Academic Council 25/05/2011
Item No. 4.70
UNIVERSITY OF MUMBAI
Syllabus for the F.Y.B.Sc.
Program: B.Sc.
Course : Psychology
(Credit Based Semester and Grading System)
Introduced with effect from academic year 2011-12
Preamble
Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour and mental processes. It is based on
research and evidence gathered from observation, experimentation and
measurement and differs from the ‘pop psych’ found in self-help books,
graphology, numerology, astrology which also try to explain people’s problems and
aim to predict behaviour and offer solutions.
Psychologists focus on describing, understanding, explaining, predicting and
modifying behaviour and mental processes as well as on helping people understand
themselves and others, so that they bring about change and improve the quality of
life for themselves as well as those around them.
Psychology is one of the fastest growing disciplines with developments in
information technology, artificial intelligence, brain imaging, molecular biology
and neuroscience making it even more multidisciplinary, challenging, and exciting,
than ever before.
The two courses per semester have been designed keeping this in mind, so that
students get a broad understanding of the vast scope of Psychology.
F.Y.B.Sc. Psychology Syllabus
Restructured for Credit Based and Grading System
To be implemented from the Academic year 2011-2012
Semester I
Course Code Title Credits
USPS101 Fundamentals of Psychology 2 Credits (45 lectures)
Objectives: -
1. To impart knowledge of some of the basic concepts and modern trends in Psychology
2. To foster interest in the subject of Psychology and to create a foundation for further studies in
Psychology
Unit I : The Science of Psychology 15
a) What is Psychology? Lectures
b) Psychology Then: The History of Psychology
c) Classic studies in Psychology
d) Psychology Now: Modern Perspectives
e) Types of Psychological Professions
f) Psychology: The Science
g) Classic studies in Psychology
h) Ethics of Psychological Research
i) Critical Thinking
j) Applying Psychology to everyday life: Using critical thinking
Unit II : The Biological Perspective 15
a) An Overview of the Nervous System:Neurons and Nerves:Building the Network Lectures
b) The Central Nervous System – The Central Processing Unit
c) Psychology in the News
d) The Peripheral Nervous System – Nerves on the Edge
e) Peeking Inside the brain
f) From the Bottom up: The Structures of the Brain
g) Classic studies in psychology
h) The Chemical Connection: The Endocrine Glands
i) Applying Psychology to Everyday Life: Differences between Male and
Female Brains
Unit III : The Biological Perspective 15
a) Approaches to Understanding Motivation Lectures
b) What? Hungry again? Why people eat
c) Psychology in the News
d) Emotion
e) Classic studies in psychology
f) Applying Psychology to Everyday life: A How to of Happiness
a) Brains
Topics for Assignment of 10 marks - Sensation and Perception
a) The ABCs of Sensation
b) The Science of Seeing
c) The Hearing Sense: Can You Hear Me Now?
d) Psychology in the News
e) Chemical Senses: It Tastes Good But It Smells Terrible
f) Somesthetic Senses: The Body Knows
g) The ABCs of Perception
h) Classic studies in Psychology
i) Applying Psychology to Everyday like: Thinking critically about ESP
Course Code Title Credits
USPS102 Fundamental Psychological processes 2 Credits (45 lectures )
Objectives: -
1. To impart knowledge of some of the basic Psychological processes in Psychology
2. To foster interest in the subject of Psychology and to create a foundation for further studies
in Psychology
Unit I : Learning
a) Definition of Learning
b) It Makes Your Mouth Water: Classical Conditioning
c) What’s In It for Me? Operant Conditioning
d) Classical studies in Psychology
15 Lectures
e) Psychology in the News
f) Cognitive Learning Theory
g) Observational Learning
h) Applying Psychology to Everyday Life: Can You Really Toilet Train
Your Cat?
