Course

Unit 1

Human Development and Behavior – Stages of development: Pre-natal, Infancy and Babyhood, Early childhood, Late Childhood, Puberty, Adolescence, Adulthood; Indian scriptures on human development- Shodasa Samaskaras, Four Ashrams of Human Life

Unit 2

Psyco-social development- Parenting and Adolescence – Effective parenting, Parenting Styles, Understanding the – emotional and behavioural problems of children and adolescents. Adolescent wellbeing, Psychosocial interventions- Role of family in wellbeing. Learning theories; Social Perception – attitude, prejudice, stereotyping, group behavior; Conflict, motivation and personality development

Unit 3

Psycho-Social care – Conceptual clarity, definition, significance, scope of psychosocial care in professional social work, Identification of Psycho-social needs, case study analysis, individual, family and societal levels, Psycho-social intervention among individuals, groups and community level. Skills and techniques in providing psycho-social care, AI intervention strategies.

Unit 4

Counselling Concepts and Stages – Concept and definition, elements, characteristics, goals, Historical evolution as a profession, Scope and Significance, Client Counsellor Relationship, skills in counselling, Qualities of a counsellor, characteristics of the client, Values and professional ethics in counselling, checklist for a counsellor. Dos and Don’ts in counselling.  Lay counseling. Ethical dilemmas in lay counselling vs. professional counselling; Stages in counselling. Counselling and digital ethics, Online counselling challenges and prospects.

Unit 5

Techniques and Settings – Techniques of Counselling, Mindfulness, Healthy Defense Mechanisms, Counseling in various settings, focusing on the strengths and resources of the client. community counselling.

Text Books / References

Textbooks:

1. Ashford, J.B, Lecroy, C.W. & Lortie, K.L Human Behavior in the Social Environment: A Multidimensional Perspective. (2^ndEdition) Belmont, CA, Wadsworth/ Thomson Learning 2001.
2. Baron, Robert A. ‘Psychology’, New Delhi: Prentice- Hall of India 2004.
3. Hurlock, Elizabeth ‘Developmental Psychology: a life Span Approach’, New Delhi: Tata McGraw Publishing Company Ltd 2003.
4. Sekar, K., Parthasarathy, K., Muralidhar, D., & Chandrasekar Rao, M. (eds.) (2007) ‘Handbook of Psychiatric Social Work’. 1st edition. Nimhans publications.

Suggested Readings:

1. Srivastava, C., Dhingra, V., Bhardwaj, A., & Srivastava, A. (2013). Morality and moral development: Traditional Hindu concepts, Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 55(Suppl 2), 283-287. Retrieved from [https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3705697/]
2. IASC (2007). ‘Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings’ [Online].http://www.who.int/mental_health/emergencies/guidelines_iasc_mental_health_psychosocipdf [Accessed 31st September 2010]
3. Sitholey, P., Agarwal, V., & Vrat, S. (2013). Indian mental concepts on children and adolescents. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 55(Suppl 2), 277-282. Retrieved from [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3705696/]

This course has been contextualized and embedded in the broader perspective of life span development and conceptualization of psychosocial care. It gives awareness about social and psychological problems faced in general and prepares the student to face everyday challenges by exposing him/her to coping strategies as a Professional Social Worker.

Course Objectives:

1. To provide a strong foundation in the basic concepts of psychology and its various theoretical perspectives.
2. To develop an in-depth understanding of lifespan development, covering human growth, learning, and adaptation from conception through late adulthood.
3. To understand psycho-social needs and care, along with intervention strategies and techniques essential for effective professional practice.
4. To build skills for effective interaction with supervisory and managerial personnel, particularly in training, counseling, communication, and problem-solving contexts.

Course outcomes:

1. Demonstrate a clear understanding of key psychological concepts, theories, and psychosocial perspectives essential for analysing human behaviour across the lifespan.
2. Explain major stages of lifespan development and assess how biological, psychological, Social and environmental factors influence human growth, learning, and adjustment.
3. Identify psychosocial needs and apply appropriate intervention strategies, including supportive and developmental approaches, in diverse practice settings.
4. Apply basic counselling techniques and demonstrate effective communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills required for professional psychosocial support and guidance.

Course Outcome Mapping and Program Outcome Mapping.