, what will attract your attention and well, Bullseye!

The one thing about our generation is our love for the media, and that includes great TV shows. One of such shows that ended recently is Desperate Housewives. In its last season, there was heartbreak, there was joy, there was anger, and of course, desperation. There was everything we could connect to as viewers. Most importantly, there was psychology.

The beautiful world of psychology is all around us. Gone are the days where psychologists were viewed as old men with glasses, beards and stern eyes (not in any way referring to our father Freud). Our generation respects the founders of Psychology, but like every field of science, pushes the boundaries, find new perspectives in this every growing discipline.

As Hong Kong celebrates once again its handover from the British rule, we hope that our generation keeps psychology young and trendy, advancing into new areas that suit the needs of youngsters today.

Psycholic, on par with the youth, will continue to aim at everything trendy and current to truly engage our readers. Tonight, we are young and we would love to grab our readers as moths to a light.

Kristen Pereira

Words from Editors - Jun 2012

Psychology is the most spectacular field of knowledge in the world. It is just like architecture and we humans are its designers. A good building can stand firm during a storm, with its rock-steady structure for its foundation. The same applies to human beings. If we are able to maintain good mental health, no matter how bad things get, we can still stay strong and fight them. Psychology can help you to build your own tower of support. Hence, we are our own designers. We seek better designs and materials and Psycholic specifically provides such knowledge to the readers to make it their own. Psycholic is the right place to delve into the complicated architecture of human minds.

As became a senior editor of Psycholic, I am very glad to have my own place to present my great interest in psychology and have another platform to learn more about psychology through other editors’ works. It is crucial to find more ways to learn psychology instead of only reading notes and textbooks and not even for students to read it but everyone who has interest in various fields of psychology.

I believe, as time passes by, Psycholic is becoming more and more famous and will cover more areas just as we welcome fresh blood with every coming year and most importantly, your participation as our readers. So let us join to become the greatest designers of ourselves!

Jason Lam

Words from Editors - May 2012

歡迎大家再次閱讀 Psycholic ， Psycholic 開始直到至今已經差不多七個月了，現在回想起當時被邀請加入 Psycholic 的時候真是有點驚心動魄，但是因為我喜歡接受挑戰的性格，抱著一切在嘗試的精神，所以我決定加入 Psycholic ，直到現在我並沒有為我所作的決定感到後悔，因為我在編輯的工作所學會的，是我在書本裡面學不會的。

因為知識是死的，但是工作講求靈活變通，我從不懂變通，學會變通（當然還有進步的空間）。所以一切在嘗試，那怕不成功，只要你凡事抱著嘗試的精神，當你面對失敗，你也能夠跳出困境。最後，希望你們會繼續支持 Psycholic 並與你們的朋友分享，因為你們的支持是我們力量的來源。

Woody Yip

Words from Editors - Apr 2012

Never thought I could actually become an editor and have a column of my own in my entire life. But indeed I was given this precious opportunity. Through Psycholic, I have met great people I never would have expected; I would like to express my greatest gratitude and heartfelt appreciation towards everyone in Psycholic especially Venus and Stephanie who recruited me in the very first place. Without them, being an editor would never be possible. Therefore, with unlimited effort, I will continue to contribute as much as I can and never let them or anyone down.

Landscape photography has been one of my greatest passions as I seek to document my own personal experiences, create precious memories from present as I see them and to share the beauty and diversity of the world I’ve seen through my lens. As the images of other photographers have inspired me to explore the world, I hope my own contributions will inspire others to do the same.

Recently I have won the love letter competition held by my university and it is an absolute honor to have my love letter published here. Truly, in the very beginning I never expected the love letter to make it all the way through as I originally wanted to only pour out what has buried deep down from my heart. Perhaps it is writing it wholeheartedly instead of treating it as a competition that has made my letter the best among all. I do want to hereby thank the ELLRC for organizing this competition. Without this precious opportunity, my words would never be spoken; my love would never be expressed. Thank you so much for everything once again! 

Warren Adrien Tang

Words from Editors - Mar 2012

Greetings! This is Sora, the Creative Editor of Psycholic. In our Issue 05, we are grateful to have new bloods, Jason Lam and Warren Adrien Tang, to take part in our editorial board. Jason will bring you the secret of mind-reading by his column Pickpocket, and Warren will share with you the world through his lens by Andrien Photography. As we are now under recruitment period, if you want to become part of us, kindly contact us through email.

