The M.A.(Psychology) degree programme is being offered by the School of Social Sciences of IGNOU.Psychology is the field of study that deals with human and animal behaviour. Psychology as an area of knowledge has found its application in various fields like health, industries, sports, military, forensic and so on. This is also one of the reasons why the subject attracts a large number of people who want to understand not only human behaviour in general, but also enhance their self awareness. Psychology can be termed as both arts and science because it employs scientific methods to study human beings.

The main essence of psychology is individual differences and the factors like genetics and environment (including culture) that make individuals different. It also focuses on the behaviour of individuals in different social settings. One of the main aspects of psychology that makes it different from other social science subject is psychological measurement. Various standardized tests and scales are developed in Psychology that can be used to measure psychological entities. Such tests can be used to measure intelligence, personality, attitude, aptitude, adjustment, self concept and so on.

Offering psychology in distance mode is a challenge due to its applied nature. At IGNOU, the Discipline of Psychology strives to offer programmes in psychology that includes components like practicum, internship and project so that the learners benefit with hands on practice and experience enhanced learning.

Keeping the above in view and the commitment of IGNOU to providing quality education at low costs to those who have for some reason or the other missed opportunities for further studies, the present programme caters to varied clientele, such as fresh graduate students as well as those who want to enter the employment arena and those already employed but do not possess the Masters’ Degree in Psychology. The aim of this programme is to give the learners a sound base in psychology and human behaviour through an indepth investigation into a broad range of psychological techniques and skills as applied to diverse settings.

Phone numbers for Psychology Programmes: 011- 29572707, 011-29572721,011-29572761,011-29572781,011-29572757

 content awaited

Teleconferencing

Teleconferencing is a one-way video and two-way audio facility. Teleconferencing areheld every month. During teleconferencing session, you will get an opportunity to interact by phone in facility or fax with the resource persons/experts who participate in teleconferencing session and clear your doubts immediately.

The teleconferencing facility will be available at the Regional Centre and Selected Study Centres. The teleconferencing schedule will be sent to the Programme In-charge and Regional Director who would inform the students. Teleconferencing is done through GyanDarshan Channel. Learners must regularly attend these sessions. These will help them clarify doubts and interact with other learners all over the country.

Radio Counselling

Radio counselling will be held through FM and students can ask questions free of cost with phone in facilities right from their homes. A toll free telephone number 110012345 has been provided for this purpose.

Telecast

The Programme will also be telecast through DD Metro channel and schedule will be informed to students in advance.

• Audio-video Programme
• Audio and video programmes for each course have been prepared to support learning for the learners. These Audio-video programmes in the form of cassettes are available at all Programme Study Centres. These Audio and video cassettes will be provided for viewing and listening. They can also hire the cassettes for viewing and listening.

• Attendance
Learners are required to attend classes at the study centers. 100% attendance is required in counseling sessions of practicum courses conducted at study centers to become eligible for appearing in practical term end examination.

• Continuous Evaluation of Theory Component

• Assignments

Assignment is a means of continuing assessment of theory and practical. Assignments will help you to recapitulate the theory and go back to the text again in case students are unable to answer a particular question. Thus assignments also help to reinforce learning. These assignments consist of a set of questions and activities that you will answer at your own place by referring your blocks.Assignments should be answered in your own words and should be handwritten and not typed.

The assignments will cover all types of questions (long answer type, short answer type, objective type, multiple choice questions and case studies). The assignments will carry thirty percent weightage. Students will be required to obtain forty percent marks as pass percentage in each assignment separately. Each assignment will carry 100 marks. In the final result assignments will carry thirty percent weightage.

• Internship
Internship. It is of 240 hours duration during which the learner needs to deal with 10 case studies/ activities which are to be carried out at organization/agency/institution, as per the criteria given in the handbook of internship. A detailed report of the internship is to be prepared by the learners which will consist of all observation and activities done.

• Project
Project is yet another important component of MA Second Year. Successful completion of MPC 005 and MPC 006 is a pre-requisite for submission of project synopsis. The synopsis has to be prepared by the learner as per the format given in the handbook of project under the guidance of the supervisor. The project synopsis will be evaluated by the faculty of the discipline of Psychology, SOSS, IGNOUHqrs.

• Term-end Examination
As stated earlier, term-end examination is the major component of the evaluation system and it carries seventy percent weightage in the Final result. The University conducts term-end examination twice a year i.e., in June and December. They can take the examination only after completion of the course, failing which students can take the same in December or June of subsequent years within the total span of the programme. In case any student fail to get a pass score in the Tern-end Examination, the person will be eligible to reappear at the next Term-end Examination for that course as and when if is held, within the total span of the Programme.