The UPSC Civil Services Examination is one of the most prestigious and challenging competitive exams in India. To excel in the Mains stage of this examination, which is the second phase, candidates often choose an optional subject that aligns with their strengths and interests. Psychology, as an optional subject, has gained popularity over the years due to its interdisciplinary nature and the fact that it can be relatable to various aspects of general studies. To prepare effectively for UPSC Mains 2023, 2022, or any other year, aspirants must make judicious use of previous year papers. These papers offer invaluable insights into the exam pattern, question types, and the depth of knowledge required. For psychology optional, going through the previous year papers from 2013 to 2023 can help candidates understand the evolving trends, focus areas, and the level of proficiency expected by the UPSC examiners.
By analyzing the UPSC Mains psychology optional previous year papers from 2013 to 2023, aspirants can identify recurring themes and topics that are frequently asked, allowing them to prioritize their study efforts effectively. Moreover, these papers serve as excellent practice material for honing answer-writing skills, as they showcase the expected format, depth, and conciseness required for scoring well in the psychology optional paper. It’s essential for candidates to not only solve these papers but also to critically evaluate their responses to understand their strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, studying previous year papers can help candidates anticipate the kind of questions that might be asked in the upcoming exams and tailor their preparation accordingly. Overall, the strategic use of UPSC Mains psychology optional previous year papers is an indispensable tool for those aspiring to succeed in this demanding examination.
Question Paper Specific Instructions
- Please read each of the following instructions carefully before attempting questions :
- There are EIGHT questions divided in two SECTIONS and printed both in HINDI and in ENGLISH.
- Candidate has to attempt FIVE questions in all.
- Questions no. 1 and 5 are compulsory and out of the remaining, THREE are to be attempted choosing at least ONE from each section.
- The number of marks carried by a question / part is indicated against it.
- Answers must be written in the medium authorized in the Admission Certificate which must be stated clearly on the cover of this Question-cum-Answer (QCA) Booklet in the space provided. No marks will be given for answers written in a medium other than the authorized one.
- Word limit in questions, wherever specified, should be adhered to.
- Illustrate your answers with suitable sketches, maps and diagrams. These shall be drawn in the space provided for answering the question itself.
- Attempts of questions shall be counted in chronological order. Unless struck off, attempt of a question shall be counted even if attempted partly. Any page or portion of the page left blank in the answer book must be clearly struck off.
Psychology Optional Question Paper-1 (2020)
SECTION – A
1. Write short answers to the following in about 150 words each : 10×5=50 marks
(a) What is meant by social integration? How can religious harmony be promoted to attain social integration in the present scenario in India?
(b) Bring out the role of social agencies in the rehabilitation of persons suffering from substance abuse.
(c) Values cannot be fostered through TV and Mass Media. Critically evaluate the statement.
(d) What is meant by the glass ceiling effect? Discuss the factors that facilitated some women to break this glass ceiling. Illustrate some examples.
(e) Women in remote villages have been deprived of development-related benefits. What steps would you suggest to enable women to take advantage of these benefits?
2. (a) Explain the nature of diversity in today’s organizations in India. What steps should organizations take to manage diversity?
(b) What are the challenges in the development and uses of psychological tests? Illustrate with examples.
(c) Enumerate the major processes of psychological testing in educational settings and discuss ways in which psychological tests help both the teacher and the students.
3. (a) How does categorization as in-group and out-group influence social relations? How can such influence of categorization be minimized? Discuss with examples.
(b) Environmental degradation is a major issue. Explain what has led to this and how it has impacted the life of people and society in India.
(c) How media influences pro and antisocial behavior in India. Discuss one instance of prosocial behavior and one instance of antisocial behavior.
4. (a) How can psychology contribute to managing IT and mass media for ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’? Discuss.
(b) Who are juvenile delinquents? Discuss the steps involved in the rehabilitation and prevention of juvenile delinquency.
(c) What are the potential sources of stress for people working in research and development organizations? Discuss some individual and organizational approaches in these organizations to manage stress.
SECTION – B
5. Answer the following questions in 150 words:
(a) Explain the psychological conceptualization that helps in understanding economic development.
(b) How are indigenous therapies an alternative to classical insight therapies? Discuss.
(c) How has population growth impacted human and social lives? Discuss this in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.
(d) Discuss the factors that contribute to political behavior in organizations.
(e) In what ways are psychological tests better tools in assessing individual differences? Explain.
6. (a) Identify and discuss key elements contributing to effective social change in a marginalized community.
(b) On the basis of the psychology of motivation, write a program sketch for entrepreneurship development.
(c) Illustrate the basic tenets of psychodynamic and client-centered therapies. Discuss the effectiveness of these therapies as forms of treatment for mental disorders.
7. (a) What are some of the problems faced by defense personnel posted in tough terrain? Discuss how positive mental health can be promoted among them.
