Short Bio
Prof. Cynthia Sin U Leong Brochado is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the Faculty of Health Sciences. Born and raised in Macau, she holds a Ph.D. in Psychology, a Master's degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy, and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. Prof. Cynthia has been cultivating her counselling skills and expanding her research knowledge since her time as a research assistant at the Center for Psychological Research and Practice, where she worked under the mentorship of Prof. Imelu G. Mordeno while pursuing her Master's degree. During her master's program, she not only completed her internship but also provided counselling services to clients from the community, ranging from adolescents to university students and young adults, all under the close supervision of her mentor. She continued practising even after completing her Master's degree.
Before transitioning to teaching, Prof. Cynthia gained valuable experience working in an NGO in research, the university library, and alumni and student affairs. During her teaching career, she also participated in the buddy system, where she was assigned to a batch of students to provide support and guidance until they graduated, after which she would be assigned another batch. Additionally, she assisted in organising academic seminars and conferences. Being a full-time lecturer and fully committed to her doctoral studies, Prof. Cynthia resumed her practice after successfully completing her doctoral degree, with more knowledge and life experience, which she believes will benefit her clients even more in counselling.
Her doctoral thesis, titled "Young Adults' Use of Electronic Devices in Macao: A Contribution to Understanding Human Beings in the Digital Era," reflects her deep interest in the intersection of technology and human behaviour. Currently, her research focuses on resilience and optimism, parenting styles, mental health and well-being, self-concepts, strengths use, mindfulness, and social media use among adolescents and young adults. Additionally, she is interested in conducting research in the areas of counselling psychology, educational psychology, public health, and mental health.
Publications
PUBLICATIONS
Mordeno, I.G., Coteriano, C., Leong, S.U. (2017). Examining the Latent Structure of Gambling Motivation and Its Relationship with Gambling Behavior in Gambling-Exposed Chinese Casino Employees. Psychological Studies, doi: 10.1007/s12646-017-0414-x.
Mordeno, I.G., Nalipay, M.J.N., Coteriano, C., Leong, S.U. (2017). Examining the Factor Structure of the Victorian Gambling Screen in Chinese Casino Workers. Curr Psychol. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-017-9699-0
CONFERENCE
Leong, S.U., & Teixeira, V.S. (2022). Sex differences in personal electronic device use and activities among university students in Macau. The FIUC 7th International Psychology Congress. Porto, Portugal.
Leong, S.U., & Mordeno, I.G. (2015). Achievement goals on school engagement: looking at the mediating role of academic emotions in Chinese secondary school students. The 5th ASEAN Regional Union of Psychological Societies (ARUPS) Congress. Singapore.
Leong, S.U., & Mordeno, I.G., & Coteriano, C.M. (2012). Examining the Factor Structure of Gambling Motivation Scale in Gambling-exposed Chinese Casino Employees. 2012: The First Asia Pacific Conference on Gambling and Commercial Gaming Research. Macao, China.
Mordeno, I.G., Coteriano, C.M., & Leong, S.U. (2012). Examining the Latent Structure of Gambling Motivation Scale in Gambling-exposed Chinese Casino Employees. 2012: The First Asia Pacific Conference on Gambling and Commercial Gaming Research. Macao, China.
Orcid: 0009-0002-8668-2382
Scopus profile: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57195926285
Modules
Year 1 Bachelor
This module provides an overview of the issues involved in research design and practice. Research is considered within its epistemological, social and political contexts, and questions of what research is for and how t can be assessed are considered. The formulation of a researchable question/hypothesis and translating it into an appropriate and practicable research design is explored. Various approaches to research are introduced and the process of conducting a project is examined. Attention is given to planning research, data collection, analysis and reporting.
This course module will discuss and cover the basic concepts, principles, methods, and fields of study of human behaviour. Major topics of discussion shall include basic concepts of sensation, perception, learning, motivation, personality, conflict, social behaviour, and adjustment. Moreover, it will discuss about personality, psychological disorders, therapy and social psychology.
This course module aims to: 1). Discuss, familiarize and acquire the integrative knowledge and overview of psychology; 2). Understand the human behavior, mental processes and developing through the life span; and 3). Appreciate, analyze and apply the knowledge gained about the theories, principles and
biopsychosocial, cultural influences on human development and behavioral issues.
This course is an introduction to basic theoretical framework, assumptions and skills in the helping process. Approaches in the application of psychoanalytic, behavioral and humanistic theories will be examined. Emphasis will be on the training of micro-level helping skills.
This course is an introduction to computers and related technologies, including basic computer concepts/terminology and hands-on experience in the use of spreadsheets, programming language and database applications. The role of Information Systems in organizations is also discussed. In addition, an introduction to the use of data communications and other automation systems, including the study of local and wide area networks, voice and electronic mail, video conferencing, and other automation tools are examined.
This module is an introduction to the field of Psychology. It will start with considering what psychology is, what the different influences on human behaviour are. The historical development of Psychology as a scientific discipline will be detailed and major schools of thoughts contrasted. The different areas within psychology will be briefly outlined. Some of the major themes and research questions within psychology will be considered. This will include looking at research studies conducted by psychologists in order to investigate some of the possible influences on human behaviour.
This module is an introduction to the basic concepts and procedures used in psychological research. It introduces the use of scientific methods in the investigation and analysis of psychological phenomena. The module emphasises the process of designing, conducting, analysing and interpreting research methods.
This course will provide a practical introduction to using statistics to describe and analyse data from psychological research. The module will begin with a consideration of what data is, as well as the different types of data (or levels of measurement) in psychological research. Students will learn how to generate a range of measures of central tendancy, dispersion, correlation and simple linear regression for datasets. They will also learn the principles of inferential statistics required by all psychologists to analyze and interpret data from psychological studies, in particular how to compare scores in order to infer significant differences.
