REPORT OF GUEST TALK

 

The Department of Social Sciences and Humanities, Institute of Management and Commerce, Srinivas University, organized a Guest Talk on the topic “Conflict – Meaning, Types, Coping Strategies, and Defence Mechanisms” on 17th February 2026 at Srinivas University, Mukka Campus. The programme was conducted under the guidance of Dr. Venkatesh S. Amin, Dean, Institute of Management and Commerce, and Prof. Joyson Prenky Cardoza, Head, Department of Social Sciences and Humanities. The resource person for the session was Prof. Prakruti S. Shetty, Assistant Professor, Institute of Management and Commerce, Srinivas University. The session aimed to enhance students’ understanding of conflict, its types, coping strategies, and defence mechanisms in human behaviour and daily life. The resource person began the session by explaining the concept and meaning of conflict and its significance in human life, mental health, and social interaction. She elaborated on the different types of conflict, including intrapersonal, interpersonal, and group conflict, highlighting how conflicts arise due to differences in values, beliefs, needs, and expectations. Further, the speaker discussed various coping strategies used to manage conflict effectively. She emphasized the importance of emotional regulation, problem-solving skills, communication, and stress management in resolving conflicts in personal and professional settings. She also explained how healthy coping mechanisms contribute to better mental well-being and interpersonal relationships. The session also focused on defence mechanisms and their psychological importance. The resource person explained different types of defence mechanisms such as repression, denial, projection, rationalization, and displacement, and how individuals unconsciously use them to reduce anxiety and protect their ego during stressful situations. Relevant examples were provided to help students understand the practical application of these concepts in real-life situations. The session was highly informative and interactive, enabling students to connect theoretical concepts of conflict and coping with real-life experiences and professional social work practice. The programme was graced by the presence of Dr. Laveena Dmello, Professor; Dr. Stutima Bassista, Assistant Professor; and Prof. Ranjith Bhat, Assistant Professor, Department of Social Sciences and Humanities, Srinivas University. The guest talk was organized as part of the Guest Talk Series for the academic year, and first-year MSW students actively participated in the programme. The session was well appreciated by the students as it provided valuable academic insights into conflict management, coping strategies, and defence mechanisms relevant to their course of study. The programme concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, followed by a vote of thanks. The Department expressed its sincere gratitude to the resource person and all the participants for making the session insightful and successful.