Union Public Services Commission offers UPSC Psychology Syllabus as an optional subject for the UPSC CSE Exam and it is one of the 48 optional subjects that the UPSC Offers. The UPSC Syllabus for Psychology covers the concepts related to the scientific study of the human mind and focuses on the application of theories.

• The UPSC exam is a three-stage process. Candidates have to attempt a prelims exam, a mains and an interview.
• Psychology is a quite fascinating subject and one must prepare a result-driven strategy for UPSC civil services exam.
• IAS Psychology Optional Subject has Paper 1 and Paper 2 in UPSC Mains. Each paper is of 250 marks with a total of 500 marks.
• Psychology is a part of general science as well as life science so the candidates must choose the optional subject wisely as it might elevate the overall merit.
• UPSC Psychology Syllabus and exam pattern will help the candidates know about what they will have to include in their preparation so as to cover the syllabus.

It is of utmost importance for the aspirants to assess their aptitude in a particular subject and then pick it as an optional subject. Here, in this article, we present in detail the UPSC psychology syllabus Optional, exam pattern, best reference books and exam preparation tips.

Overview of UPSC Psychology Syllabus For Optional Paper 1 & 2

Initial preparation of the exam starts with a thorough knowledge of the syllabus and the exam pattern. Mentioned below is the UPSC psychology syllabus for optional paper 1 and paper 2 of IAS mains:

UPSC Psychology Syllabus For Optional Paper-1

Check the detailed Psychology Optional Syllabus for Paper 2 below.

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 design
• Quasi-experimental designs; Focussed group discussions, brainstorming, grounded theory approach.

Research Methods

• Major steps in Psychological research (problem statement, hypothesis formulation, research designs, sampling, tools of data collection, analysis and interpretation and report writing)
• Fundamental versus applied research; Methods of data collection ( interview, observation, questionnaire)
• Research designs (ex-post facto and experimental); Application of statistical technique (t-test, two way ANOVA correlation
• 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 lifespan

Sensation, Attention and Perception

• Sensation: concepts of threshold, absolute and difference thresholds, signal-detection and vigilance
• Factors influencing attention include set and characteristics of stimulus; Definition and concept of perception, biological factors in perception
• Perceptual organisation influence of past experiences, perceptual defence factors influencing space and depth perception, size estimation and perceptual readiness
• The plasticity of perception; Extrasensory perception; Culture and perception, Subliminal perception

Learning

• Concept 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 the 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 judgment; 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
• Concept of IQ, deviation IQ, constancy of IQ; Measurement of multiple intelligence
• Fluid intelligence and crystallized intelligence

Personality

• Definition and concept of personality; Theories of personality (psychoanalytical, sociocultural, 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 the big 5-factor theory
• The notion of self in different traditions

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 others behaviour
• Theories of attribution; Recent trends

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

Issues and Perspectives in Modern Contemporary Psychology

• Computer application in the psychological laboratory and psychological testing
• Artificial intelligence; Psychocybernetics; Study of consciousness – sleep-wake schedules; dreams, stimulus deprivation, meditation, hypnotic/drug-induced states
• Extrasensory perception; Intersensory perception Simulation studies

UPSC Psychology Syllabus For Optional Paper-2

Check the detailed Psychology Optional Syllabus for Paper 2 below.

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
• Causal 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-centred 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 – the role of psychologists
• Organising services for the rehabilitation of physically, mentally and socially challenged people including old persons
• Rehabilitation of persons suffering from substance abuse, juvenile delinquency, criminal behaviour
• 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

Psychological problems 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 in-group and out-group
• Causal factors of social conflicts and prejudices; Psychological strategies for handling the 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
• Multi-level 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 the promotion of entrepreneurship among youth including women entrepreneurs

Application of Psychology to Environment and related fields

• Environmental psychology-effects of noise, pollution and crowding
• Population psychology: psychological consequences of population explosion and high population density
• Motivating for small family norm; Impact of rapid scientific and technological growth on degradation of the environment

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
• Sports Psychology interventions in improving the performance of athletes and sports. Persons participating in Individual and Team Games
• Media influences on pro and antisocial behaviour
• Psychology of terrorism

Psychology of Gender

• Issues of discrimination, Management of diversity; Glass ceiling effect
• Self-fulfilling prophecy, Women and Indian society

Books to Refer for UPSC Psychology Syllabus

Some of the best books to study the complete UPSC Psychology optional subject are mentioned below:

• Abnormal Psychology & Modern Life James.C. Coleman
• Achieving Society David McClelland
• Theories of Personality Hall & Lindzey
• Social Psychology Baron & Byrne
• The Psychology of Small Groups Shaw
• Classes XI & XII NCERT textbooks on Psychology

UPSC Psychology Optional Paper Pattern 2024

The UPSC exam has three stages of examination viz. prelims, mains and interview. The candidates are given a choice of 48 optional subjects to choose from. Here are the details about the UPSC psychology Paper Pattern for IAS mains:

• There will be 2 papers for the psychology optional subject in UPSC IAS Mains.
• Each paper would comprise 250 marks, which makes it 500 marks in total.
• The time duration to attempt the UPSC psychology paper is 3 hours.
• Each paper would have objective answer-type questions.
• There is no negative marking.

How To Prepare For UPSC Psychology Optional Subject Syllabus?

UPSC psychology could drive a hard bargain and it required persistent hard work and enormous dedication. Mentioned below are a few helpful tips.

• Get your mitts on the latest UPSC Psychology Syllabus as well as the paper pattern. This helps in having a clear idea of what needs to be done.
• Select limited but the highest recommended reference books for the subject. Correct and efficient reference books could be of great help.
• Before starting with the preparation, candidates must go through the UPSC Psychology Syllabus in detail to know which topics they have to cover. There are several topics included in the syllabus, candidates must know how to prepare for them wisely and plan out their study. The Psychology Syllabus will be available in the official UPSC notification, candidates can also download the UPSC Psychology Syllabus and Exam Pattern from the PDF in this article.
• List down the important topics with higher weightage and start working on them first. In this way, it’ll become easier to cover the syllabus.
• Survey the syllabus and identify your strong and weak points, work on your weak points.
• Previous Years’ Question Papers, Mock Tests, and UPSC CSE Test Series are the keys to this examination.

Check the UPSC IAS Previous Year’s Question Papers for other subjects here!

This was a detailed article about the syllabus. To start the preparation for your examination, download the Testbook App and get access to world-class education, mock tests, etc.