The UPSC offers Psychology as one of the optional subjects among the 48 subjects available for candidates to choose from. The syllabus for Psychology in the UPSC exam is highly specialized and covers a diverse range of topics, including psychological theories, cognitive processes, developmental psychology, social psychology, and abnormal psychology.
Candidates who opt for Psychology as their optional subject will have to appear for two papers, each carrying 250 marks, resulting in a total of 500 marks for this subject. These optional papers form a crucial part of the UPSC Mains Examination, which takes place after the IAS Preliminary exam. While Psychology may not be as commonly chosen as some other subjects for the IAS Mains exam, candidates with a graduation degree or a strong background in Psychology have the opportunity to select it as their preferred optional subject.
Psychology Optional Syllabus: Paper-1
Foundations of Psychology
1. Introduction:
- Definition of Psychology;
- Historical antecedents of Psychology and trends in the 21st century;
- Psychology and scientific methods;
- Psychology about other social sciences and natural sciences;
- Application of Psychology to Societal Problems.
2. Methods of Psychology:
- Types of research: Descriptive, evaluative, diagnostic, and prognostic;
- Methods of Research: Survey, observation, case study and experiments;
- Characteristics of experimental design and non-experimental design, Quasi-experimental designs; Focussed group discussions, brainstorming, grounded theory approach.
3. Research Methods:
- Major steps in Psychological research (problem statement, hypothesis formulation, research designs, sampling, tools of data collection, analysis and interpretation, and report writing)
- Fundamental versus applied research;
- Methods of data collection (interview, observation, questionnaire);
- Research designs (ex-post facto and experimental);
- Application of statistical technique (t-test, two-way ANOVA correlation, regression and factor analysis);
- Item response theory.
4. Development of Human Behaviour:
- Growth and development; Principles of development,
- Role of genetic and environmental factors in determining human behavior;
- Influence of cultural factors in socialization;
- Life span development – Characteristics, development tasks, promoting psychological well-being across major stages of the life span.
5. Sensation, Attention, and Perception:
- Sensation: concepts of threshold, absolute and difference thresholds, signal-detection, and vigilance;
- Factors influencing attention include set and characteristics of stimulus;
- Definition and concept of perception, biological factors in perception;
- Perceptual organization influence of past experiences, perceptual defence factors influencing space and depth perception, size estimation, and perceptual readiness;
- The plasticity of perception;
- Extrasensory perception;
- Culture and perception,
- Subliminal perception.
6. Learning:
- Concept and theories of learning (Behaviourists, Gestaltalists and Information processing models);
- The Processes of extinction, discrimination, and generalization;
- Programmed learning, probability learning, self-instructional learning, concepts;
- Types and the schedules of reinforcement, escape, avoidance and punishment, modeling, and social learning.
7. Memory:
- Encoding and remembering;
- Short-term memory, Long term memory, Sensory memory, Iconic memory, Echoic memory:
- The Multistore model, levels of processing; Organization, and Mnemonic techniques to improve memory;
- Theories of forgetting: decay, interference and retrieval failure: Metamemory;
- Amnesia: Anterograde and retrograde.
8. Thinking and Problem Solving:
- Piaget’s theory of cognitive development;
- Concept formation processes; Information processing, Reasoning and problem solving, Facilitating and hindering factors in problem solving,
- Methods of problem-solving: Creative thinking and fostering creativity; Factors influencing decision making and judgment;
- Recent trends.
9. Motivation and Emotion:
- Psychological and physiological basis of motivation and emotion;
- Measurement of motivation and emotion;
- Effects of motivation and emotion on behavior; Extrinsic and intrinsic motivation;
- Factors influencing intrinsic motivation;
- Emotional competence and the related issues.
