Psychology for UPSC Mains,
Analysis: Paper 1
Similar structure of the question paper like last year. Question no. 1 and 5
compulsory, 5 questions in Question no. 1 and 5 each, each will have to be
answered in not more than 150 words. Three are to be attempted choosing at least
one from each section. Here also, each question will have to be answered either in
not more than 2503=750 words, or in not more than 4002=800 words, just like
previous years Question paper.
One question is of similar nature compared to the question paper of 2012:
In 2012, UPSC asked: Evaluate various factors which influence intrinsic
motivation.
In 2013, UPSC asked: What is intrinsic motivation? Why it gets reduced if the
person gets external rewind for undertaking a task that he or she loves?
Now, a topic-wise comparison of the question paper with the previous years
question paper:
2013 2012
Few questions from the topics Methods of Psychology
and Research Methods:
Ethnocentrism, effect size and statistical power,
observation and dimensions of participation in
observational research.
Too many questions from these
seemingly difficult topics:
Question writing in survey research,
sampling error and error in
sampling, t-test, IRT, McCrary
Hunter invariance hypothesis.
Few straight questions from the topic Development of
Human Behaviour.
How do genes affect development?
developmental challenges faced by adolescents in the
cognitive and social domains, which is very much
similar to the question asked in 2011, role of parenting
Epigenetic model only in short
questions.
style, peer group and media in identity formation during
adolescence.
Bowlby and Anisworth researches, which requires in-
depth study of the topic.
Vygotsky asked for the first time in UPSC.
From the topic Learning,
Reinforcement schedules
Reinforcement topic was asked in
2012 too:
Primary and secondary
reinforcements.
From the topic Memory,
Factor that contribute to the encoding of information
into LTM, like the question asked in 2011, How the
principles of encoding help enhancing the use of
mnemonic devices?
Modal model of STM.
Comparison of Sterlings and
Neissers experiments in sensory
memory.
From the topic Emotion,
Role of left and right hemispheres in emotion asked for
the first time in UPSC.
Direct questions from the same
topic,
Measurement of emotion, effect of
emotion on behavior, facial
expression of emotion.
Now, the lists of books, materials and websites that will help in Psychology Paper-
1:
1. NCERT Psychology Textbooks of classes XI and XII.
2. Introduction to Psychology: Morgan & King
3. Psychology: Robert A. Baron
4. Introduction to Psychology: Hilgard, Atkinson, Atkinson
5. General Psychology: S K Mangal
6. Psychology: The Study of Human Behaviour: B K Mishra
7. E-gyankosh
8. [Link]
9. List of important topics in Psychology by Ghamshyam Thori, IAS:
[Link]
Psychology-pdf
Next, I have done a detailed question-wise analysis of the question paper and the
relevant references that need to be followed to answer the questions.
Question 1: Answer the following, each in not more than 150 words. 105=50
marks
1. Critically evaluate the cognitive approach to the study of psychological
phenomena.
Can be answered from NCERTs class XI textbook of Psychology. The first
chapter What is Psychology? discusses this topic under the headings of The
Cognitive Revolution and Cognitive Approach. Sufficient content to write 150
words. Present in Morgan & Kings book also in the first chapter What Psychology
is Like.
2. What is ethnocentrism? How is it reflected in psychological research?
Havent found satisfactory answer to this question in any standard book of
psychology. However, you can follow the following link to get an answer to this
question:
[Link]/us/download_file/158730
[Link]/2012/03/[Link]
3. What factors contribute to the encoding of information into LTM?
Can be answered by a thorough reading of Morgan & Kings chapter on Memory.
4. How do genes affect development?
Can be answered from S K Mangals book. This topic is present in the chapter on
Heredity and Environment under the heading The role of genes in sufficient detail
to write 150 words on the topic.
5. Describe different reinforcement schedules and indicate their effects on
the strength of learning.
Discussed in Barons Psychology in detail with diagrams.
Question 2: Answer each in not more than 250 words :15+20+15
1. What do you understand by effect size and statistical power? Explain
their significance.
Havent found in standard book on psychology. You can listen to the lecture on
this topic by clicking the following link:
[Link]
science/[Link]
This link is also very useful:
[Link]
q=effect+size+and+statistical+power+in+psychology+statistics&source=bl&ots=er
xGptLFld&sig=8Ty8TyivhfUXVIAEhRG16ihSG20&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Ku-
2UqHDH8bMrQex5oCQBg&ved=0CFIQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=effect%20size
%20and%20statistical%20power%20in%20psychology%20statistics&f=false
2. Discuss the importance of early relationship for developmental outcomes
in the light of researches by Bowlby and Anisworth.
