Professor Namita Ranganathan has been teaching courses in Psychology in the Department of Education, University of Delhi since the last 31 years. She is currently Dean of the Faculty of Education.

Ms. Vishakha Kumar taught Psychology at Delhi Public School R. K. Puram. She is currently a UGC Senior Research Fellow, pursuing research in the Department of Education, University of Delhi.

Dr. Vikas Baniwal teaches at School of Education Studies, Ambedkar University Delhi. His teaching and research interests include studies in Psychology and Philosophy.

Ms. Rashmi Malhotra taught Psychology in Springdales, Sardar Patel Vidyalaya, and Vasant Valley School Delhi. She is currently working as a life skills trainerand has developed training manuals for various NGOs.

Ms. Anshu Chaudhary teaches at the Department of Psychology, Indraprastha College for Women, University of Delhi. Her research interests are in Organizational Behaviour, Social Psychology, and Gender Studies.

Preface

Introduction

Development of Psychology: An Overview

Some Reflections on Psychology Textbooks; Psychology: Science or Social Science?; The Interdisciplinary Nature of Psychology; Nature of Knowledge in the Texts: Selection and Representation; Adequacy of School Textbooks as Preparation for Higher Education in Psychology; Pedagogical Directions in Textbooks; Revisiting the History of Psychology; Contemporary Developments in Psychology; Pedagogy in the Psychology Classroom; Understanding the Nature of Learner; The Psychology Teacher: Important Considerations; Methods and Strategies for Teaching Psychology; Lecture Method; Group-work; Experiments; Project-Based Learning or Problem Solving; T-Groups, Encounter Groups, and Sharing Groups; Role Play; Questioning as a Pedagogical Technique; Use of ICT in the Classroom; Assessment and Evaluation; The Framework for this Resource Book

The Nature of Psychology

Introduction; Nature of Psychology: Subject Matter and Definition; Dispelling Myths and Misconceptions about Psychology; Identity of Psychology as a Discipline; Psychology as an Applied Discipline and its Key Branches; Evolution of Psychology; Psychology and Everyday life; Human Wholeness in Psychology

Methods of Enquiry in Psychology 

Introduction; Understanding Psychological Research; Goals of Psychological Inquiry; Steps for Conducing Psychological Research; Simulated Experiment; Experimental Method; Observation; Correlational Research; Survey Method: Design, Standardization and Utility; Case Study; Ethics of Research; Recent Trends

Sensation and Perception 

Introduction; Drawing the Relation between Sensation, Attention and Perception; Visual and Auditory Sensations;  ‘Absolute Threshold’ and ‘Differential Threshold’; Attentional Processes; Span of Attention; Alertness and Concentration; Focus and Fringe; Selective Attention and Internal and External Factors Affecting Attention; Filtering by Selective Attention; Processing Approaches in Perception; Perceiver’s Significance; Perception of Space, Depth and Distance; Illusions; Recent Trends

Human Memory 

Introduction; Nature of Memory; Long Term Memory; Maintenance Rehearsal and Elaborative Rehearsal; Memory System; Memory as a Reconstructive Process; Iconic and Echoic Memory; Chunking; Types of Long Term Memory; Concept; The Hierarchical Network Model; Examples; Recent Trends

Thinking 

Introduction; Definition of Thinking; Definition of Thinking; Building Blocks of Thought; Understanding Concepts; Problem Solving; Creative Thinking; Characteristics of Creative Thinking; Language and Thought; Recent Trends

Motivation and Emotion 

Introduction; Nature of Motivation; Biological and Psychosocial Motives; Psychosocial Motives; Frustration; Nature of Emotions; Physiological and Cognitive bases of Emotions; Expression of Emotions; Managing Emotions; Recent Trends

Learning and Cognition 

Introduction; Nature of Learning; Difference between Habituation and Learning; Difference between Learning and Reflex; Classical Conditioning; Operant Conditioning; Imitation and Observational Learning; Category Clustering; Concept Learning; Sociocultural Theory of Lev Vygotsky; Recent Trends

Human Development 

Introduction; Meaning of Development; Life-Span Perspective of Development; My Story; The Context of Development: Urie Bronfenbrenner; Stages of Development; The Pre Natal Stage; Infancy; Childhood; Adolescence; Summarising the Stages of Development; Role of Culture; Recent Trends

Individual Differences and Human Intelligence 

Introduction; Individual Differences; Introducing Intelligence and Psychometrics; Howard Gardner’s theory of Multiple Intelligence; Multiple Intelligences; Debates related to Intelligence; Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory of Intelligence; Emotional Intelligence; Culture and Intelligence; Recent Trends

Attitudes, Social Cognition and Pro Social Behaviour 

Introduction; Nature of Attitude: ABC Model of Attitude; Attitude-Behaviour Relationship and Cognitive Dissonance; Attitude Change and Persuasion; Advertising and Persuasion; Stereotypes, Prejudices, and Discrimination; Gender Stereotypes in Advertisements; Attribution of Responsibility; Biases in Attribution; Impression Formation- Primacy Effect; Role of Central Traits in Impression Formation; Pro-social Behaviour-Replicating the Bystander’s Effect; Some Concepts for Advanced Learners

Social Influence and Group Processes

Introduction; Defining groups; Social Loafing; Group Polarization; Deindividuation; Conformity; Compliance: ‘Foot in the door’ and ‘Door in the face’ techniques; Obedience; Social Identity and Biases; Intergroup Cooperation and Competition; Prisoner’s Dilemma; Some Concepts for Advanced Learners

Self and Personality

Introduction; Introduction to Self and Personality; Self as an Object and Subject; Self-Esteem and Self-Efficacy; Self-Regulation; Nature of Personality; Trait Approach; Trait Approach; Psychodynamic Approach; Introduction to the Psychodynamic Approach; Id, Ego, Superego and Defence Mechanisms; Levels of Consciousness; Self Actualisation; Social Cognitive Approach; Erik Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development; Search for Identity; Different Approaches to the Study of Personality: Analysis of a Case Study; Assessment; Recent Developments

Psychological Disorders 

Introduction; Concept of Abnormality; Differentiating Abnormal from Normal; Factors Underlying Psychological Disorders; Psychological Disorders; Case Presentation; Research; Discussing Media Representation of Psychological Disorders; Recent Trends

Therapeutic Approaches 

Introduction; Therapeutic Relationship; Multiple Approaches to Therapy; Psychodynamic Therapy; Behaviour Therapy; Behaviour Modification Therapy; Factors contributing to Healing; Alternative Therapies; Case Analysis from Multiple Perspectives; Rehabilitation of the Mentally Ill; Recent Trends

Developing Psychological Skills 

Introduction; Observation Skills: “Check it out for 30 seconds”; Participant Observation; Communication Skills: The Drawing Task; Communication Skills: Chinese Whisper; Communication Skills: Active Listening and Paraphrasing; Communication Skills: Non-verbal Communication and Mixed Messages; Interviewing Skills; Counselling Skills: Empathy; Counselling Skills: Role play and Feedback; Stress Management: Defining Stress and identifying its causes; Stress Management: Identifying the Stressors; Stress Management: Managing Stress