Course Outline

Week 1


• Introduction to Psychology

• Emergence of modern psychology

• Early contributions

• Empiricism in philosophy

• Darwinian influence

• Experimental Method

• Wundt and experimentalism


Week 2 Introduction to Psychology continued


• James and Functionalism

• Areas of specialization in psychology

• Emergence of gender issues in psychology

• Early studies of gender differences


Week 3 Introduction to Psychology continued


• Need for psychology of women

• Women psychologists & the influence of feminist movement

• Controversies related to psychology of women

• Areas under female psychology


Week 4


• Biological determinants of gender differences

• Chromosomes & genes

• Sex linked genes

• Chromosomal abnormalities

• Endocrine glands & hormones

• Hormones & the brain


Week 5 Endocrine glands & hormones continued


• Endocrine & exocrine system

• Endocrine glands

• Adrenal glands

• Thyroid gland

• Pituitary gland

• The parathyroid glands

• Related Hormones


Week 6


• Prenatal & postnatal development

• Challenges to prenatal development

• Dimensions of child development

• Physical development

• Cognitive development

• Socio emotional development


Week 7


• Socialization of human beings

• Agents of socialization

• Biological determinants

• Psycho- social determinants


Week 8


• Theories of personality development

• Cooley and the looking-glass self

• Mead and the “Generalized other”

• Freud and the eight stages of life

• Piaget and developmental learning


Week 9


• Gender – Role stereotyping

• Different researches about stereotyping

• Stereotypes involve diverse behaviors& characteristics

• Stereotypes across the socioeconomic spectrum

• Difference of developed and developing countries regarding stereotypes

• Gender similarities &differences

• Physical and biological differences


Note: mid term exams will be taken


Week 10 Gender- Role stereotyping continued


Cognitive differences

Social differences

• Gender differences: personality and social behavior

• Common stereotypes of men & women

• Personality traits under study

• Myths &realities about personality traits

• Communication styles

• Helping &caring

• Socialization

Note: syllabus related assignments and book reviews will be given to the students in the form of groups


Week 11 Gender differences continued


• Power

• Play & Activity

• Emotionality

• Fear

• Parenting Activities

• Gender similarities& differences in Pakistan


Week 12


• Girl child

• Women and adolescence

• Self- concept and identity during adolescence

• Interpersonal relationships during adolescence

• Women in adulthood

• Infertility and social psychological consequences for women

• Psychological impact of infertility

• Social consequences of infertility

• Pregnancy and related issues

• Planned motherhood

• Maternal diseases

• Consequences of prenatal malnutrition


Week 13


• Women & late adulthood

• Meaning of late adulthood & aging

• The facts of physical aging

• Body changes in late adulthood

• Cognitive changes

• Socioemotional changes & activity theory

• Mental health & aging

• Common emotional reactions in old age

• Adaptive techniques

• Gender discrimination and problems of the old women


• Loneliness

• Widowhood

• Single hood

Week 14


Note: students will present their assignments in the class


Week 15 Women & late adulthood continued


• Post – parental years

• Retirement

• Financial problems

• Self-esteem

• Living arrangements

• Developmental tasks

Acceptance of one’s life

Redirection of energy to new roles& activities


Week 16


• Women & psychological issues

• Therapies

• Meaning of therapy

• Types of therapies