The Faculty of Psychology at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), in collaboration with TVRI Yogyakarta, presents a weekly interactive talk show titled OPSI: Psychological Talk. The premiere episode aired on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, from 3:00 to 4:00 PM WIB, featuring the theme “Unveiling the Phenomenon of Brain Rot.”
This episode featured Mrs. Theresia Novi Poespita Candra, Ph.D., a lecturer from the Faculty of Psychology UGM, as the main speaker, with Ferry Anggara serving as the host. The discussion focused on the phenomenon of “Brain Rot,” a condition where the brain feels dull, unfocused, and experiences a decline in cognitive capacity due to excessive exposure to digital content and unhealthy mental lifestyle habits.
Mrs. Novi is a researcher specializing in lifespan development, educational psychology, school wellbeing, and social-emotional development and learning. Her research primarily explores how individuals grow and adapt through various life stages, including the influence of educational and social environments on psychological wellbeing. Additionally, Mrs. Novi founded the Gerakan Sekolah Menyenangkan (fun school movement), a grassroots initiative aimed at promoting humane educational transformation for all Indonesian children through a community-based approach.
With her expertise and experience, Mrs. Novi provides deep insights into the impact of brain rot on cognitive and emotional abilities, especially among the younger generation. In this conversation, she elaborated on what brain rot is, the symptoms that appear in daily life, and practical steps to maintain mental health amid the overwhelming digital information flood.
The OPSI: Psychological Talk program aims to discuss various aspects of mental health, social relationships, and psychological wellbeing in everyday life, particularly in today’s digital era. Through its interactive format, the program hopes to offer valuable insights and practical solutions to a broader audience.
Don’t miss other exciting episodes of OPSI: Psychological Talk! Watch the replays and keep following engaging discussions about psychology on the Kanal Pengetahuan Psikologi UGM Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@psikologi.ugm1965.