Unit II : Memory
a) Models of Memory
b) The Information Processing Model: Three Stages Of Memory
c) Getting It Out: Retrieval of Long Term Memories
d) Classic studies in Psychology
e) The Reconstructive Nature of Long Term Memory Retrieval: How 15 Lectures
Reliable Are Memories
f) What Were We Talking About? Forgetting
g) Memory and the Brain: The Physical Aspects of Memory
h) Applying Psychology to Everyday Life: Current Research in
Alzheimer’s Disease
Unit III : Cognition: Thinking, Intelligence, and Language
a) How People Think
b) Psychology in the News
c) Intelligence
15 Lectures
d) Classic studies in Psychology
e) Language
f) Applying Psychology to Everyday life: Mental Exercises For Better
Cognitive Health
Topics for Assignment of 10 marks -
Consciousness: Sleep: Dreams. Hypnosis and Drugs
a) What is Consciousness?
b) Altered States Of Consciousness: Sleep
c) Classic studies in Psychology
d) Psychology in the News
e) Dreams
f) Altered States: Hypnosis
g) Altered States: Psychoactive Drugs
h) Applying Psychology to Everyday life: Are you Sleep Deprived
Semester II
Course Code Title Credits
USPS201 Fields of Psychology 2 Credits (45 lectures)
Objectives: -
1. To introduce the students to some fields of Psychology and to make them aware of the
applications of concepts in them
2. To foster interest in the fields of Psychology and to create a foundation for further studies in them
Unit I : Development across the Life Span 15
a) Issues in Studying Human Development Lectures
b) Prenatal Development
c) Psychology in the News
d) Infancy and Childhood Development
e) Current Issues in Psychology
f) Classic Studies in Psychology
g) Adolescence
h) Adulthood
i) Applying Psychology to Everyday Life: ADHD – Not Just For Children
Unit II : Social Psychology 15
a) Social Influence: Conformity, Compliance and Obedience Lectures
b) Attitudes
c) Impression Formation and Attribution
d) Prejudice and Discrimination
e) Classic Studies in Psychology
f) Liking and Loving: Interpersonal Attraction
g) Aggression and Prosocial behaviour
h) Classic Studies in Psychology
i) Applying Studies to Everyday Life: Anatomy of a Cult
Unit III : Overview of Theories of Personality 15
a) Theories of Personality Lectures
b) The Man and the Couch: Sigmund Freud and Psychoanalysis
c) The Behaviourist’s View of Personality
d) The Social Cognitive View of Personality
e) The Third Force: Humanism and Personality
f) Trait Theories: Who are You?
g) The Biology of Personality: Behavioural genetics
h) Classic studies in Psychology
i) Assessment of Personality
j) Applying Psychology to Everyday Life: Personality Testing on the Internet
Topics for Assignment of 10 marks -
1. Applied Psychology and Psychology Careers –
a) What is Applied Psychology?
b) Psychology as a Career
c) Psychology and Health, Education, Sports, Law, and the Environment
d) Psychology and Work
e) Applying Psychology to Everyday Life: Techniques Used By Sports Psychologists
2. Psychology in India
a) The history of Psychology in India
b) Current trends in the field
c) Applications of Psychology
d) Indian Psychologists and their contributions
e) Indian institutions and NGOs related to Psychology
f) Misconceptions about Psychology and Psychologists
g) Educational and career options for graduates and post-graduates in Psychology
Course Code Title Credits
USPS202 Psychological health 2 Credits (45 lectures)
Objectives: -
1. To impart knowledge of the basic concepts related to Psychological health and to make them
aware of their applications in everyday life
2. To foster interest in the subject of Psychological health and to create a foundation for further
studies in it
Unit I : Stress and Health 15
a) Stress Lectures
b) Current Issues in Psychology
c) Factors in the Stress Reaction
d) Coping with Stress
e) Applying Psychology to Everyday Life: Focus on Wellness
Unit II : Psychological Disorders 15
a) What is Abnormality? Lectures
b) Models of Abnormality
c) Current Issues in Psychology
d) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Version IV, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR)
e) Anxiety Disorders: What, Me Worry?
f) Somatoform Disorders: Sickness as a State of Mind
g) Disassociative Disorders: Altered Consciousness
h) Current Issues in psychology
i) Mood Disorders: The Effect of Affect
j) Schizophrenia: Altered Reality
k) Personality Disorders: I’m Okay, It’s Everyone Else Who’s Weird
l) Applying Psychology to Everyday Life: Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Unit III : Psychological Therapies 15
a) Two Kinds of Therapy Lectures
b) The Early Days of Therapy: Ice Water Baths and Electric Shocks
c) In the Beginning: Psychoanalysis
d) Humanistic therapy: To Err is Human
e) Behaviour Therapies: Learning One’s Way To Better Behavior
f) Cognitive Therapies: Thinking Is Believing
g) Group therapies: Not For The Shy
h) Current Issues in Psychology: Does Psychotherapy Really Work?
i) Biomedical Therapies
j) Applying Psychology to Everyday Life: Should Anti-Depressants Be
Prescribed For Children And Adolescents?
