Chapter 1

Psychology: Definition, Scope, Application and Methods

1.1

Definitions With Explanations, Psychology As A Science Of Behavior

1.2

Scope-Past And Current Fields Of Psychology, Classification-Theoretical And Applied, Models And Perspective In Psychology

1.3

Aim And Objectives Of Psychology

1.4

Ethical Constraints And Limitations

1.5

Methods: Observation, Case Study, Survey, Interview, Experimental, Projective Techniques

1.6

Careers In Psychology

Chapter 2

Physiological Basis of Behavior: Nervous System

2.1

Neuron: Structure, Function And Types

2.2

Central Nervous System, Spinal Cord: Structure, Function, Reflex Action. Brain Stem, Medulla Oblongata, Thalamus, Hypothalamus, Pons, RAS

2.3

Cerebellum

2.4

Cerebrum: Lobes-Structure, Functions

2.5

Autonomic Nervous System: Sympathetic And Parasympathetic. Different Glands And Their Functions.

2.6

Applications Of The Study Brain-Behavior Relationship

2.7

Nutrition And The Brain

Chapter 3

Motivational Aspects of Behavior

3.1

Definition And Nature Of Motives, Motivational Cycle, Characteristics

3.2

Types: Physiological-Homeostasis, Hunger, Sleep, Temperature Manipulation, Affection, Exploratory.
Sociogenic: Affiliation(Dependency), Anger(Hostility), Security, Status(Power/Prestige), Achievement, Social Approval(Praise/Blame)
Unconscious: Sigmund Freud’s Motivated Forgetting, Hierarchy Of Motives-Maslow’s Hierarchy (7 Stages). Incentives- Definition, Types With Practical Examples

3.3

Learned Helplessness Theory, Set Point Theory

Chapter 4

Emotional Basis of Behavior

4.1

Definition, Nature, Relationship To Motivation, Functions Of Emotions-Energizing, Motivating, Activating Glands. Characteristics Of Emotions- Pleasant/Unpleasant

4.2

Physiological Changes In Emotions- GSR, Pupil Size, Change In Breathing Pattern, Blood Circulation, Blood Pressure, Digestion, Changes In Endocrine Functioning

4.3

Measurement Of Emotion- EEG, GSR, Lie Detector

4.4

Theories Of Emotions: James Langue, Cannon-Bard, Schacter-Singer, Psychobiological Theory By Jack Panksepp. Common Emotions Techniques Of Controlling Emotions

4.5

Structure Of Emotion- Plutchik Emotion Model, Fromme- Obrien Emotion Circle

Chapter 5

Attention and Perceptual Process

5.1

Attention: Nature-States Of Readiness, Selectivity, Definition. Types- Voluntary, Involuntary, Habitual, Determinants-Stimulus Determinants, Subject Determinants. Various Aspects Of Attention-Span Of Attention, Span Of Apprehension, Division Of Attention, Fluctuation Of Attention, Distraction

5.2

Perception: Nature And Definition, Perceptual Organization, Principles Of Perceptual Organization, Bottom Up-Top Down Processing

5.3

Characteristics Of Perception. Gestalt Theory

5.4

Errors In Perception- Geometrical, Non Geometrical

5.5

Abnormalities In Perceptions- Hallucination-Visual, Auditory. Perception And Mental Imagery

Chapter 6

Learning- Nature and Deifiniton, Characteristics of Learning

6.1

Theories Of Learning, Pavlov, Skinner, Thorndike, Kohler

6.2

Determinants Of Learning, Subjective And Objective Factors

6.3

Transfer Of Training, Types Of Transfer. Effective Study Methods- Whole V/S Part, Massed V/S Distributed, Reading V/S Recitation

6.4

Minimization Of Negative Transfer/S Maximization Of Positive Transfer. Cognitive Maps. Application Of Classical And Operant Conditioning

Chapter 7

Memory

7.1

Nature And Definition. Basic Process, Acquisition, Storage, Retrieval.

7.2

Types Of Memory: Short Term, Long Term, Tip Of The Tongue Phenomenon, Episodic, Flashbulb, Semantic, Measurement Of Memory- Recall Recognition, Relearning, Reconstruction, Forgetting Curve (Ebbinghaus).

