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 (2017)
SECTION – A
1. Write short answers to the following in about 150 words each
(a) Describe how you used psychology to solve a social problem.
(b) Distinguish between negative reinforcement and punishment. Do you think punishment is an effective way to modify behaviour?
(c) In a study, the number of students intake in a college correlated very highly with violence. Explain the research finding.
(d) Do you think subliminal messages can actually lead to significant changes in attitudes or behaviour? Cite research evidence.
(e) Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour. Evaluate.
2. (a) Why do we forget? Differentiate between anterograde and retrograde amnesia.
(b) How can you use ‘Focus Group Discussion’ to promote use of toilets in rural areas?
(c) How would you apply Operant Conditioning technique for toilet training to a 3-year-old boy?
3. (a) Whatever we are, it is because of Genes. Discuss.
(b) Which research design would you apply to prove that a particular method of teaching yields best results? Describe.
(c) How are we able to perceive the world in three dimensions when our eyes are capable of sensing only two-dimensional images?
4. (a) Evaluate “interview” as a method of data collection.
(b) Explain the role of meaningfulness and emotional arousal in encoding. Discuss the implications of encoding specificity principle.
(c) Explain the differences in information processing at various levels of memory. In what way is recall affected by initial processing of information?
SECTION – B
5. Answer each of the following questions in about 150 words:
(a) Creative people usually have high IQ scores but those with the highest IQ scores are not necessarily the most creative people. Explain.
(b) Critically evaluate Noam Chomsky’s theory of transformational grammar.
(c) Drug addiction is just a maladaptive behavior. Like other behavior, it can be easily changed. Discuss.
(d) What is paradoxical in REM sleep? How active is a person during different stages of sleep?
(e) Explain different types of reasoning processes used in problem solving with their strengths and limitations.
6. (a) According to Gardner’s theory, there is no one kind of general intelligence for ranking individuals. Explain.
(b) A young person helped a visually impaired woman to cross the road. He explained his action saying that he has a positive attitude towards such persons. Did his attitude determine his behavior or the behavior determine his attitude? Explain.
(c) Explain the importance of Critical Periods in language development. In what ways are bilingualism and cognitive development related?
7. (a) Which needs should one be high on to be a successful entrepreneur? Explain based on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.
(b) Can we do justice to measuring personality by projective and objective tests? Discuss.
(c) Why do some people behave aggressively towards those who defy social norms? How can such aggressive behaviors be changed?
8. (a) Can we determine a person’s academic performance based only on an IQ score? Explain.
(b) How do we explain self-defeating behavior of a person from the Humanistic perspective?
(c) People emphasize personal traits more than situational factors. Evaluate the statement.
Psychology Optional Question Paper-2 (2018)
SECTION – A
1. Write short answers to the following in about 150 words each
(a) Describe how you used psychology to solve a social problem.
(b) Distinguish between negative reinforcement and punishment. Do you think punishment is an effective way to modify behavior?
(c) In a study, the number of students intake in a college correlated very highly with violence. Explain the research finding.
(d) Do you think subliminal messages can actually lead to significant changes in attitudes or behavior? Cite research evidence.
(e) Psychology is the scientific study of behavior. Evaluate.
2. (a) Why do we forget? Differentiate between anterograde and retrograde amnesia.
(b) How can you use ‘Focus Group Discussion’ to promote use of toilets in rural areas?
(c) How would you apply Operant Conditioning technique for toilet training to a 3-year-old boy?
3. (a) Whatever we are, it is because of Genes. Discuss.
(b) Which research design would you apply to prove that a particular method of teaching yields best results? Describe.
(c) How are we able to perceive the world in three dimensions when our eyes are capable of sensing only two-dimensional images?
4. (a) Evaluate “interview” as a method of data collection.
(b) Explain the role of meaningfulness and emotional arousal in encoding. Discuss the implications of encoding specificity principle.
(c) Explain the differences in information processing at various levels of memory. In what way is recall affected by initial processing of information?
SECTION – B
5. Answer each of the following questions in about 150 words:
(a) Creative people usually have high IQ scores but those with the highest IQ scores are not necessarily the most creative people. Explain.
(b) Critically evaluate Noam Chomsky’s theory of transformational grammar.
(c) Drug addiction is just a maladaptive behavior. Like other behavior, it can be easily changed. Discuss.
(d) What is paradoxical in REM sleep? How active is a person during different stages of sleep?
(e) Explain different types of reasoning processes used in problem-solving with their strengths and limitations.
6. (a) According to Gardner’s theory, there is no one kind of general intelligence for ranking individuals. Explain.
(b) A young person helped a visually impaired woman to cross the road. He explained his action, saying that he has a positive attitude towards such persons. Did his attitude determine his behavior or the behavior determine his attitude? Explain.
(c) Explain the importance of Critical Periods in language development. In what ways are bilingualism and cognitive development related?
7. (a) Which needs should one be high on to be a successful entrepreneur? Explain on the basis of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.
(b) Can we do justice to measuring personality by projective and objective tests? Discuss.
(c) Why do some people behave aggressively towards those who defy social norms? How can such aggressive behaviors be changed?
8. (a) Can we determine a person’s academic performance based only on IQ score? Explain.
(b) How do we explain self-defeating behavior of a person from the Humanistic perspective?
(c) People emphasize personal traits more than situational factors. Evaluate the statement.
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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