INTRODUCTION TO
PSYCHOLOGY
(SSC 210)
Dr. Taalia Khan
BBA/B.S. II
Spring 2024
Teaching would include lectures, discussions, presentations,
quizzes, class and home assignments.
A special focus on psychological and behavioral problems in
Pakistan will be carried out.
TEACHING
STRATEGY:
In addition, all students would be required to complete a
project and present it to the class for discussion.
Final Exam
35%
Mid Term
20%
Project and presentation
20%
Quizzes and assignments
20%
Attendance and Class Participation
05%
Lahey, B. B. (2007). Psychology an Introduction.
McGraw-Hill, International Edition.
Wade, Carole & Tavris, Carol. (2006)
Psychology, 8th edition. Prentice Hall, NJ.
READING
MATERIAL
Coon, D. (1998). Introduction to psychology.
Brooks / Cole Publishing Company.
Additional reading material like case studies,
research articles and various other hand-outs
will be provided in class. Only relevant sections
of these text books will be used.
FOR
ASSISTANCE
AND
QUERIES
taaliak@hotmail.com
No queries regarding grade changes will be
entertained and replied!
CLASS RULES!
Either stay in the class or don’t come at all (NO coming in and going out again and
again)
Cell phones on silent at all times in classroom
Give respect and take respect
Assignment submission only entertained at an announced time of deadline
Proper printed home assignments should be submitted
A ten minutes break means 10 MINUTES
COURSE OUTLINE
Introduction: What is psychology. Psychology Myth and Reality.
History of psychology. Areas in psychology. Modern day
theories of psychology.
Research methodology: Critical thinking. Psychology as a science.
Methods used in the study of behavior and mental processes.
Biological basis of behavior: Neurons and the nervous system.
Structure and functions of the brain. genetic influences in behavior.
Sensation and perception: Structure and functions of the eye, ear
and other senses. Perception.
States of consciousness: Sleep, dreams and sleep disorders. Drug
abuse and dependence.
Learning: What is learning? Classical and operant conditioning.
Reward and punishment. Escape and avoidance learning.
Memory: Types of memory. Forgetting.
Cognition: Theories and measurement of thinking.
Motivation and emotions: Primary and secondary needs. Biological
thermostat. Physiology and theories of emotions.
Personality: Theories and measurement of personality.
Stress and coping: health and stress. Conflict. Frustrations.
Abnormal behavior: Behavior disorders and therapy.
LECTURE: 01
WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGY?
PSYCHOLOGY
The term Psychology comes from Aristotle’s word “Psyche” and the
Greek word “logos”
Psyche= The mind or the Soul
Logos= The study of
Since then, the meaning has evolved of the modern discipline of
Psychology
Psychology is defined as
the science of Behavior
and Mental Processes
Science: Approach to
knowledge based on
systematic observation.
Behavior: Directly
observable and
measureable actions.
Mental Processes: Private
psychological activities
that include thinking,
perceiving and feeling.
DEFINITION
What are the Psychologists
trying to accomplish?
Describe
GOALS OF
PSYCHOLOGY
Predict
Understand
And Influence human behavior
and mental processes.
DESCRIBE
The information gathered through scientific
research helps psychologists describe
psychological phenomena more accurately
and completely. For example to find out the
frequency of drug abuse amongst
teenagers .
PREDICT
In some case Psychologists are able to
predict future behavior, e.g. ‘Psychometric
tests’ which enable psychologists/Employers
to predict the performance of the
candidates.
UNDERSTAND
To understand the behavior and mental
processes we need to know their cause.
Theories offer us that explanation but it is
important to understand that theories are
tentative explanation of facts and
relationships in science.
INFLUENCE
Psychologists want to influence behavior in
beneficial ways to help people cope with
depression , anxiety etc and that is where
psychology completely fulfills its promise.
FOUNDING
THE SCIENCE
OF
PSYCHOLOGY
(SOME
IMPORTANT
NAMES)
No formal science of Psychology even 2,200
years after Aristotle
19th Century marked the establishment of
psychology as an independent discipline
Wilhelm Wundt
founded the first laboratory of Psychology
Conducted introspective study of human
consciousness with Edward Titchener and J.
Henry Alston
Max Wertheimer
Gestalt Psychology
Phi Phenomenon (for demonstrating whole is different from the sum of its
parts)
oWilliam James
Emphasized on the survival functions of consciousness
Taught the first proper course and published the first textbook of
Psychology
Deeply influenced by the work of Charles Darwin
Alfred Binet
Developed psychometrics movement by developing an intelligence test
Ivan Pavlov
Founded behaviorism movement, specifically focusing only on overt
movement
Sigmund Freud
Worked on psychoanalysis and unconsciousness
Remarkable work on unconsciousness
BASIC AREAS OF MODERN
PSYCHOLOGY
Sensation and
Perception
Biological
Psychology
Motivation and
emotion
Learning and
memory
Developmental
Psychology
Basic
Areas
Sociocultural
Psychology
Personality
Social Psychology
Cognition
APPLIED AREAS OF MODERN
PSYCHOLOGY
Clinical Psychology
Health Psychology
Applied
Areas
Industrial and
Organizational
Psychology
Counseling
Psychology
Educational and
school Psychology