7.3

Theories Of Forgetting- Neural Decay, Trace Distortion. Causes Of Forgetting: Storage Failure, Retrieval Failure. Interference: Pro-Active And Retro-Active Inhibition. Simple Techniques Of Improving Memory

7.4

Avoiding Shortcuts To Memory Improvement. Atkinson- Shiffrin’s Three System Memory Model. Brown-Peterson’s Paradigm Of STM

Chapter 8

Human Development

8.1

Nature Of Development, Definition.

8.2

Principles Of Development

8.3

Stages Of Development: Prenatal Stage, Neonatal Infancy, Early Childhood, Later Childhood, Adolescence, Youth- Adulthood, Old Age. Maturation And Learning

Chapter 9

Statistics in Psychology

9.1

Continuous And Discrete Series, Frequency Distribution, Histogram, Polygon, Pie Chart.

Chapter 10

Utility of Psychology in Daily Life

10.1

Application Of Psychological Research In Practice, In The Formation Of Social Policy

10.2

Management Of Stress- Definition, Ill- Effects Of Stress, Managing Stress, Time And Emotion Management. Stress And Health.

10.3

Promotion Of Mental Health. Concept Of Mental Health. Awareness Of Mental Health: Promotion In Family, School, Society.

10.4

Career Choice And Planning: Vocational Guidance. Uses Of Psychological Tests In Guidance, Vocational Counseling

10.5

Counseling And Psychotherapy- For Students/Children, Adults With Emotional Problems, Marital.

Chapter 1

Individual Differences

1.1

Concept, Nature V/S Nurture Relationship, Mechanisms Of Heredity.

1.2

Environment: Prenatal And Post Natal Environment (Physical, Social And Cultural)

1.3

Main Areas Of Individual Differences: Intelligence: Definitions By Wechsler, Spencer, Terman, Munn. Brief Historical Background Of Measurement Of Intelligence. Kinds Of Intelligence-Abstract, Concrete, Social
Alfred Binet’s Contribution, Mental Age, Intelligence Quotient
Distribution Of Intelligence (Normal Distribution Curve)
Types Of Intelligence Tests- Individual, Group, Verbal, Non-Verbal, Reliability, Validity, Norms
Uses Of Intelligence Tests In Education, Vocational And Occupational Selection
Theories Of Intelligence-Spearman, Thurstone Gardener

1.4

Other Areas Of Individual Differences, Differences In Aptitude-Definition Of Aptitude, DAT And Its Uses

1.5

Differences In Ability, Interests-A Few Scales Of Interest Measurement

Chapter 2

Personality

2.1

Definition And Nature Of Personality: Temperament, Types, Traits

2.2

Factors Shaping Personality: Biological- Genetic Endowment, Body Chemistry, Physique, Physical Disabilities, Endocrine Glands-Pituitary, Thyroid, Parathyroid, Adrenals, Gonads, Pancreas

2.3

Psychosocial Factors: Family Structure, Atmosphere, Relationships, Pathological Patterns, Emotional Deprivation, Early Childhood Experiences, Traumas Due To Death, Divorce And Pathological Patterns
Peer Group Influences-Social Environment, Social Interactions, Neighborhood, Surroundings, School Atmosphere, Teacher Pupil Relationships, Religious Affiliations, Socioeconomic Status
Cultural Factors

2.4

Measurement Of Personality: Interview-Depth, Guided. Rating Scales-Absolute, Ranking, Drawbacks Of Rating Scales. Situational Tests. Questionnaires, Scales MMPI, 16PF. Projective Techniques

2.5

Theories Of Personality: Freud, Cattell, Eysenk

Chapter 3

Communication

3.1

Nature And Definition Of Communication. Process Of Communication. Communication Pattern (Circle, Wheel, Chain, Comcon)

3.2

Forms Of Communication: Verbal- Written, Oral, Paralanguage. Nonverbal- Facial Expressions, Eye Contact, Touch, Body Postures, Gestures, Physical Proximity, Body Movement Auditory Cues.

