Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) Introduction to Psychology Syllabus - Mumbai University
This is the syllabus of the College of Social Work (Empowered Autonomous), Nirmala Niketan, which is the only college offering the B.S.W. under the University of Mumbai. The college has been autonomous since 2019-20 and empowered autonomous since 2024-25, so it sets this syllabus and conducts these examinations itself, and the degree awarded is still a University of Mumbai degree. The University last set a common B.S.W. paper of its own in 2019; this is the current document, amended in June 2026.
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Syllabus for Introduction to Psychology
About this course
The course on Introduction to Psychology focuses on enabling the students to understand the field of psychology as a field related to social work giving an insight on understanding different Psychological theories. The Purpose of the course is to introduce the students to the theoretical postulations in psychology and its relevance in understanding human behaviour. The theoretical orientation of the course will emphasize on the major psychological theories such as Psychoanalytic Theories, Behavioristic theories and Humanistic theories. These theoretical perspectives will enable students to understand the psychological dimensions while working with the client systems and to apply the same in field work.
Course objectives
- To develop an understanding of the various fields in psychology
- To provide an overview on principles of growth, and the role of nature and nurture in growth and development.
- To develop an understanding of various Personality theories
Learning outcomes
- CO 13 Demonstrate an understanding of psychology and different approaches to personality development.
- CO 14 Analyze and differentiate various personality theories and their application in human behavior.
- CO 15 Apply personality theories to real-life situations and psychological case studies.
- CO 16 Evaluate the relevance of personality theories in contemporary psychological and social work practice.
Unit I: Introduction to Psychology
- Introduction to Psychology and the Different Fields of Psychology
- Different Approaches to Understanding Personality:
- Type Approach: Categorizing individuals into distinct personality types
- Hippocrates’ Four Temperaments
- Sheldon’s Somatotype Theory Jung’s Personality Theory
- Trait Approach: Measuring personality on a continuum
- Allport’s Theory
- Cattell’s 16 Personality Factors
- Eysenck’s PEN Model (Psychoticism, Extraversion, Neuroticism)
- The Big Five Personality Traits
Essential readings
- Feldman, R. S. (1997). Understanding Psychology. McGraw Hill.
- Lahey, B. A. (1998). An Introduction to Psychology (6th ed.). Tata McGraw Hill.
- Morgan, C. T. (2017). Introduction to Psychology (7th ed.). McGraw Hill Education.
- Atkinson, R. L., & Hilgard, E. R. (2000). Introduction to Psychology (14th ed.). Harcourt Brace.
- Mangal, S. K. (2007). General Psychology. Sterling Publishers.
- Eysenck, H. J. (1998). Personality: Theories and Applications. Routledge.
Unit II: Introduction to Theories of Personality
- Freudian Model of Psycho Sexual Development
- Erickson’s Model of Psycho Social Development
- Behavioristic Theories of Development -Classical and Operant Conditioning
- Humanistic Theories of Development -Abraham Maslow
- Application of the psychological theories in social work context
Essential readings
- Feldman, R. S. (1997). Understanding Psychology. McGraw Hill.
- Lahey, B. A. (1998). An Introduction to Psychology (6th ed.). Tata McGraw Hill.
- Mitchell, P., & Ziegler, F. (2007). Fundamentals of Development: The Psychology of Childhood. Psychology Press.
- Santrock, J. W. (2012). Life Span Development (13th ed.). McGraw Hill.
- Hall, C. S. (1954). A Primer of Freudian Psychology. Harper & Row.
Reproduced from Regulations and Syllabus of Bachelor of Social Work Degree (2023), Amended 2026, published by the College of Social Work (Empowered Autonomous), Nirmala Niketan, which is affiliated to the University of Mumbai and sets this syllabus itself. Wording is as printed in that document.
The complete syllabus
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