{"id":13986,"date":"2023-10-29T16:15:39","date_gmt":"2023-10-29T16:15:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/?p=13986"},"modified":"2023-10-29T16:15:41","modified_gmt":"2023-10-29T16:15:41","slug":"upsc-mains-2017-psychology-optional-previous-year-paper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-mains-2017-psychology-optional-previous-year-paper\/","title":{"rendered":"UPSC MAINS 2017 &#8211; Psychology Optional Previous Year Paper"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/books\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1320\" height=\"416\" src=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/L0DSjolptRXUxybz9hFq0TESMnSeCYa4N6uPyerj.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9542\" srcset=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/L0DSjolptRXUxybz9hFq0TESMnSeCYa4N6uPyerj.png 1320w, https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/L0DSjolptRXUxybz9hFq0TESMnSeCYa4N6uPyerj-1170x369.png 1170w, https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/L0DSjolptRXUxybz9hFq0TESMnSeCYa4N6uPyerj-585x184.png 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1320px) 100vw, 1320px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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&#8217;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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_73 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69e7bfff806c2\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69e7bfff806c2\"  \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-2' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-mains-2017-psychology-optional-previous-year-paper\/#Question_Paper_Specific_Instructions\" title=\"Question Paper Specific Instructions\">Question Paper Specific Instructions<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-mains-2017-psychology-optional-previous-year-paper\/#Psychology_Optional_Question_Paper-1_2017\" title=\"Psychology Optional Question Paper-1 (2017)\">Psychology Optional Question Paper-1 (2017)<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-2' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-mains-2017-psychology-optional-previous-year-paper\/#SECTION_%E2%80%93_A\" title=\"SECTION &#8211; A\">SECTION &#8211; A<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-mains-2017-psychology-optional-previous-year-paper\/#SECTION_%E2%80%93_B\" title=\"SECTION &#8211; B\">SECTION &#8211; B<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-mains-2017-psychology-optional-previous-year-paper\/#Psychology_Optional_Question_Paper-2_2018\" title=\"Psychology Optional Question Paper-2 (2018)\">Psychology Optional Question Paper-2 (2018)<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-2' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-mains-2017-psychology-optional-previous-year-paper\/#SECTION_%E2%80%93_A-2\" title=\"SECTION &#8211; A\">SECTION &#8211; A<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-mains-2017-psychology-optional-previous-year-paper\/#SECTION_%E2%80%93_B-2\" title=\"SECTION &#8211; B\">SECTION &#8211; B<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-mains-2017-psychology-optional-previous-year-paper\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs\" title=\"Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)\">Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-mains-2017-psychology-optional-previous-year-paper\/#Q1_What_is_the_significance_of_Psychology_as_an_optional_subject_in_UPSC_Mains\" title=\"Q1: What is the significance of Psychology as an optional subject in UPSC Mains?\">Q1: What is the significance of Psychology as an optional subject in UPSC Mains?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-mains-2017-psychology-optional-previous-year-paper\/#Q2_How_many_previous_year_papers_of_Psychology_optional_should_I_study_for_UPSC_Mains\" title=\"Q2: How many previous year papers of Psychology optional should I study for UPSC Mains?\">Q2: How many previous year papers of Psychology optional should I study for UPSC Mains?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-mains-2017-psychology-optional-previous-year-paper\/#Q3_Are_there_any_specific_areas_within_Psychology_that_UPSC_tends_to_focus_on_in_the_optional_paper\" title=\"Q3: Are there any specific areas within Psychology that UPSC tends to focus on in the optional paper?\">Q3: Are there any specific areas within Psychology that UPSC tends to focus on in the optional paper?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-mains-2017-psychology-optional-previous-year-paper\/#Q4_How_can_I_effectively_prepare_for_the_Psychology_optional_paper_in_UPSC_Mains\" title=\"Q4: How can I effectively prepare for the Psychology optional paper in UPSC Mains?\">Q4: How can I effectively prepare for the Psychology optional paper in UPSC Mains?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-mains-2017-psychology-optional-previous-year-paper\/#Q5_Can_I_choose_Psychology_as_an_optional_subject_if_I_have_no_prior_background_in_the_field\" title=\"Q5: Can I choose Psychology as an optional subject if I have no prior background in the field?\">Q5: Can I choose Psychology as an optional subject if I have no prior background in the field?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-mains-2017-psychology-optional-previous-year-paper\/#In_case_you_still_have_your_doubts_contact_us_on_9811333901\" title=\"In case you still have your doubts, contact us on 9811333901.&nbsp;\">In case you still have your doubts, contact us on 9811333901.&nbsp;<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-mains-2017-psychology-optional-previous-year-paper\/#Visit_our_YouTube_Channel_%E2%80%93_here\" title=\"Visit our YouTube Channel &#8211;&nbsp;here\">Visit our YouTube Channel &#8211;&nbsp;here<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Question_Paper_Specific_Instructions\"><\/span><strong>Question Paper Specific Instructions<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Please read each of the following instructions carefully before attempting questions :<\/li><li>There are EIGHT questions divided in two SECTIONS and printed both in HINDI and in ENGLISH.<\/li><li>Candidate has to attempt FIVE questions in all.<\/li><li>Questions no. 1 and 5 are compulsory and out of the remaining, THREE are to be attempted choosing at least ONE from each section.