Topics for Assignment of 10 marks -
Sexuality and Gender
a) The Physical Side of Human Sexuality
b) The Psychological Side of Human Sexuality: Gender
c) Current Issues in Psychology
d) Human Sexual Behavior
e) Classic studies in Psychology
f) Sexual Dysfunctions
g) Sexually Transmitted Diseases
h) Applying Psychology to Everyday Life: How To Protect Yourself From Sexually Transmitted
Diseases
Book for Study for all 4 Courses in Semesters I and II
Ciccarelli, S. K. & Meyer, G. E. (2008). Psychology. (Indian sub-continent
adaptation). New Delhi: Dorling Kindersley (India) pvt ltd.
Important Note -
In order to enrich learning, the contents of the CD ‘Live!Psych’ that accompanies the
Book for Study (interactive media simulations, animations and experiments) should be
integrated with teaching through demonstrations and discussions.
Books for Reference for Courses in Semesters I and II
1. Aamodt, M.G. (2004). Applied Industrial/Organizational Psychology. (4th ed).
Wadsworth/ Thomson Learning
2. Bam, B. P. (2008). Winning Habits: Techniques for Excellence in Sports. New
Delhi: Pearson Power, Dorling Kindersley India pvt ltd
3. Barlow, D.H., & Durand, V.M. (2005). Abnormal Psychology: An Integrative
Approach. (4th ed.). New Delhi: Wadsworth Cengage Learning
4. Baron, R. A., Branscombe, N. R., & Byrne, D. Bhardwaj, G. (2008).
Social Psychology. (12th ed.). New Delhi: Pearson Education, Indian
subcontinent adaptation 2009
5. Baron, R. A., & Kalsher, M. J. (2008). Psychology: From Science to Practice. (2nd
ed.). Pearson Education inc., Allyn and Bacon
6. Brannon, L. & Feist, J. (2007). Introduction to Health Psychology. New Delhi:
Wadsworth Thomson Learning. First Indian reprint 2007
7. Carson, R. C., Butcher, J. N., Mineka, S., & Hooley, J. M. (2007). Abnormal
Psychology. (13th ed.). Indian reprint 2009 by Dorling Kindersley, New Delhi
8. Ciccarelli, S. K. & Meyer, G. E. (2006). Psychology. Pearson Education inc. and
Dorling Kindersley Publishing inc. New Delhi; first Indian reprint 2007
9. Coon, D., & Mitterer, J. O. (2007). Introduction to Psychology: Gateways to Mind
and Behaviour. (11th ed.) Wadsworth/Thomson Learning Publications, New Delhi;
first Indian reprint 2007
10. Feldman, R. S. (2008). Understanding Psychology. (8th ed.). McGraw- Hill
Publications, New York
11. Feldman, R. S. (2009). Discovering the Life Span. Pearson Prentice Hall, Indian
reprint
12. Galotti, K.M. (2008). Cognitive Psychology: Perception, Attention, and Memory.
Wadsworth New Delhi: Cengage Learning
13. Gladding, S. T. (2009). Counseling: A Comprehensive Profession. (6th Ed.).
Pearson Education. New Delhi: Indian edition by Dorling Kindersley India pvt ltd.
14. Greenberg, J. S. (2008). Comprehensive Stress Management. (10th ed). New York:
McGraw Hill publications
15. Hariharan, M., & Rath, R. (2008). Coping with Life Stress: The Indian Experience.
New Delhi: Sage publications India pvt ltd
16. Helgeson, V. S. (2005). Psychology of Gender. (2nd ed). New Delhi: Pearson
Education. First Indian reprint 2006
17. Joshi, S. R., & Prasad, K. (2009). (Eds). Feminist Development Communication:
Empowering Women in the Information Era. New Delhi: The Women Press
18. Kalat, J. W. (2005). Introduction to Psychology. (7th ed.). Wadsworth- Thomson
Learning Publications, Belmont, USA.
