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 (2014)
SECTION – A
1. Write short answers to the following in about 150 words each : 10×5=50 marks
(a) Distinguish between ‘social learning’ and ‘conditioning
(b) Explain the concept of ‘sensory adaptation’ and discuss its uses in day-to-day life.
(c) Present an outline of the ecological perspective as an innovative approach to facilitate developmental outcomes.
(d) Describe the uses of factor analysis in psychological research and indicate different types of rotations used in it.
(e) In what ways ‘within factorial design’ differs from ‘between factorial design”?
2.(A) Distinguish between single-process theory and dual-process theory of short-term memory.
(b) What psychological techniques can be used to enhance cleanliness in public places?
(c) What are the multivariate techniques used in psychological research? Indicate their uses.
3. (a) What are the various kinds of threats to the validity of experimental research? Illustrate your answer with the help of examples
(b) What are the distinctive features of probability learning? How useful is it in real life? 15
(c) Is perception a constructive process? Explain in the light of studies on illusions and constancies.
4. (a) Do you think that natural sciences provide a good model for psychological studies? Give arguments in favour of your answer.
(b) Discuss the main aspects of cognitive and moral development during adolescence.
(c) What is the role of constructive and reconstructive processes in human memory ? Explain.
SECTION – B
5. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:
(a) What are the main types of meditation? Describe their effects on cognitive functioning.
(b) Describe the problems in the assessment of intelligence of children with: special needs.
(c) Discuss the role of various neural and physiological processes in emotional experiences
(d) What has been learned through experiments about the strategies and knowledge base of experts? Discuss.
(e) Is self-serving bias universal in attribution process? Comment.
6.(a) How is self related to culture? Discuss in the light of studies on self-construal and individualism-collectivism.
(b) Commenting on bilingualism and multilingualism in the Indian context, outline a language policy relevant to schooling.
(c) Compare the limits of artificial intelligence and human information processing system. Discuss their implications for human performance.
7. (a) Briefly discuss the evolution of psychoanalytic theory as reflected in the works of Fromm, Erikson and Sudhir Kakar.
(b) What is meant by rule learning? Describe some important rules along with description of the concepts related to each rule.
(c) What is the role of cognitive factors in determining emotional functioning? Discuss.
8. (a) What are the key components of emotional intelligence? How can parents and teachers help facilitate its development in school-going children?
(b) Discuss the roots of gender-related prejudice in the Indian society. Why is it so resistant ?
(c) Considering some successful advertisements witnessed by you, describe the key factors that enhance the effectiveness of communication.
Psychology Optional Question Paper-2 (2014)
SECTION – A
1. Write short answers to the following in about 150 words each : 10×5=50 marks
(a) What factors can impede fair assessment of individual differences ? Examine in the light of research evidence.
(b) What is meant by unconditional positive regard?
(c) Which rehabilitative strategies can be employed by the organisations to handle the workplace violence?
(d) Explain how the creation of superordinate goals can help in resolving social conflicts.
(E) What social and psychological factors come in the way of population control in India ?
2. (a) What different types of norms will a psychologist need to develop a test of general mental ability for use in India?
(b) Discuss the implications of employing group decision-making in issues involving development in the Indian cultural context.
(c) Explain psychological characteristics of a successful entrepreneur.
3. (a) Discuss how happiness may influence psychological well-being and health.
(b) What psychological conditions keep the poor in a socially disadvantaged state ?
(c) What psychological motives have retarded economic development in India, according to some psychologists ? Discuss.
4.(a) What psychological factors keep the group of terrorists cohesive ?
(b) What psychological knowledge will you put to use for social inclusion of the stigmatized ?
(c) Can leaders be trained? What will be the essential components of a leadership training programme for the civil servants?
SECTION – B
5. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:
(a) How will you distinguish between anxiety and mood disorders?
(b) To what extent, do you think that the principles of management derived from the study of industrial organisations can be applied to improve the functioning of bureaucratic organisations in India?
(c) Enumerate the factors that can impact upon the teaching-learning process in rural India..
(d) As a psychologist, develop a programme to bring about attitudinal change in favour of small family norm.
(e) What role can mental imagery play in enhancing the performance of sportspersons ? Discuss.
6. (A) What therapy will be most efficacious in case of someone who is suffering from depression? Give reasons in support of your answer.
(b) State the challenges the psychologists are likely to face in the rehabilitation of criminals.
(c) What psychological knowledge can be used to develop a programme for women entrepreneurs?
7. (A) How can teachers help in meeting the educational needs of a child suffering from ADHD?
(b) How can the adverse consequences of social disadvantage be alleviated?
(c) What is the purpose of item analysis? How would you carry it out for a test of aptitude?
8. (a) Discuss the theoretical bases of behaviouristic approaches of psychotherapy.
(b) What are gender stereotypes in India? How do they feed into gender discrimination ?
(c) What are the psychological disadvantages of learning in the distant mode through IT compared to classroom learning?
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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