BIRLA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE, Pilani

Pilani Campus
AUGS/ AGSR Division

SECOND SEMESTER 2023-24

COURSE HANDOUT

In addition to part I (General Handout for all courses appended to the Time table) this portion gives further
specific details regarding the course.
Course No : GS F 232
Course Title : Introductory Psychology
Instructor-in-Charge : Tanu Shukla
Instructor(s) :
Tutorial/Practical Instructors:
1. Course Description: The development of psychology as a science – individual and the environment;
Nature, kinds and determinants of Perception; Biological bases of behavior; Consciousness; Motivation;
Emotion; Modification of behavior through learning; Memory and forgetting; Thought processes, Problem
solving and Creative thinking; Individual differences – Intelligence, Gender, Personality, Stress and coping;
and Social thought and Social Behavior.

2. Scope and Objective of the Course: To develop a conceptual framework for understanding the human
behavior; relevance of psychology in daily life and its application in social, educational, industrial, personal
and other spheres.

3. Text Books:

T1. Robert A. Baron, “Psychology”, Revised 5th Edition, Pearson, 2009

4. Reference Books:
R1. Ceccarelli & Meyer, Psychology, South Asian Edition, Pearson Longman, 2006

R2. A. K. Singh, “Tests, Measurements and Research Methods in Behavioural Sciences”, Revised 4th
Edition, Bharati Bhawan, 2009

5. Course Plan:
Modul Lecture Session Reference Learning outcomes
e No.
1 Psychology : A Science & Perspective T1: Chapter Conceptual understanding of
1 Psychology and its
Modern Psychology: Definition, Origin, application.
Classical Studies, Issues and Perspectives, Familiarity with the major
Trends, Psychology in India, Overview of approaches, fields and
Research Methods in Psychology sub-fields of psychology
2 Biological Bases of Behavior T1: Chapter Describing the basic
2 structure and function of the
Nervous System: Neurons as Building nervous system and the
Blocks, Basic Structure and Functions, The (40- 81) connection between the brain
Brain; The Brain and Human Behavior; and human behavior
Heredity and Behavior: Genetics &
Evolutionary Psychology
1
 BIRLA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE, Pilani
Pilani Campus
AUGS/ AGSR Division

Explaining how nature,

nurture and epigenetics
influence behavior.
3 Sensation & Perception: Making Contact T1: Chapter Understanding concept of
with the World around us 3 sensation and perception
Sensation: The Raw Materials for (82- 127) Exploring the basics of
Understanding; Vision; Hearing; Touch, vision, hearing and tactial
Smell and Taste; Perception; The Plasticity of sensations.
Perception, Extrasensory Perception
T1: Chapter
Cognition: Thinking, Deciding & 7
Communicating Knowledge of human
(246- 283) thought processes
Thinking: Forming Concepts and Reasoning
to Conclusions; Making decisions; Problem Insights into problem solving
Solving; Language: The Communication of strategies
Information

4 Learning: How we’re changed by T1: Chapter Critical reflection on various

Experience 5 (166- 207) theories of learning.
Learning: Classical Conditioning, Operant
Conditioning, Observational Learning, Social
Cognitive Learning Theories

5 Memory: Of Things Remembered and T1: Chapter Conceptual understanding of

Forgotten 6 memory, types and its
application.
Human Memory; Kinds of Information (208- 245)
Stored in Memory, Forgetting, Memory Critical reflection on various
Distortion and Memory Construction, theories of memory.
Memory in Everyday Life; Memory & Brain
Application of memory
enhancing strategies and
methods

6 Motivation T1: Chapter Understanding of various

10 determinants of motivation.
Motivation; Theories of Motivation; Motives
& Motivation- Hunger, Aggression, (368- 395) Self-inquiry and assessment
Achievement; Extrinsic and Intrinsic of one’s own motivation and
Motivation performance.

7 Emotions T1: Chapter Drawing upon current

10 theories of emotion to
Emotions: Their Nature, Expression & Impact explain the nature of
(395 behavior, emotion, and
mental processes

2
 BIRLA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE, Pilani
Pilani Campus
AUGS/ AGSR Division

8 Intelligence: Cognitive, Practical, T1: Chapter Identify, describe, and

Emotional 11 classify the major theoretical
perspectives and key
Intelligence: Contrasting Views of its nature; (410- 447) concepts
Measuring Intelligence; Human Intelligence:
Role of Heredity and Environment; Group Strategies to increase
Differences in Intelligence; Emotional emotional intelligence
Intelligence : The Feeling Side of
Intelligence; Creativity: Generating the Extra
ordinary

9 Personality: Uniqueness and Consistency T1: Chapter Conceptual familiarity and

in the behaviour of Individuals 12 critical reflections on various
theories of personality.
Personality: What is it?; The Psychoanalytic (448-487)
Approach; Humanistic Theories, Trait
Theories; Learning Approaches to
Personality; Measuring Modern Research on
Personality: Applications to Personal Health
and Behavior in Work

10 Health, Stress & Coping T1: Chapter Conceptual understanding of

13 the concepts
Health Psychology; Stress- Causes, Effects
and Control; Understanding and (488- 503; Ability to identify everyday
Communication our Health Needs; 521- 529) stressors and coping
Behavioural and Psychological Correlates of mechanisms.
Illness; Promoting Wellness: Developing a T1: Chapter
Healthier Lifestyle 13 Knowledge of negative
physiological responses to
( 504- 520) stress

11 Social Thought & Social Behaviour T1: Chapter Recognize the aspects of
16 social psychology,
Social Thought- Social Perception, attributions.
Attribution, Social Cognition, Attitudes; (616- 658)
Social Behavior- Prejudice & Discrimination, Critical reflections on
Social Influence, Attraction & Love, psychological experiments in
Leadership social psychology
Students will recognize,
understand, and respect the
complexity of sociocultural
and individual differences

3
 BIRLA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE, Pilani
Pilani Campus
AUGS/ AGSR Division

12 Research Methods in Psychology T1: Chapter Describe and apply scientific

1 method to psychology
Psychology & the Scientific Method;
Research Methods in Psychology- (19- 34) Understanding of the basic
Observation, Correlation, Experimentation elements of a statistical
Method; Issues in Psychological Research investigations and research
methods
Ability to interpret, design,
and conduct basic
psychological research

RA^: Reading Assignment

Reading Assignment:

Specific portions from different Chapters will be given as reading assignments in the class.

6. Evaluation Scheme:
Component Duration Weightage Date & Time
(%)
Test 1 30 mins 15
Mid Semester Test 90 mins 30 -
Test 2/ Assignment 30 mins 15 -
Comprehensive Examination 180 mins 40 As announced in the Timetable

7. Notices: Notices will be uploaded on Nalanda

8. Note:
● Students are expected to read newspapers, magazines, journals etc. and collect the relevant articles
for relating the concepts of psychology learnt.
● Journals to consult: American Psychologist (by APA), Psychological Studies, Psychological Bulletin

Instructor-in-charge
Course No. : GS F232