3.3

Types Of Communication: One Way, Two Way, Direct, Indirect. Advantages And Disadvantages Of Each Type

3.4

Psychological Barriers To Communication-Attitudes, Prejudices And Stereotypes

3.5

Effective Ways Of Communication

Chapter 4

Group Behavior

4.1

Nature And Definition Of Group, Emergence Of Social Groups, Brief Outline Of Group Membership, Characteristics Of Social Group

4.2

Types Of Groups: Primary-Secondary, Formal-Informal,-Inclusive-Exclusive, In Group-Out Group, Membership-Reference

4.3

Leadership- Definition. Characteristics Of A Leader

4.4

Types Of Leadership: Authoritarian, Democratic, Laissez-Faire, Administrator, Bureaucrat, Expert, Ideologist, Symbolic, Charismatic

Chapter 5

Adjustment and Mental Health

5.1

Concept Of Adjustment And Maladjustment-Nature And Definition

5.2

Kinds Of Adjustment-Personal, Social, Family, School, Peer Group, Interpersonal Relationship

5.3

Characteristics Of A Well Adjusted And Maladjusted Individual. Relativity Of Adjustment And Maladjustment

5.4

Frustration: External- Environmental, Social. Internal-Personal Inadequacies

5.5

Conflict Of Motives: Approach-Approach, Avoidance-Avoidance, Approach –Avoidance, Double Approach-Avoidance.

5.6

Ways Of Resolving Conflicts: Direct Ways-Direct Attack, Compromise, Choice /Selection.
Indirect Ways- Defense Mechanisms- Nature And Definition
Types: Rationalization, Projection, Daydreaming, Sublimation, Regression, Identification, Displacement, Compensation

5.7

Mental Health(Hygiene): Concept And Nature, Aspects Of Mental Health, Preservation Of Mental Health, Prevention And Treatment Of Mental Illness

Chapter 6

Behavioral and Social Problems and their Remedies

6.1

Causes Of Behavioral And Social Problems

6.2

Truancy-Causes And Remedies
Temper Tantrums- Causes And Remedies
Pathological Lying- Causes And Remedies
Stealing- Causes And Remedies
Juvenile Delinquency- Causes And Treatment
Alcohol Addiction-Stages, Personality Characteristics, Treatment
Drug Addiction-Causes, Effects, Treatment

6.3

Prejudices- Types, Causes, Remedies
Prostitution- Causes, Effects, Remedies
Crime- Movies, Literature, Effects, Gambling Smuggling Etc.
Sexual Deviations: Exhibitionism, Sadism, Masochism, Voyeurism, Fetishism, Faith And Blind Faith, Superstition

Chapter 7

Psychological Disorders

7.1

Definitions Of Normal And Abnormal. Difference Between Normal And Abnormal

7.2

Types Of Abnormalities: Neurotic Disorders, Psychotic Disorders. Neurotic Disorders- Anxiety Disorders, Phobic Disorders, Conversion Disorders, Dissociative Disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorders
Psychotic Disorders-Schizophrenia
Personality Disorders-Antisocial Personality Disorder, And Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Other Disorders-Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Intellectual Deficit, Autism
Organic Brain Disorder- Age Related, Epilepsy

Chapter 8

Statistics

8.1

Nature And Definition

8.2

Frequency Distribution, Tabulation Of Group Data

8.3

Mean, Media, Mode, Range, Standard Deviation

Chapter 9

Stress

9.1

Definition And Nature Of Stress And Stressors

9.2

Physiology Of Stress: Effect On Autonomic Nervous System, Effect On Functioning On Endocrine System.
Physiological Reaction To Stress: General Adaptation Syndrome-Alarm Reaction, Resistance Stage, Exhaustion Stage

9.3

Mechanism Of Stress Diseases, Psychic Phase, Psychosomatic Phase, Somatic Phase, Organic Phase(Symptoms And Illness)

9.4

Daily Hassles And Stress

9.5

Managing Stress

Chapter 10

Home and Family

10.1

Nature Of Home And Family-Joint And Nuclear
Family Relationships: Parent-Child, Sibling Relationships

10.2

Faulty Family Patterns- Overprotection, Rejection, Favoritism, Unrealistic Expectations, Lack Of Communication, Lack Of Parental Models
Pathogenic Family Patterns: Antisocial Role Models, Broken Homes

10.3

Home: Environment-Socio-Economic Status, Emotional Environment, Intellectual And Academic Environment, Generation Gap
Discipline At Home-Role Of Reward And Punishment In Discipline