Here is the detailed syllabus for Psychology optional in UPSC:
Paper-I: Foundations of Psychology
- Introduction:
- Definition of Psychology
- Methods of Psychology
- Applications of Psychology
- Methods of Psychology:
- Experimental, observational, participant, and non-participant methods
- Correlational methods
- Clinical and counseling methods
- Techniques of data collection
- Research Methods:
- Experimental, quasi-experimental, and non-experimental designs
- Methods of data collection: observation, psycho-physiological, questionnaire, and tests
- Development of Human Behavior:
- Growth and development
- Factors influencing development
- Dimensions of development
- Sensation and Perception:
- Sensory processes and thresholds
- Attention and perception
- Nature of perceptual organization
- Learning:
- Classical conditioning
- Operant conditioning
- Observational learning
- Memory:
- Types of memory
- Factors affecting memory
- Memory improvement techniques
- Thinking and Problem Solving:
- Nature and theories of thinking
- Problem-solving and decision-making
Paper-II: Psychology in Indian Context
- Motivation and Emotion:
- Biological, social, and cultural determinants of motivation and emotion
- Measurement of motivation and emotion
- Intelligence and Aptitude:
- Theories and measurement of intelligence
- Aptitude and its measurement
- Personality:
- Theories of personality
- Assessment of personality
- Social Psychology:
- Social perception and cognition
- Attitudes, values, and beliefs
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Attitudes, Values, and Interests:
- Concept and structure of attitudes
- Measurement of attitudes
- Theories of values
- Application of Psychology:
- Psychology in organizations
- Health Psychology
- Environmental Psychology
- Community Psychology
- Psychology and Challenges in Indian Society:
- Poverty and deprivation
- Women and marginalised sections
- The elderly and the differently-abled
- Mental Disorders:
- Classification and symptoms
- Therapeutic approaches
- Rehabilitation of mentally ill
This syllabus is intended to provide candidates with a solid foundation in both the theoretical and applied aspects of psychology. It’s advisable to refer to the official UPSC notification and syllabus for the most accurate and updated information.
