Course Description & Objectives:

The course is aimed to instill knowledge of the basic assumptions, concepts, and current research in major theories of Psychology. This course is seminar-based and not lecture-based. Some introductory lectures will be delivered. The students are supposed to present seminars on assigned theories. The learning and critical evaluation skills will be developed through discussions and presentations.  The main objective of this course is to understand and then apply theories of psychology in any of the social setup and to design a theory-based research plan. This seminar provides readings and discussion of special topics areas of psychology. The course draws on primary sources of classic and contemporary theory and research and focuses on examining human behavior development as per the different theoretical concepts. Through extensive reading and discussion of the classic and current literature, students in this seminar-based course become familiar with the current state of contemporary and classical theories and research in the area’s human behaviors, mind, mental processes and develop proposals (based on theories) for how the research might advance.

Learning Objectives

• This seminar is organized around presentations of individual research projects, emphasizing detailed critique of project designs, findings, and conclusions.
• Students also review reports of empirical theory based-research written by other students in the seminar to develop their skills in both writing and critiquing research reports.

Contents

1. What is a theory? Theory construction in psychology
2. Characteristics of good theory
3. Role of theory in research
4. How to prepare a theory-based Research Proposal?
5. Introduction of significant theories in psychology
6. Psychoanalytic theory and its implications
7. Behavioral theory, Humanistic Theory, Cognitive Theory
8. Approaches to psychology
9. Seminars on psychology theories
10. Social Cognitive Theory of Bandura
11. Impression Management Theory
12. Personal Construct Theory
13. Cognitive load theory
14. Moral Development Theory
15. Multiple Intelligence Theory
16. Choice Theory
17. Cognitive Development Theory of Vygotsky; Path-Goal Theory
18. Cognitive Dissonance Theory
19. Need Theory of Murray
20. Social Exchange Theory
21. Persona Environment Theory
22. Protection Motivation Theory
23. Attachment Theory
24. Health Belief Model
25. Self-determination theory
26. Dual aspect theory
27. Rollo May theory of existentialism
28. Terror management theory
29. Schema mode model based on schema theory,
30. Presentations of research proposal developed on psychology theories

Reading Material

 Students will develop a list of books and internet resources accordingly.

Week Plan