Topic mentioned in Morgan & Kings book in the chapter Development During
Infancy and Childhood under the heading Social Development, sub-heading
Attachment. Although it talks of researches by Bowlby and his colleagues. Barons
book also mentions research by Bowlby. Ainsworths name is mentioned for just
one time under Attachment in the chapter Social and Emotional Development:
Forming Relationships with Others.
3. Compare template matching and feature detection accounts of pattern
recognition.
Pattern detection is there in Barons book in the chapter on perception.
Question 3: Answer the following, each in not more than 400 words. 25+25
1. The discipline of psychology has grown and developed through debate
between those who held that it should be modelled on natural science and
those who subscribed to the view that it has to follow the model of social
science. What arguments you envision for or against these views? What
position you would like to endorse and why?
Topic directly from NCERTs Psychology textbook of class XI. Sufficient content
to write 400 words.
2. Bring out the key developmental challenges faced by adolescents in the
cognitive and social domains.
Present in standard Psychology book. Can be answered following NCERT,
Morgan & King or Baron.
Question 4: Answer the following, each in not more than 250 words: 15+20+15
1. Why our representations of the external world are not entirely accurate?
Can be found in any standard book on psychology, the chapter is perception.
2. Describe and evaluate the modal model of short-term memory.
Atkinson and Shiffrin is called the modal model. Though Atkinson and Shiffrin
model is elaborately discussed in Morgan & Kings book, it is nowhere mentioned
that it is called the modal model.
3. Describe the basic elements of observation and bring out the implications
of the dimension of participation in observational research.
There is an entire chapter devoted to Observation Method in e-gyankosh. It has
sufficient content on Participant observation to write 250 words on the topic.
Question 5: Answer each in 150 words. 10 x 5 =50
1. What is the situational critique of trait psychology?
Can be answered from Mishras book on Psychology. Copy-pasting from the
chapter on Personality
Our situations are dynamic in nature, and, therefore, if the situation varies the
consistency of behavioural characteristics may also change. Such variations make
the behavioural traits unstable or inconsistent.
2. Explain Sternbergs view of intelligence and bring out its implication for
schooling.
Discussed in NCERTs textbook of Class XII.
3. Every function in the childs development appears twice : first on social
level and later. on the individual level. Vygotsky. Discuss the above
statement and indicate your own position on this proposition.
Have been discussed in NCERTs textbook of Class XI.
4. What are the process of language production?
Discussed in NCERTs textbook of Class XI.
5. How do novices differ from experts?
The difference with respect to language production can be answered from
NCERTs textbook of Class XI.
Question 6: Answer the following, each in not more than 250 words :15+20+15
1. Bring out the role of left and right hemispheres in emotional experience.
Discussed in detail in Barons book on psychology. The topic is directly from
syllabus: Physiological basis of emotion.
2. What is intrinsic motivation? Why it gets reduced if the person gets
external rewind for undertaking a task that he or she loves?
Discussed in detail in Mishras book on psychology in the chapter on Motivation
under the heading of Intrinsic and Extrinsic framework of Motivation.
3. Explain correspondence bias. I s it universal or culturally variable?
Directly from Barons book on psychology. The topic is mentioned explicitly in
the syllabus: Theories of Attribution.
Question 7: Answer the following each in more than 400 words :25+25
1. What is the role of social categorization in the formation of prejudice?
Suggest some strategies to reduce prejudice.
Social categorization in the origin of prejudice have been discussed in Barons
book on psychology. The strategies to reduce prejudice is also there in the same
chapter Social Thought and Social Behaviour.
2. How the psychoanalytic view differs from physiological or cognitive view
of dream?
Psychoanalytic, physiological and cognitive views on sleep are discussed in
Barons book on psychology in the chapter States of Consciousness.
Question 8: Answer the following. each in not more than 250 words: 15+20+15
1. What are the requirements to be met by psychological assessment tools for
offering accurate and useful measure of psychological constructs?
2. What makes a persuasive attempt effective? Discuss.
From Barons book, the chapter is Social Thought and Social Behaviour.
3. Describe the I ndian approach to personality as reflected in the principle of
three Gunas.
Trigunas discussed in NCERTs textbook on psychology of class XII, in the
chapter Self and Personality, under type approaches. The Indian approach to
personality is explicitly mentioned in the syllabus.
Analysis: PAPER-II
Again, similar structure like last year.
