There are 48 optional subjects offered by UPSC in the main exam. Aspirants can choose one of these subjects to prepare for the exam. Psychology is one of these optional subjects which is popular among many aspirants. In the exam, optional subjects have two papers- Paper 1 and Paper 2. Both the papers have 250 marks each that students will take to complete the main stage. Psychology Optional Syllabus for UPSC Mains like psychology give aspirants a chance to score and enhance their rank. So, to prepare for the psychology optional students need to know the complete syllabus details listed below:
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Paper 1- Psychology Optional
Here is the list of the syllabus of Psychology optional for paper 1:
Introduction
- Definition of Psychology; Historical antecedents of Psychology and trends in the 21st century.
- Application of Psychology to Societal Problems.
- Psychology and scientific methods; Psychology about other social sciences and natural sciences.
Methods of Psychology
- Types of research: Descriptive, evaluative, diagnostic and prognostic.
- Quasi-experimental designs; Focussed group discussions, brainstorming, grounded theory approach.
- Methods of Research: Survey, observation, case study and experiments; Characteristics of experimental design and non-experimental design.
Research Methods
- Major steps in Psychological research (problem statement, hypothesis formulation, research designs, sampling, tools of data collection, analysis and interpretation and report writing)
- Research designs (ex-post facto and experimental); Application of statistical technique (t-test, two-way ANOVA correlation.
- Fundamental versus applied research; Methods of data collection ( interview, observation, questionnaire).
- Regression and factor analysis); Item response theory.
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Sensation, Attention and Perception
- Sensation: concepts of threshold, absolute and difference thresholds, signal-detection and vigilance.
- Perceptual organisation influence of past experiences, perceptual defence factors influencing space and depth perception, size estimation and perceptual readiness.
- Factors influencing attention include the set and characteristics of stimulus; Definition and concept of perception, and biological factors in perception.
- The plasticity of perception; Extrasensory perception; Culture and perception, and Subliminal perception.
Development of Human Behaviour
- Growth and development; Principles of development, Role of genetic and environmental factors in determining human behaviour.
- Promoting psychological well-being across major stages of the lifespan.
- Influence of cultural factors in socialisation; Life span development – Characteristics, development tasks.
Learning
- Concept and theories of learning (Behaviourists, Gestaltists and Information processing models).
- Types and the schedules of reinforcement, escape, avoidance and punishment, modelling and social learning.
- The Processes of extinction, discrimination and generalization; Programmed learning, probability learning, self-instructional learning, and concepts.
Memory
- Encoding and remembering; Short-term memory, Long-term memory, Sensory memory, Iconic memory.
- Theories of forgetting: decay, interference and retrieval failure: Metamemory; Amnesia: Anterograde and retrograde.
- Echoic memory: The Multistore model, levels of processing.
- Organization and Mnemonic techniques to improve memory.
Motivation and Emotion
- Psychological and physiological basis of motivation and emotion; Measurement of motivation and emotion
- Effects of motivation and emotion on behaviour; Extrinsic and intrinsic motivation
- Factors influencing intrinsic motivation; Emotional competence and the related issues
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
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 crystallised intelligence
Personality
- Definition and concept of personality; Theories of personality (psychoanalytical, sociocultural, interpersonal.
- Measurement of personality (projective tests, pencil-paper test); The Indian approach to personality.
- Developmental, humanistic, behaviouristic, trait and type approaches).
- Training for personality development; Latest approaches like the big 5-factor theory
- The notion of self in different traditions.
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.
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.
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Issues and Perspectives in Modern Contemporary Psychology
- Computer application in the psychological laboratory and psychological testing
- Artificial intelligence; Psycho-Cybernetics; Study of consciousness – sleep-wake schedules; dreams, stimulus deprivation, meditation, hypnotic/drug-induced states
- Extrasensory perception; Intersensory perception Simulation studies
Paper 2- Psychology Optional
Here is the list of the syllabus of Psychology optional for paper 2:
Psychological Measurement of Individual Differences
- The nature of individual differences; Characteristics and construction of standardised psychological tests.
