The Department of Psychology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, was established in May 1950, and was named as the DEPARTMENT OF EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY. Professor V. K. Kothurkar, an experimental psychologist trained at Cambridge University, was the founder and Head. The Department has a strong tradition in research and teaching. The Department was renamed as the Department of Psychology in the early eighties.

Approximately 1400 M.A. students have passed out and 75 students have been awarded Ph.D. degree from this Department. As the scope of applications of psychology is increasing everyday, teaching, research, and extension activities are also directed to applied work. Thus, the Department strives for a combination of pure and applied psychology. Considering the Indian scenario and the demand in the professional field the Department emphasizes an eclectic approach in teaching.

Research Areas

• Experimental psychology

• Experimental Personality research

• Five-Factor Model of Personality

• Mathematical psychology

• Clinical psychology

• Educational psychology

• Industrial and Organizational psychology

• Indian psychology

• Psychology of Stress

• Gender related issues

In the recent past, as a result of some concentrated research efforts, Five-Factor Model of personality has emerged as one of the thrust areas in the department.