<\/li><li>The number of marks carried by a question \/ part is indicated against it.<\/li><li>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.<\/li><li>Word limit in questions, wherever specified, should be adhered to.<\/li><li>Illustrate your answers with suitable sketches, maps and diagrams. These shall be drawn in the space provided for answering the question itself.<\/li><li>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.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Psychology_Optional_Question_Paper-1_2017\"><\/span>Psychology Optional Question Paper-1 (2017)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"SECTION_%E2%80%93_A\"><\/span>SECTION &#8211; A<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>1. Write short answers to the following in about 150 words each<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(a) Describe how you used psychology to solve a social problem.<br>(b) Distinguish between negative reinforcement and punishment. Do you think punishment is an effective way to modify behaviour?<br>(c) In a study, the number of students intake in a college correlated very highly with violence. Explain the research finding.<br>(d) Do you think subliminal messages can actually lead to significant changes in attitudes or behaviour? Cite research evidence.<br>(e) Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour. Evaluate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>2. (a) Why do we forget? Differentiate between anterograde and retrograde amnesia.<br>(b) How can you use &#8216;Focus Group Discussion&#8217; to promote use of toilets in rural areas?<br>(c) How would you apply Operant Conditioning technique for toilet training to a 3-year-old boy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>3. (a) Whatever we are, it is because of Genes. Discuss.<br>(b) Which research design would you apply to prove that a particular method of teaching yields best results? Describe.<br>(c) How are we able to perceive the world in three dimensions when our eyes are capable of sensing only two-dimensional images?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>4. (a) Evaluate &#8220;interview&#8221; as a method of data collection.<br>(b) Explain the role of meaningfulness and emotional arousal in encoding. Discuss the implications of encoding specificity principle.<br>(c) Explain the differences in information processing at various levels of memory. In what way is recall affected by initial processing of information?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"SECTION_%E2%80%93_B\"><\/span>SECTION &#8211; B<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>5. Answer each of the following questions in about 150 words:<br>(a) Creative people usually have high IQ scores but those with the highest IQ scores are not necessarily the most creative people. Explain.<br>(b) Critically evaluate Noam Chomsky&#8217;s theory of transformational grammar.<br>(c) Drug addiction is just a maladaptive behavior. Like other behavior, it can be easily changed. Discuss.<br>(d) What is paradoxical in REM sleep? How active is a person during different stages of sleep?<br>(e) Explain different types of reasoning processes used in problem solving with their strengths and limitations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>6. (a) According to Gardner&#8217;s theory, there is no one kind of general intelligence for ranking individuals. Explain.<br>(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.<br>(c) Explain the importance of Critical Periods in language development. In what ways are bilingualism and cognitive development related?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>7. (a) Which needs should one be high on to be a successful entrepreneur? Explain based on Maslow&#8217;s Hierarchy of Needs.<br>(b) Can we do justice to measuring personality by projective and objective tests? Discuss.<br>(c) Why do some people behave aggressively towards those who defy social norms? How can such aggressive behaviors be changed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>8. (a) Can we determine a person&#8217;s academic performance based only on an IQ score? Explain.<br>(b) How do we explain self-defeating behavior of a person from the Humanistic perspective?<br>(c) People emphasize personal traits more than situational factors. Evaluate the statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Psychology_Optional_Question_Paper-2_2018\"><\/span>Psychology Optional Question Paper-2 (2018)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"SECTION_%E2%80%93_A-2\"><\/span>SECTION &#8211; A<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>1. Write short answers to the following in about 150 words each<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(a) Describe how you used psychology to solve a social problem.<br>(b) Distinguish between negative reinforcement and punishment. Do you think punishment is an effective way to modify behavior?<br>(c) In a study, the number of students intake in a college correlated very highly with violence. Explain the research finding.<br>(d) Do you think subliminal messages can actually lead to significant changes in attitudes or behavior? Cite research evidence.<br>(e) Psychology is the scientific study of behavior. Evaluate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>2. (a) Why do we forget? Differentiate between anterograde and retrograde amnesia.<br>(b) How can you use &#8216;Focus Group Discussion&#8217; to promote use of toilets in rural areas?<br>(c) How would you apply Operant Conditioning technique for toilet training to a 3-year-old boy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>3. (a) Whatever we are, it is because of Genes. Discuss.<br>(b) Which research design would you apply to prove that a particular method of teaching yields best results? Describe.<br>(c) How are we able to perceive the world in three dimensions when our eyes are capable of sensing only two-dimensional images?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>4. (a) Evaluate &#8220;interview&#8221; as a method of data collection.<br>(b) Explain the role of meaningfulness and emotional arousal in encoding. Discuss the implications of encoding specificity principle.