10. Intelligence and Aptitude:
- Concept of intelligence and aptitude,
- Nature and theories of intelligence – Spearman, Thurstone, Guilford Vernon, Sternberg and J.P; Das;
- Emotional Intelligence, Social intelligence, measurement of intelligence and aptitudes,
- concept of IQ, deviation IQ, constancy of IQ; Measurement of multiple intelligence;
- Fluid intelligence and crystallized intelligence.
11. Personality:
- Definition and concept of personality;
- Theories of personality (psychoanalytical, sociocultural, interpersonal, developmental, humanistic, behaviouristic, trait and type approaches);
- Measurement of personality (projective tests, pencil-paper test);
- The Indian approach to personality;
- Training for personality development;
- Latest approaches like big 5 factor theory;
- The notion of self in different traditions.
12. Attitudes, Values, and Interests:
- Definition of attitudes, values, and interests;
- Components of attitudes; Formation and maintenance of attitudes;
- Measurement of attitudes, values and interests;
- Theories of attitude change; Strategies for fostering values;
- Formation of stereotypes and prejudices; Changing other’s behaviour;
- Theories of attribution;
- Recent trends.
13. Language and Communication:
- Human language – Properties, structure and linguistic hierarchy, Language acquisition- predisposition, critical period hypothesis;
- Theories of language development – Skinner and Chomsky; Process and types of communication – effective communication training.
14. Issues and Perspectives in Modern Contemporary Psychology:
- Computer application in the psychological laboratory and psychological testing;
- Artificial intelligence; Psychocybernetics;
- Study of consciousness-sleep-wake schedules; dreams, stimulus deprivation, meditation, hypnotic/drug-induced states;
- Extrasensory perception; Intersensory perception Simulation studies.
Psychology Optional Syllabus: Paper-2
Psychology: Issues and Applications
1. Psychological Measurement of Individual Differences:
- The nature of individual differences;
- Characteristics and construction of standardized psychological tests;
- Types of psychological tests;
- Use, misuse, and limitation of psychological tests;
- Ethical issues in the use of psychological tests.
2. Psychological well-being and Mental Disorders:
- Concept of health-ill health;
- Positive health, well-being;
- Causal factors in mental disorders (Anxiety disorders, mood disorders, schizophrenia, and delusional disorders;
- personality disorders, substance abuse disorders);
- Factors influencing positive health, well-being, lifestyle and quality of life;
- Happiness disposition.
3. Therapeutic Approaches:
- Psychodynamic therapies;
- Behavior therapies;
- Client-centered therapy;
- Cognitive therapies;
- Indigenous therapies (Yoga, Meditation);
- Bio-feedback therapy;
- Prevention and rehabilitation of the mentally ill;
- Fostering mental health.
4. Work Psychology and Organisational Behaviour:
- Personnel selection and training; Use of psychological tests in the industry;
- Training and human resource development;
- Theories of work motivation – Herzberg, Maslow, Adam Equity theory, Porter and Lawler, Vroom;
- Leadership and participatory management;
- Advertising and marketing;
- Stress and its management;
- Ergonomics; consumer psychology;
- Managerial effectiveness;
- Transformational leadership;
- Sensitivity training;
- Power and politics in organizations.
5. Application of Psychology to Educational Field:
- Psychological principles underlying effective teaching-learning process;
- Learning styles; Gifted, retarded, learning disabled and their training;
- Training for improving memory and better academic achievement;
- Personality development and value education, Educational, vocational guidance, and career counseling;
- Use of psychological tests in educational institutions;
- Effective strategies in guidance programs.
6. Community Psychology:
- Definition and concept of community psychology;
- Use of small groups in social action; Arousing community consciousness and action for handling social problems;
- Group decision making and leadership for social change; Effective strategies for social change.
7. Rehabilitation Psychology:
- Primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention programs of psychologists;
- Organizing services for the rehabilitation of physically, mentally, and socially challenged persons including old persons, Rehabilitation of persons suffering from substance abuse, juvenile delinquency, and criminal behavior;
- Rehabilitation of victims of violence, Rehabilitation of HIV/AIDS victims, the role of social agencies.