Now, the lists of books, materials and websites that will help in Psychology Paper-
1:
1. NCERT Psychology Textbooks of classes XII.
2. Abnormal Psychology: Coleman
3. Educational Psychology: Mangal
4. Applied Psychology: Smarak Swain
5. E-gyankosh
6. [Link]
7. List of important topics in Psychology by Ghamshyam Thori, IAS:
[Link]
Psychology-pdf
Applied Psychology by Smarak Swain is the best book for Paper-II. All the topics
are covered in sufficient detail. You can consult other books and materials as and
when needed. Though personally I think this one book will suffice.
All the questions asked in this years question can be answered from this one book.
So I am not doing a question-wise analysis here.
Wish you all the best for your endeavour!
-Swagata Tarafdar
Appendix: Question paper of Psychology
Mains 2013
skeleton remains same as earlier: two sections, attempt five out of eight
questions, question #1 and #5 compulsory
And out of the remaining, any three are to be attempted choosing at least
ONE from each section.
250 marks, 3 hours for each paper.
Psychology Paper 1: Section A
Question 1: Answer the following, each in not more than 150 words. 105=50
marks
1. Critically evaluate the cognitive approach to the study of psychological
phenomena.
2. What is ethnocentrism? Bow is it reflected in psychological research?
3. What factors contribute to the encoding of information into LTM?
4. How flow of genes affect development?
5. Describe different reinforcement schedules and indicate their effects on the
strength of learning.
Question 2: Answer each in not more than 250 words :15+20+15
1. What do you understand by effect size and statistical power? Explain
their significance.
2. Discuss the importance of early relationship lor developmental outcomes in
the light of researches by Bowlby and Anisworth.
3. Compare template matching and feature detection accounts of pattern
recognition.
Question 3: Answer the following, each in not more than 400 words. 25+25
1. The discipline of psychology has grown and developed through debate
between those who held that it should be modelled on natural science and
those who subscribed to the view that it has to follow the model of social
science. What arguments you envision for or against these views? What
position you would like to endorse and why?
2. Bring out the key developmental challenges faced by adolescents in the
cognitive and social domains.
Question 4: Answer the following, each in not more than 250 words: 15+20+15
1. Why our representations of the external world are not entirely accurate?
2. Describe and evaluate the modal model of short-term memory.
3. Describe the basic elements of observation and bring out the implications of
the dimension of participation in observational research.
Psychology Paper I: Section B
Question 5: Answer each in 150 words. 10 x 5 =50
1. What is the situational critique of trait psychology?
2. Explain Sternbergs view of intelligence and bring out its implication for
schooling.
3. Every function in the childs development appears twice : first on social
level and later. on the individual level. Vygotsky. Discuss the above
statement and indicate your own position on this proposition.
4. What are the process of language production?
5. How do novices differ from experts?
Question 6: Answer the following, each in not more than 250 words :15+20+15
1. Bring out the role of left and right hemispheres in emotional experience.
2. What is intrinsic motivation? Why it gets reduced if the person gets external
rewind for undertaking a task that he or she loves?
3. Explain correspondents bias. Is it universal or culturally variable?
Question 7: Answer the following each in more than 400 words :25+25
1. What is the role of social categorization in the formation of prejudice?
Suggest some strategies to reduce prejudice.
2. How the psychoanalytic view differs from physiological or cognitive view
of dream?
Question 8: Answer the following. each in not more than 250 words: 15+20+15
1. What are the requirements to be met by psychological assessment tools for
offering accurate and useful measure of psychological constructs?
2. What makes a persuasive attempt effective? Discuss.
3. Describe the Indian approach to personality as reflected in the principle of
three Gunas.
Psychology Paper 2 Section A
Question 1: Answer the following questions in about 150 words each. 10 x 5 =50m
1. How will you ensure that a newly constructed personnel selection test
measures that it purports to measure and predicts what it intends to predict?
Explain.
2. Reflect on the major issues and contradictions related to the understanding
of well-being. Discuss with reference to current social trends.
3. How would you identify gifted children? Explain with examples.
4. Discuss the steps that can be taken to improve the quality of group decision-
making.
5. India rates very high on carbon emission. What use can be made of
psychological knowledge to reduce the level of carbon emission in India?
Question 2: Answer the following questions in about 200 words each: 15+15+20
1. What is your understanding of organizational politics? Discuss how it
impacts decision-making processes in bureaucratic organizations.
2. Discuss the psychological implications of the glass ceiling effect from the
perspective of an administrator.
3. Reflecting on the status of education in India, state whether it can help in
reducing the gap which has been experienced due to social inequality.
Question 3: Answer the following questions in about 200 words each.15+20+15
1. Discuss the relative efficacy of psycho-social and community-based
rehabilitation models in case of the physically challenged.
