Course Description

The objective of this course is to provide students with an overview of the diverse field of psychology, and an appreciation of the way that behavior and mental processes can be studied scientifically. Attempts will be made throughout to relate the content of psychology to students' everyday experiences. The course will assist the student in the development of a foundation of basic knowledge of psychology. The course will survey introductory topics such as learning, memory, sensation and perception, personality, neurological basis of behavior, and research methods. Relevant case examples and stimulating learning activities will be employed to make the study of psychology come alive to help students better understand themselves and the people around them.

Course Objectives

• To ensure an effective orientation of students towards the discipline of psychology so that they may come to appreciate the diversity of the subject and its pragmatic significance.
• To make students familiar with the essentials features of human personality.
• To inculcate a sense of personal relevance of Psychology as a subject with the potential of gaining better insight into one’s own self and others.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of Introductory Psychology, students will have:

• An introductory knowledge of selected areas of basic psychological inquiry
• An ability to discuss different psychological topics
• Basic review skills in critically evaluating knowledge claims regarding psychological theory.
• Basic understanding of research methods in the discipline of Psychology
• An introductory knowledge about conventions for presenting written reports and essays that cover topics introduced within the syllabus.

Class Timings

The class for the regular semester will be held on every Wednesday (9:30 am to 11:00 am) and Thursday (11:00 am to 12:30 pm). For the self-support program, the class will be held on every Monday and Tuesday from 2:00 pm to 03:30 pm. Each class will be of 90 minutes. 

Course Contents

1. Introduction to Psychology

• Definition of psychology
• Goals of psychology
• Major schools of thought in psychology
• Major fields of psychology

2.   Basic research Methods in Psychology

• Survey research
• Experimental research
• Case study method

3. Biological Basis of Behavior

• Brain and nervous system
• Structure and function of major brain areas
• Neurotransmitters and their functions

4. Sensation &Perception 

• Difference between sensation and perception
• Principles of perception
• Role of perception in human cognition

5. Motivation and Emotion

• Concept of motivation and emotions
• Theories of motivation
• Theories of emotion

6.   Learning

• Definition of Learning
• Types of Learning
• Classical Conditioning     
• Operant Conditioning
• Observational Learning 

7. Memory& Intelligence

• Definition and stages of human memory
• Types of memory
• Concept of intelligence
• Basic theories of intelligence

8. Personality development

• Concept of personality
• Theories of personality development
• Tips to improve personality

​​Recommended Books

1. Weiten, W. (2017). Psychology: Themes and variations (10th ed.). Cengage Learning.
2. Kalat, J. W. (2013). Introduction to psychology (10th ed.). Cengage Learning.
3. Nolen-Hoeksema, S., Hilgard, E. R. (2014) Atkinson & Hilgard's Introduction to Psychology(16th ed.).Cengage Learning.ISBN: 8601200752540.

Suggested Readings

• Plotnik, R., &Kouyoumdjian, H. (2013). Introduction to psychology (10th ed.). Cengage Learning. ISBN-10: 1133939538.

• Flanagan, C., Berry, D., Jarvis, M. and Liddle, R. (2015). AQA psychology. Cheltenham: Illuminate Publishing.
• Collin, C. (2011). The psychology book. London: Dorling Kindersley.
• Colman, A. (2009). A dictionary of psychology. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Gross, R. (2015). Psychology: The Science of Mind and Behavior. (7th ed). Hodder Education.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

• Sessional: 20% 
• Midterm exam: 30% 
• Final exam: 50 %