8. Application of Psychology to disadvantaged groups:
- The concepts of disadvantaged, deprivation; Social, physical, cultural, and economic consequences of disadvantaged and deprived groups;
- Educating and motivating the disadvantaged towards development; Relative and prolonged deprivation.
9. Psychological problems of social integration:
- The concept of social integration;
- The problem of caste, class, religion, and language conflicts and prejudice;
- Nature and manifestation of prejudice between the in-group and out-group;
- Causal factors of social conflicts and prejudices;
- Psychological strategies for handling the conflicts and prejudices;
- Measures to achieve social integration.
10. Application of Psychology in Information Technology and Mass Media:
- The present scenario of information technology and the mass media boom and the role of psychologists;
- Selection and training of psychology professionals to work in the field of IT and mass media;
- Distance learning through IT and mass media;
- Entrepreneurship through e-commerce;
- Multilevel marketing; Impact of TV and fostering value through IT and mass media;
- Psychological consequences of recent developments in Information Technology.
11. Psychology and Economic development:
- Achievement motivation and economic development;
- Characteristics of entrepreneurial behavior;
- Motivating and training people for entrepreneurship and economic development;
- Consumer rights and consumer awareness,
- Government policies for the promotion of entrepreneurship among youth including women entrepreneurs.
12. Application of psychology to environment and related fields:
- Environmental psychology-effects of noise, pollution, and crowding;
- Population psychology: psychological consequences of population explosion and high population density;
- Motivating for small family norm;
- Impact of rapid scientific and technological growth on degradation of the environment.
13. Application of psychology in other fields:
- Military Psychology Devising psychological tests for defense personnel for use in selection, Training, and counseling; training psychologists to work with defense personnel in promoting positive health; Human engineering in defense.
- Sports Psychology Psychological interventions in improving the performance of athletes and sports. Persons participating in Individual and Team Games.
- Media influences on pro and antisocial behavior.
- Psychology of terrorism.
14. Psychology of Gender:
- Issues of discrimination,
- Management of diversity;
- Glass ceiling effect,
- Self-fulfilling prophesy,
- Women and Indian society
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
FAQ: What are the core topics covered in the psychology optional syllabus for UPSC?
Answer: The psychology optional syllabus for UPSC covers a wide range of topics, including:
- Paper I: Foundations of Psychology, Methods of Psychology, Research Methods, Development of Human Behavior, Sensation, Attention, and Perception, Learning, Memory, Thinking, and Problem Solving, Motivation and Emotion.
- Paper II: Social Influence and Group Processes, Human Abilities, Personality, Intelligence, Psychology and Education, Attitudes, Applications of Psychology to the Problems of Society, Clinical Psychology, Mental Disorders, and Psychotherapies.Understanding these topics is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of psychological principles and their applications.
FAQ: Is a background in psychology necessary to choose psychology as an optional subject for UPSC?
Answer: No, a formal background in psychology is not mandatory to choose psychology as an optional subject for UPSC. The syllabus is designed to accommodate candidates from diverse educational backgrounds. However, a genuine interest in understanding human behavior and a willingness to study the subject thoroughly are essential for success. Many successful candidates have excelled in the psychology optional even without a prior academic background in psychology.
FAQ: How can I effectively prepare for the psychology optional paper in UPSC?
Answer: Effective preparation for the psychology optional paper involves the following:
- Thoroughly understand the syllabus: Familiarize yourself with the entire syllabus to identify key areas of focus.
- Create a study plan: Develop a well-structured study plan that allocates sufficient time to cover each topic thoroughly.
- Refer to standard textbooks: Utilize standard textbooks recommended for the UPSC psychology optional syllabus to build a strong foundation.
- Practice answer writing: Practice answering previous years’ question papers and participate in mock tests to enhance your writing skills and time management.
- Stay updated: Keep yourself updated with the latest developments in the field of psychology and relevant research studies.
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