19. Lahey, B. B. (2007). Psychology: An Introduction. (9th ed.). McGraw- Hill
Publications, New York
20. Passer, M. W., & Smith, R. E. (2007). Psychology: The Science of Mind and
Behaviour. (3rd ed.) McGraw- Hill Publications, International edition, New York
21. Schultz, D., & Schultz, S. E. (2010). Psychology and Work Today.( 10th ed.).
Pearson Prentice Hall
22. Wade, C. & Tavris, C. (2006). Psychology. (8th ed.). Pearson Education inc.,
Indian reprint by Dorling Kindersley, New Delhi
23. Weiten, W. & Lloyd, M.A. (2006). Psychology Applied to Modern Life -
Adjustment in the 21st century. (8th ed.) Cengage Learning India
24. Welfel, E. R., & Patterson, L. E. (2005). The Counseling Process: A Multi-
theoretical Integrative Approach. (6th ed.). Thomson Brooks/ Cole
25. Wilson, E. (2007). Stress Proof Your Life: 52 Brilliant Ideas for Taking Control.
New Delhi: Pearson Power
26. Wood, S.E., Wood, E. G., & Boyd, D. (2008). The world of Psychology. (6th ed.).
Pearson Education inc., Allyn and Bacon
27. Zimbardo, P. G., Johnson, R. L., & Weber, A. N. (2008). Psychology: Core
Concepts. (5th ed.). Pearson Education inc., Allyn and Bacon
Psychology Core Courses at F.Y.B.Sc.
Pattern of Question Paper for Semester End Assessment
To be brought into force with effect from the academic year 2011-2012
Duration of examination = 2 hours Marks = 60 (per semester)
All 4 questions carry 15 marks and are compulsory.
Q. No. 1, 2, and 3 will be on the 3 units taught in the semester and each will have 2 parts,
A and B.
The A part in Questions 1, 2, and 3, carrying 5 marks, will be any of the following types –
i. Write a short note. (Any 1 out of 2)
ii. Explain the contributions made by or the theory given by the following. (Any 1 out
of 2 names)
iii. Discuss/Explain the following statements. (Any 1 out of 2 given statements which
will be in quotation marks ‘‘--------- ’’)
iv. Differentiate between …. and …… (Any 1 out of 2)
v. Describe any one research study that investigated the following principle/ concept/
phenomenon. (Any 1 out of 2)
vi. Explain the following with the help of a diagram/graph/flowchart. (Any 1 out of 2;
2 marks for diagram/graph/flowchart and 3 marks for the explanation)
The B part in Questions 1, 2, and 3, carrying 10 marks, will be any of the following types
i. Define the following terms. (Any 5 out of 6, each having 2 marks)
ii. Give reasons for the following. (Any 5 out of 6, each having 2 marks)
iii. State whether the following statements are True or False and give the reason why
True or False. (Any 5 out of 6, each having 2 marks)
Q. no. 4 will be based on all 3 units.
Explain the terms in brief. (Any 5 out of 7 terms, each having 3 marks; two terms each
from any 2 units and three terms from the remaining unit)
Thus, questions 1, 2, and 3 will be of 22 marks with options and Q. no. 4 will be of 21
marks with options.
Example 1 Marks Example 2 Marks
A. Explain contributions of A. Explain with diagram/
5 5
/ theory. (Any 1 out of 2) graph/flowchart (any 1 out of 2)
On
Q. 1 B. True or False with reason
unit 1 B. Give reasons (Any 5 out
10 (Any 5 out of 6, each having 2 10
of 6, each having 2 marks)
marks)
A. Write a short note. (Any A. Discuss/Explain the
5 5
1 out of 2) statement. (Any 1 out of 2)
On
Q. 2 B. True or False with
unit 2 B. Define the terms (Any 5 out
reasons (Any 5 out of 6, 10 10
of 6, each having 2 marks)
each having 2 marks)
A. Differentiate between. A. Describe research study.
5 5
(Any 1 out of 2) (Any 1 out of 2)
On
Q. 3 B. Define the terms (Any 5
unit 3 B. Give reasons (Any 5 out of 6,
out of 6, each having 2 10 10
each having 2 marks)
marks)
On Explain terms in brief. Explain terms in brief.
Q. 4 All 3 (Any 5 out of 7, each 15 (Any 5 out of 7, each having 3 15
units having 3 marks) marks)
Internal Assessment for 40 Marks
2 Class Tests per course in each semester (10 marks for each test)
There will be 2 class tests per course per semester, on any 2 units out of the 3 units for that
course, as decided and announced by the professor. Example –
Class Tests on units 1 and 2, or 1 and 3, or 2 and 3.
The tests can be conducted in the class, or if the technical facilities are available, they can
be conducted online.
