INSTITUTE OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

College of Economics and Social Development

Introduction to Psychology: SSC 101
Aims
This is an introductory course designed to introduce the field of psychology. The textbook, class
sessions, and discussions will uncover basic, introductory terms, concepts, principles and
theories related to the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. The scientific study of
psychology introduces students to understand and apply to solve the problems of such diverse
and vital areas as organizational behavior, business, environment, education, industry, human
resource management, consumer behavior, marketing management, advertising, and
management in general.

Intended learning outcomes of course (ILOs)

 Demonstrate foundational knowledge in psychology (concepts, theories, research
methods; assessed with quizzes, assignments, and tests.
 Articulate the interactions of biological, cognitive, emotional, social and situational
factors as they influence a range of human behavior assessed with tests and discussions.
 Compare and contrast psychological theories with each other and assessed with tests

Knowledge and understanding

 Students will have an understanding of the basic dynamics of behavior and understanding
of human nature and improve your interactions with other people.
 Students will acquire a basic understanding of historically and currently important theories in
psychology, and an increased ability to think critically about them.
 Students will gain a basic understanding of the use of the scientific method in historical and
current psychological investigations.

Intellectual skills
 This course will help them to understand and apply the use of psychological principles in
learning and dealing with human behavior.
 Students will be exposed to an overview of major findings and current thinking about a broad
range of topics in Psychology.

Professional and practical skills

 This course will facilitate students to have a deeper understanding of their own selves and
develop ability to understand behavior through non-verbal and verbal body language. How
to work in groups and support each other and develop leadership ability.
 Students will acquire basic tools for becoming critical consumers of psychological research as
well as psychological information presented in the popular media.
General and transferable skills

 Student will learn how to improve their learning ability and time management. Problem
solving skills of human nature.

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Session Topics/Contents, Intended Learning Outcomes and Methodology

1&2 Class and course introductions.

General Introduction to Psychology
Introduction to Psychology

Intended Learning Outcomes

1. Define psychology and understanding of applied psychology.
2. Explain the goals of psychology, and identify the five main goals of
psychology.
Methodology
 Input session
 Practical exercises
Discussion to evaluate problems

2&3 Topic/ Course contents

Introduction to Psychology

Intended Learning Outcomes

1. Identify the major trends in the development of psychology
2. History of Psychology
3. Discuss the rise of psychology as a science

Methodology
 Input session
 Practical exercises
 Discussion to evaluate problems
4 Topic/ Course contents
INTRODUCTION - Research Methods in Psychology

Intended Learning Outcomes

1. Describe the following research methods used in psychology
a) Naturalistic observation
b) Experimental method
c) Survey and interview
d) Case study and focus group
e) Meta analysis
Methodology
 Input session
 Practical exercises
 Discussion to evaluate problems
5&6 Topic/ Course contents
Development

Intended Learning Outcomes

1. Describe the nature vs. nurture controversy
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 2. Explain Piaget’s theory of cognitive development
3. Explain Vygotschy’s theory of cognitive development
4. Elucidate Erickson’s theory of psychosocial development.
5. Explain the Kohlberg’s theory of moral development
Methodology
 Lecture with discussion
 Practical exercises
 Videos
6&7 Topic/ Course contents
Personality

Intended Learning Outcomes

1. Describe term personality and different ways to assess personality for
recruitment of employees.
2. Explain psychodynamic, behaviorist, humanistic, and trait view of personality.

Methodology
 Lecture with discussion
 Case study
 Role-plays
9 & 10 1st Mid Term Exam

Students will be tested on their conceptual and applicative grasp of the psychology
taught so far. The one hour test may be in three parts: part A for conceptual
questions and answers, Part B for long question and answer and part C for short
questions and answers covering everything covered on the course till now.

11 Topic/ Course contents

Learning & Behavior

Intended Learning Outcomes

1. Define Classical Conditioning.
2. Outline the key elements in classical conditioning.
3. Explain practical examples of classical conditioning.
4. Define operant conditioning.
5. Outline key elements of operant conditioning and its practical application in
behavior modification.
Methodology
 Lecture with discussion
 Practical exercises
 Input session
12 Topic/ Course contents
Learning and Behavior

Intended Learning Outcomes

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 1. Define the cognitive learning.
2. Describe the practical application of cognitive learning.
3. Define the observational learning.
4. List and define four key elements in observational learning
5. Elucidate practical application of observation learning in behavior
modification.
Methodology
 Lecture with discussion
 Case Study
 Practical exercises
13 Topic/ Course contents
Memory

Intended Learning Outcomes

1. Define the three main stages of memory, and types of memory.
2. Explain sensory, short term, and long term memory.
3. Discuss how we forget information and remembering processes

Methodology
 Lecture with discussion
 Practical exercise

14 Topic/ Course contents

Intelligence and its Assessment

Intended Learning Outcomes

 Explain the origin of intelligence testing
 Describe term IQ and the ways of assessing intelligence
 Discuss major theories of intelligence

Methodology
 Lecture with discussion
 Practical exercises

15 Topic/ Course contents

Sensation & Perception and State of Consciousness

Learning Objectives
1. Define the sensory processing.
2. Explain audition and vision.
3. Describe attention processes.
4. Explain organizational processes in perception.
5. Describe recognition and identification processes.