This course aims at providing fundamental concepts and knowledge in social science research methods. Course contents include: three research approaches, how to conduct a qualitative interview and observation, how to conduct a quantitative survey, basic research process, understanding the differences between theory, hypothesis and research questions, how to write a research report, and finally, some ethical issues. Emphasis will be made on training students to be able to conduct small research projects.
Year 2 Bachelor
This module requires a background of calculus as prerequisite. It provides an introduction to basic probability and statistics, and motivates students to build skills in data collection and analysis. Topics covered include statistics and data analysis, probability, random variables and probability distributions, mathematical expectation, some discrete probability distributions, some continuous probability distributions, functions of random variables, fundamental sampling distributions and data descriptions, sample estimation problems, tests of hypotheses, simple linear regression and correlation, experiments and fractions, as well as statistical quality control.
Probability and Statistics - LIS222 / LAR224
This module introduces students the relevance between probability, statistics, and the daily lives. More than only a piece of information in the news or newspaper, statistics can increase our understanding of our world. Basic statistics techniques will be introduced and discussed.
In this module, students will be able to understand the concepts behind probability and statistics. Rather than memorizing every detail of a statistical procedure, students are required to understand the general concepts involved. Students will learn how to use SPSS to analyze and compute data.
This module will introduce the scientific study of motivation and emotion. In the first part of the module, the forms and systems of motivation and the motivational processes will be reviewed, in particular, how motivation effects well-being, optimal functioning and the intergroup and interpersonal relations. In the second part of this module, the students will learn the classification of emotions, their biological bases and the cognitive processes connected to emotions. The role of emotions in every day life will be addressed, namely in human relations, art, economic behaviour and achievement. The concepts of emotional intelligence and competence will be outlined and how to assess and foster them.
This module covers the major theories of personality. The module begins by considering different definitions of personality and the extent to which personality is an inherited set of traits and what role the environment has in shaping personality. Then the module organises the numerous ideas and theories which attempt to explain human personality into broad areas or perspectives (e.g. the psychodynamic perspective, the trait/learning perspective and the humanistic perspective). Students will learn how these different theoretical perspectives can be applied to explain the behavioral traits of different individuals. Finally, the challenges in accurately measuring human personality will be considered together with the range of different instruments psychologists have developed to test human personality.
This module covers more advanced topics in research methods including complex design of studies such as cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. It emphasises applying the concepts of research methods to actual studies in psychological research as well as learning the skills and techniques for writing reports about psychological research.
This course aims at providing fundamental concepts and knowledge in counseling and intentional interviewing. Course contents include: the influence of a counselor’s personality and profession in counseling, ethical issues, micro skills in interviewing and counseling, therapeutic processes, techniques and procedures of different approaches. Emphasis will be made on training students as an effective helper in the aspect of micro interviewing skills and counseling approaches.
Year 3 Bachelor
This module provides students with the social science tools needed to solve organizational problems and influence the actions of individuals, groups and organizations. It prepares managers to understand how to best organize and motivate the human capital of the firm, manage social networks and alliances, and execute strategic change. This will be accomplished through knowledge of competitive decision-making, reward system design, team building, strategic negotiation, political dynamics, corporate culture and strategic organizational design.
Students will experiment with different approaches to identifying, understanding and managing the dynamics of social interaction. Students will be encouraged to use concepts of design and architecture to explore issues such as the dynamics of social environments, organizations, ecology, science and technology, creativity and innovation, media and multimedia. A problematizing approach to learning and the use of cooperative education techniques will enable students to deepen their understanding of complex social issues and environments, and to assist them in developing thoughtful ways of interacting with the world.
This module provides a sound understanding of experimental techniques in psychological research. Students will gain an appreciation of the importance of experimental methods in psychological research. The distinction between ‘true’ and ‘quasi’ experiments will be explained as well as the different types of experimental studies used in psycholgical research. The fundamentals of experimentation will be explored and the different experimental designs that can be used are described. The various threats to the validity of experiments will be considered, especially threats to internal validity. Finally, the ethical considerations that relate to experimentation in psychology will be considered.
Year 4 Bachelor
Students are expected to be conversant with some of the most pertinent literature of and for our times. Even though we disavow the relative merits of fixed lists of works considered classics, we do affirm the intrinsic value of communal reading and theorizing. Reading lists will be defined and evolve through proposals from faculty and students.
As an integral part of the Licenciate studies, all undergraduate students at USJ are required to prepare and present a portfolio of their work. The portfolio is assembled over the entire duration of their undergraduate studies, and is to consist of selected pieces of work that they have produced during their studies. A student’s portfolio may contain examples of assignment work, tests and examination answer scripts, presentations and project reports, and other work done by the student during his or her studies.
Building upon the students’ knowledge of research methods and the analaysis of data from research studies in psychology, this module will require students to conduct their own research project proposal to explore a research question selected from a range of different topics derived from the psychology literature. Students will be organised into groups under the leadership of a member of faculty who will guide them through the process of developing, conducting and reporting on their own research project. Students will need to submit a written project report and also to make an oral presentation of their project and answer questions related to their project.
The aim of this module is to provide a context to learn and practice the counselling skills essential to the practice of clinical psychology. It will give special attention to the various aspects of the therapeutic setting (person, time and space) and the process of interviewing clients. Using role playing tecnhiques, students will have the opportunity to practice the micro-skills of counselling including attending behaviour, questioning, paraphrasing, summarizing and reflection of behaviour, thoughts and feelings.