(b) Describe and evaluate techniques used in the training for memory development.
(c) Describe the symptoms of depression and mood disorders. Give an account of etiological factors and suggest the appropriate therapeutic treatment for these disorders.
8. (a) In the case of highly skilled professionals, does their motivation come from within or is it the result of situational factors? Explain this in the light of theories of motivation.
(b) How are schizophrenic disorders different from anxiety disorders? Explain with examples.
(c) Think of a social group that has been subjected to prolonged deprivation. In what ways has prolonged deprivation impacted the lives of people belonging to this group? Suggest ways to mitigate these effects.
Psychology Optional Question Paper-2 (2020)
SECTION – A
1. Write short answers to the following in about 150 words each
(a) What are the major features do clinicians use to interpret Rorschach responses?
(b) How does prior knowledge shape encoding in memory?
(c) Describe psychological and cognitive components of emotions.
(d) Discuss the reasons why rewards may backfire and not produce their intended results for behavior.
(e) Suggest some strategies for fostering values in Indian settings.
2. (a) What is the role of artificial intelligence in psychology? How can it be applied as an intervention in identifying different psychological abnormalities?
(b) Differentiate between metamemory and self-instructional learning. Elaborate your answer with suitable examples.
(c) Define the precursors of the development of item response theory. In what ways will it help in the advancement of the area of aptitude testing?
3. (a) Differentiate between exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. What is their significance in test construction? Elaborate your answer with suitable examples.
(b) Explain five most important perspectives to define human behavior.
(c) Describe the 3-stage model of memory with special emphasis on working memory.
4. (a) While playing cricket, Team-A got into a fight with Team-B. Discuss it in the context of the ‘realistic group conflict theory.’ How can conflict resolution strategies be used to manage and control such fights?
(b) How is quasi-experimental design different from experimental design? Describe different forms of quasi-experimental design with special emphasis on time series design.
(c) “Any sort of learning takes place with the help of suitable associations and reinforcement.” Critically examine how much cognitivists, Gestaltists, and evolutionary psychologists agree with the statement.
SECTION – B
5. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:
(a) How can a psychologist contribute to society during COVID-19?
(b) Describe brain plasticity and factors affecting it.
(c) Discuss the steps involved in effective communication training.
(d) How much do family and school environments contribute to intelligence?
(e) Explain the six primary emotions that can be identified from facial expressions.
6. (a) Differentiate between Erikson’s psychosocial and Freudian psychosocial theories. Also, explain the different virtues attached to each stage of the psychosocial theory.
(b) Explain the various assumptions and ways of performing regression analysis. Also, compare standardized and unstandardized beta coefficients with suitable examples.
(c) Repression is a motivated forgetting process that protects us by inhibiting anxiety-arousing memories. Explain its role in dissociation.
7. (a) Describe different personality assessment techniques and also highlight their strengths and weaknesses.
(b) How are physiological, neural, and cognitive changes associated with aging? Explain.
(c) How can the grounded theory approach help explore a layperson’s definition of happiness?
8. (a) Discuss in detail different attitude rating scales. How can we measure intergroup prejudice among students in the class using the Likert scale, and how can their behavior be rectified through moral education?
(b) Give details of facilitating and hindering factors in problem-solving. Answer the question by citing a suitable example.
(c) What are the different rules of language? Critically analyze the ‘critical period hypothesis’.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the significance of Psychology as an optional subject in UPSC Mains?
A1: Psychology is a popular optional subject in UPSC Mains because it offers a comprehensive understanding of human behavior, cognition, and the application of psychological principles in various real-world contexts. It enables candidates to approach social and administrative issues with a deeper insight into human psychology.
Q2: How many previous year papers of Psychology optional should I study for UPSC Mains?
A2: It’s advisable to study at least the last five years’ UPSC Mains Psychology optional papers. This will give you a good understanding of the question pattern, evolving trends, and the kind of questions that are frequently asked.
Q3: Are there any specific areas within Psychology that UPSC tends to focus on in the optional paper?
A3: While UPSC can ask questions from a broad range of psychology topics, some areas like developmental psychology, social psychology, and applied psychology are often emphasized. It’s important to have a strong foundation in these areas.
Q4: How can I effectively prepare for the Psychology optional paper in UPSC Mains?
A4: To prepare effectively, you should start by thoroughly understanding the syllabus, reading standard textbooks, and practicing answer writing. Additionally, consider enrolling in a reputable coaching program that specializes in Psychology as an optional subject.
Q5: Can I choose Psychology as an optional subject if I have no prior background in the field?
A5: Yes, you can choose Psychology as an optional subject even if you don’t have a background in the field. Many successful candidates have opted for this subject without prior knowledge. However, a strong dedication to studying and understanding the subject matter is essential for success in the UPSC Mains exam.
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