Indian Psychology Syllabus

DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
S. P. PUNE UNIVERSITY
SEMESTER-II

EP: 211: INDIAN PSYCHOLOGY
(Major Elective)

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

To acquaint students with:

1. The role of Indian culture in understanding behavior and exploring psychological insights in the Indian thought traditions.
2. Different religious school of thought explaining the concept of mind
3. Personality, beliefs and life orientations followed in Indian conventional thoughts.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Students will be able to:

1. Outline the fundamental concepts of Indian Psychology (tradition) in comparison with Western Psychology concepts.
2. Examine various concepts of Indian Psychology, personality and states of consciousness through Upanishads, Nyaya, Advaita-Vedantam etc.
3. Illustrate the ideas of Yoga and apply the knowledge for self-development
4. Analysing various religious school of thought in explaining the concept of Mind
5. Apply the concepts of Indian psychology in various fields like counselling, education,
   organizational behavior etc

1.0. INTRODUCTION TO INDIAN PSYCHOLOGY [15]

1.1. Nature of Indian Psychology
1.2. Fundamental assumptions of Indian Psychology
1.3. Mind-body complex, Mind according to Patanjali Yoga-sutras and Vedanta tradition
1.4. States of Consciousness, Factors of personality, functions of mind
1.5. Psychology: Eastern and Western Approach

2.0. CONCEPTS OF INDIAN PSYCHOLOGY [15]

2.1. Upanishads-states of consciousness, Factors of personality, mental functions, higher mental powers and Yoga.
2.2. Nyaya – concept of personality, psychology of perception, states of consciousness,
2.3. Vaisasesika – theory of consciousness, factors of personality, theory of perception.
2.4. Mimamsa – factors of personality, psychophysical system, cognition, perception.
2.5. Advaita Vedantam – Human personality, psychophysical apparatus, states of consciousness, functions of mind

3.0. PSYCHOLOGY OF BUDDHISM, JAINISM AND SUFI [15]

3.1. Buddhism – factors of personality, levels of consciousness, functioning of mind.
3.2. Jainism – nature of consciousness – cognition, sense organs, non-verbal comprehension, verbal comprehension, extra sensory perception, affection, conation, mental activity.
3.3. Sufi – Historical background and aim, basic concepts: spirit, views of the self and soul, Sufism and the integration of man,
3.4. Metaphysical concepts: attributes of God
3.5. Freedom of will, beliefs and action, reason and revelation

4.0. APPLYING INDIAN PSYCHOLOGY (15)

4.1. Counseling and therapy – vipassana and mindfulness,
4.2. Hatha yoga-based therapies: The Gita as a guide
4.3. Education – Gandhi’s NaiTalim, Satyagraha- psycho spiritual tool for conflict resolution
4.4. Tagore’s system of education; Sri Aurobindo’s integral education.
4.5. Organizational behavior and community work – Gita-based approaches to Organizational behavior. Life and Education – The Thirukkural approach

BOOKS FOR READING

1. Safaya, R. (1975). Indian Psychology. New Delhi: Munshi ram Manoharlal Publishers
2. Dalal, A.S. (Ed.) (2011). A greater psychology: An introduction to the psychological thought of Sri Aurobindo. New York: Penguin Putnam Inc.
3. Rao, K.R. & Paranjpe, A.C. (2016). Psychology in the Indian tradition: New Delhi: India:
   Springer Pvt. Ltd.
4. Kuppuswamy, B. (1990). Elements of ancient Indian psychology. Delhi: Konark Publishers
   PVT Ltd.
5. Cornelissan, M., Misra, and Verma, S. (2010). Foundations of Indian Psychology: Theories
   and Concepts. New Delhi: Pearson India.
6. Bhogal, R. S. (2006). Yoga and Modern Psychology. Kaivalya dham Ashram. Lonavala,
   Pune.