UPSC Psychology Optional Syllabus 2024: The UPSC syllabus for the optional Psychology subject is designed by the UPSC to assess candidates’ knowledge in the field of psychology. It is imperative for aspiring candidates to thoroughly familiarize themselves with the syllabus and exam pattern to excel in this competitive examination. Below, we provide a concise overview of the UPSC Psychology syllabus, exam pattern, and the key topics covered in the Psychology subjects.
In addition, to stay updated on government examinations and recruitment notifications, candidates can explore our sarkari exam and free job alert pages, ensuring they receive timely updates on new job opportunities and government exams. The detailed UPSC Psychology Optional Syllabus 2024 is detailed below.
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UPSC Psychology Optional Syllabus 2024 Overview
The table presented below provides a comprehensive overview of the UPSC Psychology Optional Syllabus 2024, aimed at aiding prospective candidates in their preparations
| Psychology Optional Syllabus Overview | |
| Organizing Body | UPSC |
| Category | Sarkari Syllabus |
| Post Name | Civil Services |
| Papers |
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| Maximum Marks | 500 marks |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
Psychology UPSC Optional Exam Pattern 2024
The UPSC Psychology Optional Exam Pattern consists of two papers, Paper I and Paper II, each carrying 250 marks. Here’s a brief overview of the exam pattern:
| Paper Name | Topic | Marks |
| Paper I | Foundations of Psychology | 250 |
| Paper II | Psychology: Issues and Application | 250 |
Candidates must successfully clear both Paper I and Paper II to qualify in the UPSC Psychology Optional examination. The examination aims to assess the candidate’s knowledge and understanding of various aspects of psychology.
UPSC Psychology Optional Syllabus 2024
The Psychology Optional UPSC Syllabus is detailed in the tables below.
Paper I – Foundations of Psychology
| Psychology Subjects | Topics covered |
| Introduction | Definition of Psychology; Historical antecedents of Psychology and trends in the 21st century; Psychology and scientific methods; Psychology in relation to other social sciences and natural sciences; Application of Psychology to societal problems. |
| Methods of Psychology | Types of research: Descriptive, evaluative, diagnostic and prognostic; Methods of Research: Survey, observation, case-study and experiments; Characteristics of experimental design and non-experimental designs; quasi-experimental designs; Focused group discussions, brainstorming, grounded theory approach. |
| Research methods | Major steps in psychological research (problem statement, hypothesis formulation, research design, sampling, tools of data collection, analysis and interpretation and report writing); Fundamental versus applied research; Methods of data collection (interview, observation, questionnaire and case study). Research Designs (Ex-post facto and experimental). Application of statistical techniques (t-test, two-way ANOVA, correlation and regression and factor analysis) item response theory. |
| Development of Human Behaviour | Growth and development; Principles of development, Role of genetic and environmental factors in determining human behaviour; Influence of cultural factors in socialization; Life span development—Characteristics, development tasks, promoting psychological well-being across major stages of the life span. |
| Sensation, Attention and Perception | Sensation: concepts of threshold, absolute and difference thresholds, signal-detection and vigilance; Factors influencing attention including set. and characteristics of stimulus; Definition and concept of perception, biological factors in perception; Perceptual organization-influence of past experiences, perceptual defence-factor influencing space and depth perception, size estimation and perceptual readiness; The plasticity of perception; Extrasensory perception; Culture and perception, Subliminal perception. |
| Learning | Concepts and theories of learning (Behaviourists, Gestaltalists and Information processing models). The processes of extinction, discrimination and generalization. Programmed learning, probability learning, self-instructional learning, concepts, types and schedules of reinforcement, escape, avoidance and punishment, modelling and social learning. |
| Memory | Encoding and remembering; Short-term memory, Long-term memory, Sensory memory, Iconic memory, Echoic memory: The Multistore model, levels of processing; Organization and Mnemonic techniques to improve memory; Theories of forgetting: decay, interference and retrieval failure: Metamemory; Amnesia: Anterograde and retrograde. |
| 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 judgement; Recent trends. |
| 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. |
| 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, the concept of IQ deviation IQ, constancy of I Q; Measurement of multiple intelligence; Fluid intelligence and crystallized intelligence. |
| Personality | Definition and concept of personality; Theories of personality (psychoanalytical, socio-cultural, interpersonal, developmental, humanistic, behaviouristic, trait and type approaches); Measurement of personality (projective tests, pencil-paper test); The Indian approach to personality; Training for personality development; Latest approaches like big 5-factor theory; The notion of self in different traditions. |
| Attitudes, Values and Interests | Definitions of attitudes, values and interests; Components of attitudes; Formation and maintenance of attitudes. Measurement of attitudes, values and interests. Theories of attitude changes, strategies for fostering values. Formation of stereotypes and prejudices; Changing other’s behaviour, Theories of attribution; Recent trends. |
| Language and Communication | Human language—Properties, structure and linguistic hierarchy, Language acquisition—predispotion, critical period hypothesis; Theories of Language development—Skinner and Chomsky; Process and types of communication—effective communication training. |
| Issues and Perspectives in Modern Contemporary Psychology | Computer application in the psychological laboratory and psychological testing; Artificial intelligence; Psych cybernetics; Study of consciousness sleep-wake schedules; dreams, stimulus deprivation, meditation, hypnotic/drug induced states; Extrasensory perception; Intersensory perception; Simulation studies. |
