Are you an aspiring civil servant preparing for the UPSC Mains examination with psychology as your optional subject? If so, you’ve landed in the right place. In this comprehensive blog series, we’re going to delve into the world of previous year questions from the Motivation and Emotion section of the UPSC Mains Psychology optional paper, spanning a decade from 2013 to 2023. This topic is a cornerstone of psychology, exploring the complex facets of human behavior and the driving forces behind it. By revisiting past questions, we aim to help you gain a deeper understanding of the subject, fine-tune your exam strategy, and boost your confidence for this crucial examination.
Motivation and Emotion are integral components of human psychology, and understanding them is pivotal for any civil servant. Over the years, the UPSC has posed a wide range of questions in this domain, and by dissecting these questions and their corresponding answers, we aim to provide you with valuable insights. Whether you’re a psychology enthusiast or a UPSC aspirant looking to enhance your understanding of this optional subject, this blog series will prove to be an invaluable resource. So, let’s embark on this enlightening journey through the annals of psychology and explore the intriguing questions on motivation and emotion that have appeared in UPSC Mains over the past decade.
Motivation and Emotion Psychology – Previous Year Questions (UPSC CSE Mains Psychology Optional)
1. Discuss the constituents of emotional intelligence.
2. Discuss the role of cognition in experiencing emotion in the light of experimental studies.
3. How does arousal theory explain human motivation?
4. What is the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation? Explain with the help of examples.
5. What are the functions of emotions?
6. Is facial expression of emotion innate or acquired ? Support your answer with suitable evidence.
7. Evaluate various factors which influence intrinsic motivation.
8. How would you measure emotion of an individual ? Discuss the effect of emotion on behaviour.
9. Bring out the role of left and right hemispheres in emotional experience.
10. What is intrinsic motivation ? Why it gets reduced if the person gets external reward for undertaking a task that he or she loves ?
11. Explain psychological characteristics of a successful entrepreneur.
12. What psychological motives have retarded economic development in India, according to some psychologists ? Discuss.
13. How will you distinguish between anxiety and mood disorders ?
14. Bring out the disruption in retrieval processes due to anxiety, context and repression.
15. Distinguish between extrinsic and intrinsic motivation. Which one is more powerful and why ?
16. Discuss the brain mechanisms underlying hunger motive.
17. Explain motivational concepts with reference to homeostatic models.
18. Explain the role of meaningfulness and emotional arousal in encoding. Discuss the implications of encoding specificity principle.
19. Why do some people behave aggressively towards those who defy social norms ? How can such aggressive behaviours be changed ?
20. Which needs should one be high on to be a successful entrepreneur ? Explain on the basis of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.
21. Are emotionally competent people internally controlled? Explain. What are the ways to enhance intrinsic motivation of young adults?
22. How do env factors determine the sensation of hunger? Illustrate with e.g.
23. What in acheivement motivation? Discuss the projective technique as a method for assessing achievement motivation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is Psychology a popular optional subject for UPSC Mains?
A: Yes, Psychology is a relatively popular optional subject for the UPSC Mains examination. Many aspirants choose it due to its practical applications and its relevance in understanding human behavior, which can be beneficial in various administrative roles.
Q: What is the syllabus for the Psychology optional paper in UPSC Mains?
A: The UPSC paper comprises two papers, Paper-I and Paper-II. Paper-I covers topics such as the fundamentals of psychology, human development, and social psychology. Paper-II includes subjects like psychological testing, motivation, and environmental psychology, among others.
Q: How can I effectively prepare for the Psychology optional paper in UPSC Mains?
A: To prepare for the paper, it’s essential to understand the syllabus thoroughly. Reading standard textbooks, practicing previous year questions, and seeking guidance from experienced educators or mentors can greatly enhance your preparation.
Q: What is the significance of previous year questions for UPSC Psychology optional?
A: Previous year questions are crucial for preparation as they help candidates understand the exam’s pattern and focus areas. Analyzing these questions can guide you in tailoring your study strategy and mastering the subject.
Q: Are there any career prospects with a Psychology optional paper in UPSC?
A: Yes, there are career prospects beyond the UPSC examination with a background in this subject. The knowledge gained from studying psychology can be valuable in various administrative and policymaking roles, especially when dealing with issues related to human behavior, public health, education, and social welfare.
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