Coat of Arms of Psycholic, designed by Sora Siu

As the Creative Editor, I am responsible for the layout of Psycholic and my column Psycovery. Psycholic is composed by two words, namely Psychology and -holic, showing that we all are enthusiastic at Psychology. The logo of Psycholic is a kind of coat of arms. The use of colour for the field is azure (blue) as an allusion to wisdom and the planet Neptune which reflects creativity and curiosity, and also its same astronomical symbol as the symbol of Psychology. On the chief of the shield, there is a book of Psychology and a book of our Psycholic. The cross of quill pen and ink pen on the middle means that we are delivering knowledge from the literature to general public and it covers from old to new studies. On the base, the checker style of Greek letter psi in various colours with the ring surrounded represents our diversity in content and editors’ connection through Psychology. The motto of our arms in Latin is “Psychologia Fovendam” denoting “Promotion of Psychology”, which is our aspiration.

I am sincerely appreciative to have your supports and encouragements on our production which are of a great importance for our improvement and motivation. Hope you enjoy reading Psycholic!

Sora Siu

Words from Editors - Feb 2012

Hi everyone, Happy Chinese New Year! Finally exams are over, and it is time to enjoy the holiday. Hope that Psycholic could be one of the material you enjoy reading throughout this holiday! The forth volume is coming up, as an editor I have found out a lot of interesting phenomenon which can be explained by psychology theories, and also help me to enrich my knowledge in psychology. If you are also interested in psychology, or is struggling with some daily experiences which you cannot figure out an answer to explain it, maybe Psycholic is a good source for you to find the answer out. Hope you guys will support our work and enjoy a newsletter about psychology that produced by a group of psychology students. We will do our best to search for more interesting cases or phenomenon which are happening around us everyday!

Vicky Wong

Words from Editors - Jan 2012

Welcome to the first issue in 2012. On behalf of Psycholic, I wish you a Happy New Year and good luck in the up-coming examinations. In 2012, we will be contributing more wonderful content to you continuously. In order to boost the quality of Psycholic, all we need are your supports and comments.

This is my turn to be responsible for this column, and I would like to express myself sincerely. Few months ago, I heard my classmates about publishing a newsletter to promote psychology, I felt really happy. In contrast, I was worried about my poor English as I realised that the main language of the newsletter might be English.

However, I thought twice within one minute, I understood this was a good chance to improve my English writing skills. For this reason, I raised my hand and took part in the Psycholic team. It is touching that editors are patient. They taught me a lot in grammar and writing. Thank you editors, I really realise my English writing has been improving.

Action is the foundational key to all success. ~ Pablo Picasso

I know not all students are good at writing in English, but once you have the chance, you should hold it tightly. Now, I invite you who are interested in psychology or want to improve writing skills either Chinese or English to join us, also freelancers are welcome.

Dan Chung

Words From Editors - Dec 2011

Welcome to our second issue of Psycholic. Thank you for all the encouragements and kind words on our debut. It seems that the concern on psychological phenomenon is growing on the community. Good news is we have recruited two more psychology comrades to join our team. Welcome Kristen and Woody! Hope Psycholic can bring you more new perspectives to view the world.

An interesting social psychology theory called “just world phenomenon” came across my mind when I read the news about kung fu starlet, Rose Chan, has been molested by two actors. It was heart-aching to see the 19-year-old telling her ordeal in front of the press. However, instead of gaining empathy from the public, there have been a few cruel comments on her, such as she should have resisted and left or she was just plain stupid. Some skeptics even claimed the incident was nothing but Rose’s self-promotion.

Why did people criticize Rose rather than sympathize with her? As people tend to believe the world is just and fair, victims simply get what they deserve. People deny the fact that there are villains around, thus bad luck will not come off. Those who blame on Rose rationalize that they will not get into the same trouble because they are not as stupid as her.

It is just one simple example of applying psychology theories into everyday life. Get more inspiration from Psycholic then you too can be an everyday life psychologist! If you want to share your psychological view, feel free to send us your articles.

Stephanie Sezto

Words from Editors - Nov 2011

Thanks for reading our debut! We are a group of vigorous psychology students studying BSc (Hons) Psychology offered by University of Salford, which is collaborated with the Open University of Hong Kong. This newsletter aims to promote psychology knowledge and raise others’ concern on interesting psychological phenomenon.

Psycholic gathered us to work on the same goal, which is to acknowledge ourselves about the surroundings and try to explain it with a psychological background. Still struggling for a degree, we are not professional psychologists yet. Please be patient if any mistakes are made. We are indeed trying our best to write, as decent as we can.

As this is the very first time we try to publish a newsletter, we did come through a number of difficulties. The deadlines, the topics, the column names, etc. gave all of us a heart attack. Yet, we survive, believing the best is yet to come.

In order to improve the quality of this newsletter, we need your support. We are more than happy to receive your feedback and comments. Lastly, if you want to share with us any psychological view, feel free to contact us. Freelancers are welcomed.

Venus Lai