Pattern of Question Paper for Class Tests –
Duration of examination = 45 minutes; Marks = 10
The questions can be any of the following types, according to suitability to the particular
unit and the need to vary the combination of unit and question each year.
i. Write short notes. (Any 2 out of 3, each having 5 marks)
ii. Explain the terms in brief. (Any 5 out of 7, each having 2 marks)
iii. Fill in the blanks (Any 10 out of 14, each having 1 mark)
iv. Multiple choice question, each item with 4 options (Any 10 out of 14, each having
1 mark)
Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4
Class test on Unit 1 Class test on Unit 2 Class test on Unit 3 Class test on Unit 2
(10 marks) (10 marks) (10 marks) (10 marks)
Write short notes. Explain the terms in Fill in the blanks Multiple choice
(Any 2 out of 3, each brief. (Any 10 out of 14, question
having 5 marks) (Any 5 out of 7, each each having 1 (Any 10 out of 14,
having 2 marks) mark) each having 1 mark)
Thus, the question for the class test will be of 14 or 15 marks with options.
Important note – The specific questions asked in Class Tests should not be repeated in
the Semester end examination.
Guidelines about conduct of Assignments:
One assignment of 10 marks per course in each Semester
The assignment should be based on any one of the sub-topics suggested for the course.
Assignments can be any of the following types –
1) Small survey using a questionnaire
2) Field visit/s to an Institute/NGO and report of the visit/s
3) Review of Literature
4) Book review
5) Case study
6) Preparation of charts/posters (educational aids), and class presentation/exhibition
7) Conduct a workshop for a small group
8) Conduct any 2 experiments using the CD ‘Live!Psych’ that accompanies the book
for study and write a report.
9) Interview an expert/professional in the field of Psychology
The written assignment to be submitted may be either typed or hand-written on A-4 Size
of paper. The Word limit is 750 to 1000 words and Page limit is 3 to 5 pages (excluding
the preliminary section of the assignment which may contain the Title page, Index,
Declaration, Acknowledgements, List of Tables and Figures if applicable, and the last
section which contains Bibliography and Appendix). Assignments of a very high quality
may be given a maximum of 9 marks out of 10.
10 marks per course per semester (5 + 5)
5 Marks for Active participation in class instructional deliveries and 5 Marks for Overall
conduct as a responsible student, mannerism and articulation and exhibit of leadership
qualities in organizing related academic activities
Some pointers for these 2 aspects are -
1. Punctuality and Regularity
2. Seriousness and sincerity of purpose
3. Submission of report of assignment on time
4. Initiatives taken for online or library reference beyond the Book for study
5. Volunteering for activities/programmes related to psychology
Example
i. Average/below average attendance and no classroom participation = 1 mark
ii. High attendance but no classroom participation = 2 marks
iii. High Attendance with occasional classroom participation (asking questions and/or
giving answers) = 3 marks
iv. High Attendance with regular classroom participation = 4 marks
v. High Attendance with effective classroom participation (interesting questions and
good answers, good contributions) or making a PowerPoint or oral presentation on
a sub-unit = 5 marks
Leadership qualities in organizing programmes/activities like –
1. Field trips
2. Film screening and discussion
3. Talk by guest speakers
4. Exhibition
5. Quiz or other competitions
6. Group guidance/awareness programmes
7. Skits or role plays on psychology-related units
8. Peer counselling or helping academically weaker students
Guidelines about conduct of Tutorials
The tutorials should be conducted in batches formed as per the University norms.
Tutorials may involve -
1. Experiments conducted on computer using the ‘Live!Psych’ CD that accompanies
the Book for Study
2. Demonstrations and exercises on the units taught
3. Administration of some simple Psychological scales/ Personality questionnaires
available online on the websites mentioned in the book for study or included in
some other books like ‘Comprehensive Stress Management’ by Greenberg (2008,
10th edition), ‘Psychology Applied to Modern Life: Adjustment in the 21st century’
(Weiten, & Lloyd, 2006, 8th edition), ‘Applied Industrial/ Organizational
Psychology’ (Aamodt, 2004), ‘Training Instruments in HRD and OD’ (Pareek,
2003)
4. Suitable statistical analysis of the scores obtained by students on the Psychological
scales/ Personality questionnaires (Frequency distribution, Measures of central
tendency – mean, median, mode, Measures of variability – range and SD,
correlation coefficient, z scores).
Participation of student in the tutorial sessions should also be monitored to help in
finalizing the marks for ‘Active participation in class instructional deliveries’.
