UPSC Psychology for UPSC Optional (Notes)UPSC Paper 1: Foundations of Psychology1.
Introduction to Psychology- Definition and scope of psychology
- Historical perspectives in psychology
- Schools of psychology: structuralism, functionalism, behaviorism, psychoanalysis, humanistic psychology, cognitive psychology, and socio-cultural psychology
2.
Methods and Approaches in Psychology- Research methods in psychology: experimental, correlational, and observational methods
- Ethical issues in psychological research
- Approaches to studying psychology: biological, behavioral, cognitive, psychodynamic, and humanistic approaches
3.
Biological Bases of Behavior- Structure and functions of the nervous system
- Neurotransmitters and their role in behavior
- Endocrine system and its influence on behavior
- Genetics and behavior: heredity and genetic disorders
4.
Sensation and Perception- Sensory processes: vision, hearing, taste, smell, and touch
- Perceptual processes: attention, perception of form, depth, and motion
- Gestalt principles of perception
5.
Learning and Conditioning- Classical conditioning: Pavlov's experiment and its applications
- Operant conditioning: reinforcement, punishment, and shaping behavior
- Observational learning: Bandura's social learning theory
6.
Memory and Thinking- Memory processes: encoding, storage, and retrieval
- Types of memory: sensory, short-term, and long-term memory
- Forgetting and factors influencing memory
- Thinking and problem-solving: reasoning, decision-making, and creativity
7.
Motivation and Emotion- Theories of motivation: instinct theory, drive theory, and humanistic theory
- Biological and psychological factors influencing motivation
- Theories of emotion: James-Lange theory, Cannon-Bard theory, and Schachter-Singer theory
8.
Intelligence and Aptitude- Theories of intelligence: Spearman's two-factor theory, Gardner's multiple intelligences, and Sternberg's triarchic theory
- Measurement of intelligence: IQ tests and their limitations
- Aptitude and its assessment
9.
Personality- Theories of personality: Freud's psychoanalytic theory, trait theories, and social cognitive theories
- Assessment of personality: projective tests, self-report inventories, and behavioral observations
10.
Psychological Disorders- Classification of psychological disorders: DSM-5
- Common disorders: anxiety disorders, mood disorders, schizophrenia, personality disorders, and eating disorders
- Causes and treatment of psychological disorders
UPSC Paper 2: Psychology - Issues and Applications1.
Social Psychology- Social cognition: perception, attribution, and attitudes
- Social influence: conformity, obedience, and compliance
- Group dynamics: leadership, group decision-making, and group polarization
- Prejudice, discrimination, and stereotypes
2.
Human Development- Theories of human development: Freud's psychosexual theory, Erikson's psychosocial theory, and Piaget's cognitive development theory
- Physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional development across the lifespan
- The role of nature and nurture in human development
3.
Psychological Testing and Assessment- Types of psychological tests: intelligence tests, personality tests, and projective tests
- Reliability and validity of psychological tests
- Ethical issues in psychological testing
4.
Attitude and Social Cognition- Attitudes and attitude change
- Prejudice, discrimination, and stereotypes
- The role of cognitive processes in social perception and judgment
5.
Psychological Disorders and Health- Stress and its impact on physical and mental health
- Coping strategies and resilience
- Psychological factors in illness and treatment
6.
Organizational Behavior- Individual behavior in organizations: motivation, job satisfaction, and stress
- Group behavior in organizations: communication, leadership, and teamwork
- Organizational culture and climate
7.
Application of Psychology in Different Fields- Educational psychology: learning theories, motivation in education, and assessment in education
- Industrial-organizational psychology: selection and training of employees, job satisfaction, and organizational development
- Clinical psychology: assessment and treatment of psychological disorders
UPSC Mains Previous Year Questions & Answers- Compilation of previous year UPSC Mains questions on psychology
- Detailed answers and explanations for better understanding
- Practice questions for self-assessment and exam preparation
Note: This syllabus is meant to provide a comprehensive overview of the topics covered in UPSC Psychology optional. It is recommended to refer to the official UPSC syllabus and consult relevant study materials for detailed preparation.
This course is helpful for the following exams: UPSC