BMS 5th Semester Syllabus
FOUNDATION OF PSYCHOLOGY
[PSY 201]
Credit Hours: 3 LH: 48
Course Objectives
This course enables the learners to understand human mind and behavior. It familiarizes them with the
knowledge on how biology, cognition and behavior shape personality. It ensures to be able to take
effective decisions in the work place. It familiarizes with psychological process and theories in everyday
life, business, management and organizations.
Course Description
The course has focused on the basic concepts of psychology, various psychological theories and their
implications in business and administration.
Course Contents
Unit 1: Introduction to Psychology LH 5
Meaning and Definition of Psychology; Meaning of Behavior; Nature of Psychology (Psychology as
Empirical science); The Fields of Psychology; Perspectives of Psychology; Scientific; Method and
Psychological Research; Applications of Psychology in Everyday Life
Unit 2: Sensation and Perception LH 9
Sensation: Meaning of Sensation; Sensory Receptors; Sensory Threshold; Sensory Threshold; Habituation
and Sensory Adaptation; Sensory Experiences.
Perception: Meaning and Definition of Perception; Nature of Perception; Difference between Perception
and Sensation; Characteristics of Perception; Factors Influencing Perception; Perceptual Process;
Subliminal Perception; Extrasensory Perception (ESP); Perceptual Organization; Deceptions of
Perception (Perceptual Ambiguity and Distortion).
Unit 3: Learning Memory and Forgetting LH 9
Learning: Meaning and Definition of Learning; Nature of Learning; Types of Learning; Theories of
Learning; Transfer of Learning.
Memory: Meaning of Memory; The Information Processing Model; Retrieval of Memory; The Stage
Theory Model: Atkinson and Shiffrin Model of Memory; Parallel Distributed Processing Model; Memory
and the Brain; Forgetting: Meaning of Forgetting; Nature of Forgetting; Causes of Forgetting
Unit 4: Thinking and Decision- Making LH 5
Thinking: Meaning of Thinking; Nature of Thinking; Types of Thinking; Convergent and Divergent
Thinking; Components of Thinking; Creative Thinking; Thought and Brain.
Problem Solving and Decision Making: Meaning of Problem Solving; Meaning of Decision Making;
Methods Used to Solve Problems and Make Decisions; Steps Used in Problem Solving; Factors
Influencing for Effective Problem Solving
Unit 5: Human Intelligence LH 6
Meaning of Intelligence; Major Approaches / Theories of Intelligence; Individual Differences in
Intelligence; Role of Heredity and Environment in Shaping Human; Intelligence Tests; Difference
between Intelligence and Intelligence Quotient (IQ); Emotional Intelligence (EI); Daniel Goleman’s
Dimensions/ Principles of Emotional Intelligence; Emotional Intelligence in Work Place; Emotional
Intelligence in Leadership
Unit 6: Motivation, Emotion and Stress LH 9
Motivation: Meaning of Motivation; Nature of Motivation; Characteristics of Motivation; Motivation
Cycle; Types of Motivation Approaches/Theories to Understanding Motivation;
Socio-psychological Motivation: Need for Achievement and Power (McClelland’s Human Motivation
Theory). Emotion: Meaning of Emotion; Nature of Emotion; Types of Emotions; Functions of Emotions;
Theories to Understanding Emotion; Emotional Labor and External Constraints on Emotion;
Organizational Application of Emotion
Stress: Meaning of Stress; Types of Stress; Causes of Stress; Effects of Stress; General Adaptation
Syndrome (GAS): Model/ Theory of Stress; Psychoneuro immunology and Stress; Managing Stress
Unit 7: Personality LH 5
Meaning of Personality; Nature of Personality; Factors Affecting Personality; Theories/Perspectives in
Personality; Measurement of Personality
Teaching Methods
Case study presentation, research article review, group discussion, interaction, assignments, lecture and
self-study
Suggested Readings
Ciccarelli, Saundra K., & Meyer Glenn E. (2014). Psychology. South Asian Edition. New Delhi: Dorling
Kindersley Pvt. Ltd.
Feldman, Robert S. (2011). Understanding Psychology. 10th ed. New Delhi: McGraw Hill Education
Private Limited.
Morgan, Clifford T., King A. Richard, Weisz John R. & Schopler John (1993). Introduction to
psychology. 7th ed. New Delhi: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited.
Research and Academic Articles on Psychology available on Research Journals and websites.
