INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY

Course objective

This course helps students to understand the concept, perspective, processes and structures
underlying human behavior as a basis for managing people in social and organizational
settings. The course enables students to learn how the theories of learning, concept of
intelligence, personality types/ traits can be practically assessed. After the completion of this
course the students will be able to explore the key figures, diverse theoretical perspectives
and research findings that have shaped the major areas of psychology. Students will learn
how psychologists ask questions from different perspectives: questions related to intelligence,
learning, development, social behavior and personality so as to acquaint with appropriate
findings.

Further it enables students to:

 Define/ describe, understand, study and analyze human behavior from different
perspectives.
 Identify and interpret individual/ social behavior in organizational and social settings
 Understand and implement the learning theories to modify and change behavior.
 Helps to know how the thought process influence our emotion and behavior
 Incorporate cognitive intelligence theories and emotional intelligence to provide
explanations of underlying human behavior as a basis of managing people in an
organizational setting.
 Understanding the importance of personality in dealing people in social settings.

Methodology

The course is designed to impart knowledge to students in a participative approach where the
faculty acts as a facilitator. Students are required to come to the class with proper preparation.
Active participation, submit assignments on time, make presentations on topics provided,
take initiatives, preparing MCQ and chapter-based quiz etc. are some of regular practices
which is set as an evaluation criterion. Case discussion will be highly encouraged during
class hours.

Summarized below is the methodology involved:

 Pre readings
 Lectures
 Group discussion
 Case discussion
 Writing assignment including Reflective writing
 Presentation
 Assessment Plan

Criteria Weightage Activities

Unit tests 10 2
Reflective writing/Project work/Term
10 1-2
Paper
Home/ Class Assignments/ Case 3-5
10
discussion
Class participation/
10
Initiative/Behavior
Minimum 80% is required to
Attendance 5
qualify for final exam
Individual Presentation 5 1

Group Presentation 5 1

Final Examination 30

Mid semester exam 15

Details about Key Assignments

 Pre reading: Compulsory in every class

 Homework assignments: By the end of some specific chapter, tasks will be given
during class or for home assignment. The deadline for submission of home assignment
per the instructed date and time.

● Presentation: For group presentation, chapters will be provided to the group. Each
student can select the topic of their interest from the chapter in group presentation
after wise discussion. Whereas for individual presentation, topic will be provided by
the facilitator.

Presentation will be conducted in the 2nd half of the class session.

● Internal Exams:

 Unit tests: After completion of at least two units, first unit test will be taken,
comprising of objective or subjective question. Without prior information test
can be conducted, so students should come prepared in each session.

 Mid-term exam will be taken after the completion of 40-50% of the course. It
will be conducted as per the academic calendar.

 Final exam carries 30 marks and will be conducted following the academic
calendar.
● Case study: This will be a classroom discussion and interaction followed by group
discussion. Only those cases will be discussed which is relevant to the course content.

● Reflective writing: After the end of some specific chapter, your learning on the topic
shall be written as part of your assignment. You will freely write and share about your
learning experience and achievement, the practical implication in organizational and
social settings along with student’s impression after the completion of the course.

● Project work/ Term paper: In the last chapter, students will conduct a project work
using the tool for psychological assessment. The format for the project work will be
provided prior along with the required information and deadline for the project.
Depending upon the time availability viva or workshop can be conducted for the
same. The submission of this assignment will be a week ahead of the end semester
examination
COURSE POLICIES

 Attendance & Participation Policy

Regular attendance and active participation are essential for success in this course. I
expect you to be on time, read the course material for the day, and be ready to
participate actively in class activities by contributing to the discussions and a
productive learning environment for all. Since we have limited time to complete the
course, students are required to initiate and focus more on personal effort rather on the
delivery made by the facilitator.

● 80% attendance is mandatory to appear for the end semester examination. The
evaluation on attendance will be made according to numbers of days present.

● Your respective parents/ guardian must inform the concerned authority (coordinator)
regarding leave in case of emergency.

● Frequent lateness to class will result in docking of attendance/participation credit

and disqualification for the final exam according to college policy of 80% attendance.
Please turn of mobile devices and turn on your mind and body; the class needs your
positive energy and attitude toward learning. Using of internet and side talks is strictly
restricted unless assigned tasks relevant to it.

● Late Work and Extension Policy: Deadlines are strictly enforced, and no marks
will be allocated after the deadline, if any casualties, it must come through the
coordinator’s reference.

● Classroom Policy: Classroom discipline further called as the ground rules to conduct
the class will be set only after the consultation with students. For effective learning,
we will set ice break session in each 20 minutes of session. Student’s participation
will be highly encouraged. ‘Learning by doing’ and ‘learning from mistakes’ is our
main motive to influence students. Peer pressure, non-verbal communication will be
strictly monitored during classes to help the class to learn in healthy environment.
How we conduct with the class will be with ‘patience and politeness’. Immediate
action will be taken for any offensive activities during the class session. Students
should come in decent outfit and maintain health safety protocol/measures during
class due to the COVID restrictions.

● Mentoring and Required Meetings: Whenever my assistance ship and mentoring

are required, students can consult me during break time and if any personal issues to
be shared, you are more than welcome for the counseling session. Confidentiality is
highly maintained. The concerned authority’s approval is compulsory in case of
formal counseling session is needed.