- Ethical issues in the use of psychological tests.
- Types of psychological tests; Use, misuse and limitation of psychological tests.
Psychological Well-being and Mental Disorders
- Concept of health-ill health; Positive health, well-being.
- Factors influencing positive health, well-being, lifestyle and quality of life; Happiness disposition.
- Causal factors in mental disorders (Anxiety disorders, mood disorders, schizophrenia and delusional disorders; personality disorders, substance abuse disorders).
Therapeutic Approaches
- Psychodynamic therapies; Behaviour therapies; and Client-centred therapy.
- Prevention and rehabilitation of the mentally ill; Fostering mental health.
- Cognitive therapies; Indigenous therapies (Yoga, Meditation); Biofeedback therapy.
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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 organisations
Application of Psychology to the Educational Field
- Psychological principles underlying effective teaching-learning process.
- Learning styles; Gifted, retarded, learning disabled and their training.
- Use of psychological tests in educational institutions; Effective strategies in guidance programmes.
- Training for improving memory and academic achievement.
- Personality development and value education, Educational, vocational guidance and career counselling.
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.
Rehabilitation Psychology
- Primary, secondary and tertiary prevention programmes – the role of psychologists.
- Rehabilitation of persons suffering from substance abuse, juvenile delinquency, and criminal behaviour.
- Organising services for the rehabilitation of physically, mentally and socially challenged people including old persons.
- Rehabilitation of victims of violence, Rehabilitation of HIV/AIDS victims, the role of social agencies.
Application of Psychology to disadvantaged groups
- The concepts of disadvantaged, deprivation; Social, physical, cultural and economic consequences of disadvantaged and deprived groups.
- Relative and prolonged deprivation.
- Educating and motivating the disadvantaged towards development.
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Psychological problems of social integration
- The concept of social integration; The problem of caste, class, religion and language conflicts and prejudice.
- Causal factors of social conflicts and prejudices; Psychological strategies for handling the conflicts and prejudices.
- Nature and manifestation of prejudice between the in-group and out-group.
- Measures to achieve social integration.
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.
- Distance learning through IT and mass media; Entrepreneurship through e-commerce.
- Multi-level marketing; Impact of TV and fostering value through IT and mass media.
- Selection and training of psychology professionals to work in the field of IT and mass media.
- Psychological consequences of recent developments in Information Technology
Psychology and Economic Development
- Achievement motivation and economic development; Characteristics of entrepreneurial behaviour.
- Government policies for the promotion of entrepreneurship among youth including women entrepreneurs.
- Motivating and training people for entrepreneurship and economic development.
- Consumer rights and consumer awareness.
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Application of Psychology to Environment and related fields
- Environmental psychology-effects of noise, pollution and crowding.
- Motivation for small family norm; Impact of rapid scientific and technological growth on degradation of the environment.
- Population psychology: psychological consequences of population explosion and high population density.
Application of psychology in other fields
- Military Psychology.
- Devising psychological tests for defence personnel for use in selection.
- Training, counselling; training psychologists to work with defence personnel in promoting positive health.
- Human engineering in defence.
- Media influences on pro and antisocial behaviour.
- Sports Psychology interventions in improving the performance of athletes and sports. Persons participating in Individual and Team Games.
- Psychology of terrorism.
Psychology of Gender
- Issues of discrimination, Management of diversity; Glass ceiling effect
- Self-fulfilling prophecy, Women and Indian society
Conclusion on Psychology Optional Syllabus (Paper 1 + Paper 2) for UPSC Mains
The above-mentioned syllabus is a complete list of topics and sub-topics that aspirants need to prepare for the UPSC optional exam. Psychology has some in-depth topics that students need to cover, and some of these are highly important. So, to begin preparation, aspirants need to go through the detailed topics and start UPSC optional subject preparation.
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