Paper II – Psychology: Issues and Applications
| Psychology Subjects | Topics covered |
| Psychological Measurement of Individual Differences | The nature of individual differences. Characteristics and construction of standardized psychological tests. Types of psychological tests. Use, misuse and limitation of psychological tests. Ethical issues in the use of psychological tests. |
| Psychological Well-being and Mental Disorders | Concept of health-ill health positive health, well-being casual factors in Mental disorders (Anxiety disorders, mood disorders; schizophrenia and delusional disorders; personality disorders, substance abuse disorders). Factors influencing positive health, well-being; lifestyle and quality of life; Happiness disposition. |
| Therapeutic Approaches | Psychodynamic therapies. Behaviour therapies. Client-centered therapy. Cognitive therapies. Indigenous therapies (Yoga, Meditation). Biofeedback therapy. Prevention and rehabilitation of the mentally ill; Fostering mental health. |
| 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 organizations. |
| Application of Psychology to the Educational Field | Psychological principles underlying effective teaching-learning process. Learning styles. Gifted, retarded, learning disabled and their training. Training for improving memory and better academic achievement. Personality development and value education. Educational, vocational guidance and Career counselling. Use of Psychological tests in educational institutions; Effective strategies in guidance programmes. |
| 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—role of psychologists. Organising services for rehabilitation of physically, mentally and socially challenged persons including old persons. Rehabilitation of persons suffering from substance abuse, juvenile delinquency, and criminal behaviours. 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. Educating and motivating the disadvantaged towards development; Relative and prolonged deprivation. |
| The psychological problem of social integration | The concept of social integration. The problem of caste, class, religion and language conflicts and prejudice. Nature and manifestation of prejudice between the ingroup and outgroup. Casual factors of such conflicts and prejudices. Psychological strategies for handling conflicts and prejudices. 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. Selection and training of Psychology professionals to work in the field of IT and mass media. Distance learning through IT and mass media. Entrepreneurship through e-commerce. Multilevel marketing. Impact of TV and fostering value through 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. Motivating and Training people for entrepreneurship and economic development; Consumer rights and consumer awareness, Government policies for promotion of entrepreneurship among youth including women entrepreneurs. |
| Application of Psychology to the environment and related fields | Environmental Psychology effects of noise, pollution and crowding. Population Psychology: Psychological consequence of population explosion and high population density. Motivating for small family norms. Impact of rapid scientific and technological growth on degradation of the environment. |
| Application of psychology in other fields |
a. Military Psychology: Devising psychological tests for defence personnel for use in selection, Training, and counselling; training psychologists to work, with defence personnel in promoting positive health; Human engineering in defence. |
| Psychology of Gender | Issues of discrimination, Management of diversity; Glass ceiling effect, Self-fulfilling prophesy, Women and Indian society. |
Preparation Tips for UPSC Psychology Optional
Listed below are some concise preparation tips for the UPSC Psychology Optional Syllabus 2024:
- Begin by thoroughly understanding the UPSC Psychology syllabus to identify specific areas for focused study.
- Collect recommended textbooks and study materials, including primary and secondary sources, to ensure comprehensive coverage of the syllabus.
- Develop a well-structured study plan that allocates sufficient time to cover each topic in the syllabus, maintaining consistency in your study routine.
- Psychology requires structured and well-articulated answers. Regularly practice essay and answer writing to improve writing skills and time management.
- Solve previous years’ UPSC Psychology optional papers to understand the exam pattern and the types of questions asked.
- Take mock tests and simulate exam conditions to assess your preparedness and practice time management.
- Consistently revise the material you’ve studied to ensure information retention and enhance recall during the exam.
Reference Books for UPSC Psychology Optional
For UPSC Psychology Optional Syllabus 2024, you can refer to the following reference books:
- Psychology by Robert A. Baron, Nyla R. Branscombe, and Donn Byrne.
- Psychology: Themes and Variations by Wayne Weiten.
- Social Psychology by David Myers and Jean Twenge.
- Abnormal Psychology by Ronald J. Comer.
- Experimental Psychology by Barry H. Kantowitz, Henry L. Roediger III, and David G. Elmes.
- Dictionary of Psychology by Raymond J. Corsini.
UPSC Psychology Optional Syllabus 2204 FAQ
While the core topics remain relatively consistent, it’s advisable to check the official UPSC website for the most up-to-date syllabus as changes or updates may occur.
While a background in psychology can be helpful, it’s not mandatory. With dedicated study and the right resources, candidates from diverse educational backgrounds can excel in the UPSC Psychology Optional Paper.
Previous years’ question papers for UPSC Psychology Optional can be found online, on the official UPSC website.
Yes, there are several recommended reference books for UPSC Psychology Optional. Some widely used books include those by Robert A. Baron, David Myers, and Wayne Weiten, among others.
Other Government Exam Syllabus
Some other upcoming government exam syllabi can be accessed from the links below:
- UPSC Syllabus
- JSSC JE Syllabus
- Indian Army Nursing Assistant Syllabus
- KPSC FDA SDA Syllabus
- CWC Syllabus
- ICDS Syllabus
For additional details regarding the UPSC Psychology Optional Syllabus 2024, please feel free to leave your questions in the comments section below. To stay updated on upcoming government examinations, recruitment notifications, and valuable study resources, be sure to follow our government exams page.
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