● Academic Support Information: I encourage you to enhance your learning by

utilizing opportunities beyond the classroom and resources provided by the college.
Make sure to use the library, access materials from secured sources.
● Academic Integrity Policy: I expect all of your work to be original, reflecting an
engagement and interest in learning. Any work that is not your own but presented as
such will lead to serious academic penalty, including strict action from college
authority. When in doubt about originality, consult me. Make sure you have a zeal to
learn.

● Disability Support/Accommodation: If you have a physical or learning disability

that affect your learning, I will be obliged to help you at my level best, since it is
integral part of my duty, and you will never be discouraged. You will be treated with
empathy.

● Plagiarism is highly monitored.

Grading system

100-90 A

89-80 A-

79-70 B+

69-60 B

59-50 B-

49-40 C+

Below 40 C
 KATHMANDU UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
BBA COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Title: Introduction to Psychology
Course Code: NBC 101
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 45 hrs.
Learning Unit/Net
Contents Activities
contact Hr.
Unit 1: Conceptual and methodological frameworks
 Understanding Psychology:
Concepts, goals of Psychology
 Major perspectives of Psychology:
behavioral, cognitive, biological,
evolutionary, developmental,
Unit 1
psychodynamics and socio-cultural.  Brainstorming
Contact Hour: 6
 Importance of Psychology in work  Faculty sharing
Session: 1,2 and 3
settings  Classroom discussion
 Research methodology in
Psychology:
Observation – naturalistic
Correlation method
Experimental method
Unit 2: Perception
 Concepts and Importance;
Perception; subliminal perception
 Perceptual organization;
Constancies and Illusions
 Faculty Presentation
 Pattern Recognition
and sharing
 Social Behavior: Persuasion,
Unit 2  Students’ engagement
Attitudes and Prejudices;
Contact Hr.: 7  Practical implication
Techniques to reduce it
Session: 4,5, 6,7  Case Discussion
 Social Influence: Conformity,
 1st unit test on unit 1 &
Compliance and Obedience
2
 Kelly’s Attribution Theory
 Impression Formation: Perceptual
error in interpersonal context and
ways of overcoming it.
Unit 3: Learning
 Concept and importance of
learning
 Learning theories: Behavioristic
perspective; Classical and Operant
conditioning, Cognitive  Faculty Presentation
Unit 3
perspectives; Social and
Contact Hr.: 6 and sharing
Observational learning Application
Session:8,9,10  Reflective writing
of learning theories: Shaping
behavior – positive reinforcement,
negative reinforcement,
punishment and extinction and
Behavior modification
Unit 4: Memory
Unit 4  Concepts and Importance: human  Case discussion
Contact Hr.: 4 memory.  Individual sharing:
Session:11,12  Types of memory (working Improving memory techniques
 Memory, long-term memory
modules: declarative memory
(semantic memory and episodic
memory) and procedural memory
 Atkinson and Shiffrin’s Model of
 Class assignment
memory
 Forgetting; causes (Interference,
retrieval inhibition and motivated
forgetting)
 Improving Memory: Techniques
Unit 5: Cognition and Intelligence
 Thinking; Concept, importance and
elements of thoughts
 Reasoning- Heuristic, decision
making
 Problem solving; Methods, factors
affecting problem solving  Individual
 Intelligence; concept and presentation: Topics
Unit 5 importance, role of heredity and will be provided in
Contact Hr.: 8 environment in intelligence. advance
Session:13,14,15,16 Gender differences in intelligence.  Home assignment
Causes of variation in intellectual  2nd Unit test on Unit 3
ability &4
 Group differences in Intelligence
test scores: Evidence for the role of
genetic or environmental factors
 Emotional Intelligence; concept,
importance and attributes
Unit 6: Emotion and Motivation
 Emotion; concept, importance,
biological basis of emotions and
external expression of emotion
 Theories of emotion: James Lange
Theory, Cannon- Bard theory,  Group Presentation on
Unit 6 Schachter- Singer theory: two emotion and
Contact Hr.: 8 factor theory, Cognitive appraisal motivation theories
Session:17,18,19,20 theory and Facial-Feedback theory with practical
 Subjective well being examples
 Motivation; Concept, importance
and theories of motivation: Drive
theory, arousal theory and
expectancy theory
Unit 7: Personality
 Personality; concept and
importance
 Personality and Health
 Project work/Term
Unit 7  Personality and behavior in work paper on any topic of
Contact Hr.:6 setting your interest
Session: 21,22,23  Measuring Personality; Self -Report
from this unit
tests of personality, projective tests,
Behavioral observations; biological
measures.

Disclaimer: Number of sessions could be revised depending upon the need. Hence this is a
tentative plan for sessions.
Tests/ class assignments etc. can be taken any time to observe students’ preparedness and
understanding over the contents

Text and Reference books:

Baron, B.A. (2003), Psychology, Fifth edition. Prentice-Hall of India.

Feldman, R.S. (2004). Understanding Psychology, Sixth edition. New Delhi, Tata McGraw-
Hill Publishing Co. Ltd.

Subedi, B.P. (2020), Basic Psychology, First edition. Asmita Publication, Kathmandu