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 Methodology
 Lecture with discussion
 Practical exercises

16 & 17 2nd Midterm Exam

A one hour test on answers to applicative psychology covered after the 1st midterm
exam.
18 Topic/ Course contents
Motivation and Emotion

Intended Learning Outcomes

1. Define motives and the types of motives (primary, secondary, and
general).
2. Describe different theories of motivation.
3. How to motivate workers at workplace.

Methodology
 Lecture with discussion
 Case study
 Practical exercises
19 Topic/ Course contents
Motivation and Emotion

Intended Learning Outcomes

1. Explain theories of emotions.

2. Describe the functions of emotions.
3. Explain cultural differences in understanding emotions.

Methodology
 Lecture with discussion
 Case study
 Practical exercises
20 Topic/ Course contents
Stress, Health, and Coping

Intended Learning Outcomes

1. Explain life style choices and consequences.
2. Differentiate between healthy and unhealthy life style.
3. Describe stress causes and its physical, psychological, and emotional
effects.
4. Elucidate different coping strategies used to reduced stress.

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 Methodology
 Lecture with discussion
 Practical exercise
 Case Study

25 Topic/ Course contents

Social Psychology

Intended Learning Outcomes

1. Explain social cognition.
2. How attitudes formed.
3. Discuss the prejudice & discrimination and how it can be reduced.
4. Discuss social influence and group behavior.
Methodology
 Lecture with discussion
 Practical exercises
 Case study
26 Topic/ Course contents
Applied Social Psychology

Intended Learning Outcomes

1. How to apply principles of social psychology to workplace.
2. How to cope up with stress at workplace.
3. What are the different factors contributes to job satisfaction of employees.
4. Explain citizenship behavior: pro-social behavior at work
5. Describe different leadership styles and how leadership patterns of influence
group behavior.

Methodology
 Practical exercise
 Case study

27-28 Term Research Project presentations:

Students will present the term project

29-30 Final Exam

Assessment

Assessment Methods Objectives to Week Weight age

Assess
1 Quizzes Knowledge and 10, 20, 10%
understanding & 24
2 Class Tutorials/discussions Intellectual and All 05%
analytical skills
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 3 Semester-Long Experiential Learning Research Project Intellectual, 7 to 14 15%
analytical,
An effective way to help students learn about the human professional and
behavior is the term research Project. practical skills

The class will be divided into different groups (five student’s

maximum per group), each group will decide by their own on
a different topics of psychology. At the end of the semester,
each group is to present their research project to the class.

The Project Report consist of:

 Executive Summary
 Introduction
 Methodology
 Sample
 Measure
 Procedure
 Results
 Discussion
 Conclusion
 References
4 1st Mid Term test Knowledge and 6 15%
understanding
5 2nd Mid Term test Professional 11 15%
skills
7 Final exam Professional 16 40%
skills
Total: 100%
All assignments, projects and reports should go through Turnitin. Please ensure that similarity
index does not exceed 19%.

Rubrics for Theoretical Questions

Levels of Achievements
Criteria Exemplary Proficient Marginal Unacceptable
4 3 2 1
Conceptual Demonstrates a Demonstrates Demonstrates Demonstrates a
Understanding clear and deep clear limited/surface superficial
understanding of understanding of understanding of understanding of
the theory. the ideas the theory. the theory.
presented in the
theory.
Identifies Demonstrates a Demonstrates Demonstrates Demonstrates
Issues/Problems clear and deep deep limited/surface superficial
understanding of understanding of understanding of understanding of
an issue/problem an issue/problem an issue/problem an issue/problem
in the question. in the question. in the question. in the question.
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Connections: Makes appropriate, Makes appropriate Makes Makes little or no
Theory and insightful and and insightful appropriate but connection
Practice powerful connections somewhat vague between the
connections between the issue/ connections issue/problem and
between the problem and the between the the theory.
issue/problem and theory. issue/problem
the theory. and the theory.
Referenced Accurately and Accurately Limited Integrates few or
Sources precisely integrates integrates integration of the no concepts from
conceptual material conceptual conceptual the chapter.
from the text. material from the material from the
Uses specific text. text. Very limited use
concepts and terms Limited use of of concept and
extensively. Specifically uses concepts and terms from the
some concepts terms from the theory.
and terms. theory.
Recommendations Makes realistic, Makes realistic and Makes realistic or Makes realistic or
appropriate and appropriate appropriate appropriate
insightful recommendations recommendations recommendations
recommendations clearly supported supported by the with limited
clearly supported by the information information support from the
by the information presented and the presented and the information
presented and the theory from the theory from the presented and the
theory. content taught. content taught. theory from the
chapter.
Writing Skills Writing is totally There are There are more Spelling errors are
free of grammar occasional spelling than occasional frequent.
and spelling errors. errors. spelling errors.
Clear and concise
presentation of Most ideas are Hard to follow the
ideas. Clear presentation presented clearly. ideas.
of ideas.
Facilities required for teaching and learning

 PC with color printer with instructor

 Classroom multimedia with full sound system
 Classroom overhead projector
 Panoramic whiteboard across front class wall
 Access to a corporation for the term research project

Essential Reading

1. Lahey, B. (2004). Psychology: A n Introduction. (8th Ed).Boston: McGraw-Hill

2. Myers, D. (2004) Psychology (8th Ed). New York: Worth.

Recommended Reading

Page 8 of 9
1. Feldman, R. (1999). Understanding Psychology (5th Ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.
2. Weiten, W. (2005) Psychology: Themes & Variation (6th Ed), Belmont, CA:
Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.

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