<br>(c) Explain the differences in information processing at various levels of memory. In what way is recall affected by initial processing of information?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"SECTION_%E2%80%93_B-2\"><\/span>SECTION &#8211; B<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>5. Answer each of the following questions in about 150 words:<br>(a) Creative people usually have high IQ scores but those with the highest IQ scores are not necessarily the most creative people. Explain.<br>(b) Critically evaluate Noam Chomsky&#8217;s theory of transformational grammar.<br>(c) Drug addiction is just a maladaptive behavior. Like other behavior, it can be easily changed. Discuss.<br>(d) What is paradoxical in REM sleep? How active is a person during different stages of sleep?<br>(e) Explain different types of reasoning processes used in problem-solving with their strengths and limitations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>6. (a) According to Gardner&#8217;s theory, there is no one kind of general intelligence for ranking individuals. Explain.<br>(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.<br>(c) Explain the importance of Critical Periods in language development. In what ways are bilingualism and cognitive development related?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>7. (a) Which needs should one be high on to be a successful entrepreneur? Explain on the basis of Maslow&#8217;s Hierarchy of Needs.<br>(b) Can we do justice to measuring personality by projective and objective tests? Discuss.<br>(c) Why do some people behave aggressively towards those who defy social norms? How can such aggressive behaviors be changed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>8. (a) Can we determine a person&#8217;s academic performance based only on IQ score? Explain.<br>(b) How do we explain self-defeating behavior of a person from the Humanistic perspective?<br>(c) People emphasize personal traits more than situational factors. Evaluate the statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs\"><\/span>Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Q1_What_is_the_significance_of_Psychology_as_an_optional_subject_in_UPSC_Mains\"><\/span>Q1: What is the significance of Psychology as an optional subject in UPSC Mains?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Q2_How_many_previous_year_papers_of_Psychology_optional_should_I_study_for_UPSC_Mains\"><\/span>Q2: How many previous year papers of Psychology optional should I study for UPSC Mains?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A2: It&#8217;s advisable to study at least the last five years&#8217; 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Q3_Are_there_any_specific_areas_within_Psychology_that_UPSC_tends_to_focus_on_in_the_optional_paper\"><\/span>Q3: Are there any specific areas within Psychology that UPSC tends to focus on in the optional paper?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>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&#8217;s important to have a strong foundation in these areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Q4_How_can_I_effectively_prepare_for_the_Psychology_optional_paper_in_UPSC_Mains\"><\/span>Q4: How can I effectively prepare for the Psychology optional paper in UPSC Mains?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Q5_Can_I_choose_Psychology_as_an_optional_subject_if_I_have_no_prior_background_in_the_field\"><\/span>Q5: Can I choose Psychology as an optional subject if I have no prior background in the field?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A5: Yes, you can choose Psychology as an optional subject even if you don&#8217;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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"In_case_you_still_have_your_doubts_contact_us_on_9811333901\"><\/span><strong>In case you still have your doubts, contact us on 9811333901.<\/strong>&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For UPSC Prelims Resources,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/upsc-cse-prelims-resource-centre\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Click here<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For Daily Updates and Study Material:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Join our Telegram Channel &#8211;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/t.me\/WithEdukemy4IAS\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Edukemy for IAS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>1. Learn through Videos &#8211;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3vOD8sU\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a><\/li><li>2. Be Exam Ready by Practicing Daily MCQs &#8211;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3Q9z2nF\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a><\/li><li>3. Daily Newsletter &#8211; Get all your Current Affairs Covered &#8211;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3bE2y5J\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a><\/li><li>4. Mains Answer Writing Practice &#8211;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3mZuVxl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Visit_our_YouTube_Channel_%E2%80%93_here\"><\/span>Visit our YouTube Channel &#8211;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@ShabbirsEduKemyforIAS\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":13988,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[206],"tags":[142,207,232,145,140],"class_list":["post-13986","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-psychology-optional","tag-previous_year_questions","tag-psychology-optional","tag-upsc","tag-upsc-mains-question-paper","tag-upsc_preparation_strategy"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13986","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13986"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13986\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13989,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13986\/revisions\/13989"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13988"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13986"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13986"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13986"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}