2. Identify relevant indices for understanding the emergence of ingroup and
outgroup processes. Discuss with the help of a suitable theoretical
framework.
3. Discuss the key determinants of consumer behaviour in India. How do
cultural values influence it?
Question 4: Answer the following questions in about 200 words each. 15+20+15
1. What psychological approach/approaches can be used to persuade those who
oppose family planning on religious grounds?
2. Identify the factors in arousal of community consciousness and also the
3. strategies for handling social problems keeping in view some of the recent
protest movements in India.
4. What are the necessary conditions required in client-centred therapy?
Discuss the therapeutic process involved in it.
Psychology Paper II Section B
Question 5: Answer the following questions in about 150 words each. 10 x 5 =50
1. Discuss how the psychological training given to sports persons can be useful
for administrators with reference to maintaining team spirit and group
morale.
2. How can psychological resilience of the personnel of the armed forces be
enhanced? Discuss.
3. Discuss how cognitive and motivational factors influence entrepreneurial
behaviour.
4. How can psychological principles be used to conserve water? Develop a
plan.
5. Define self-fulfilling prophecy. Can it affect the students performance
belonging to special categories?
Question 6: Answer the following questions in about 200 words each: 20+15+15
1. Discuss the relative significance of group factors versus personality factors
in explaining the behaviour of terrorists.
2. Identify the ethical and non-ethical uses of psychological tests especially
measuring individual differences. Provide suitable examples.
3. What bases of power are used by successful leaders to exercise influence
within organizations? Discuss.
Question 7: Answer the following questions in about 200 words each: 15 + 20+15
1. What lessons can be drawn from psychological research to promote gender
equality in the workplace?
2. What explanations are offered by psychological theories about the manner
in which media influences antisocial behavior?
3. Discuss the influences of information technology in modifying the career
perspectives of young adults with special reference to the values of life.
Question 8: Answer the following questions in about 200 words each: 20+15+15
1. Reflect on the possibility of fostering positive mental health through
indigenous therapies along with cultural practices.
2. Is religion in India at the root of social conflicts? Discuss and provide
suitable ways to deal with such conflicts.
3. Poverty alleviation is a dream spread with ulterior motives. Do you agree?
Justify your views.
Dear friends, as youre aware UPSC now requires only one optional subject in the
mains, instead of two. Therefore, Ive switched from Psychology to Public
Administration and handing over these notes to Mrunal so it could be useful to
those of you whore still in the psychology group.
Chronological account of my preparation:
June 2012 I decided to prepare for civil services. Quickly decided my optional
(Psychology and Pub Ad.).
June 2012 First 15 days Read NCERT psychology 11
th
and 12
th
line by line. It
really helped in generating interest for the subject. Did not make any notes at this
stage. Referred Shubra Saxenas blog for initial guidance. Saw previous year
questions Was able to answer some of them simply by reading NCERT felt
good Decided to go with psychology.
June 2012 Last 15 days I saw videos of Yale University by Dr. Paul Bloom on
Introduction to Psychology on [Link] ([Link]
to-psychology-with-paul-bloom/). There are other videos too but I personally liked
Paul Bloomss lecture. I made short notes along with the videos Mindmaps,
flowcharts etc.
July 2012 30 days I made notes from Psychology Robert Baron. (Robert
Baron Flipkart). Simultaneously kept referring previous year questions. Here is a
sample page from my notes:
Click to Enlarge
August 2012 Did not do much in psychology Just revised my notes once.
September 2012 I referred NCERT again Highlighted relevant texts in the
PDF. I enriched my notes from NCERT stuff Adding topics that were not
covered earlier in Baron, some extra topics, India specific examples, some
flowcharts etc.
October 2012 Opened Mukul Pathaks notes did not find them useful Did not
read more than 15 20 random pages Made no addition to my notes and never
referred Mukul Pathak again. All the topics can be easily prepared from the
standard books. Wrote few mock answers just to revise and do some answer
writing practice.
November 2012 Made notes from Smarak Swain For paper 2. I think this one
book is enough for paper 2. I could not complete it As got caught up with other
urgent issues that needed my attention.
December 2012 Rumor mills of pattern change. Stopped my psychology
preparation and revised whatever I had prepared (notes) I had plans to cover
Atkinson and Hilgard in the month of Feb 2013 Once the notification for CSE
2013 gets published. Atkinson is a good book for quoting relevant experiments and
researches.
Pattern changed My tryst with psychology also came to an end. Ive no regrets
though. Knowledge gained is never wasted.
My Booklist and Suggestion:
1. Do not underestimate NCERT.
2. NIOS Material is basic Can give a quick read.
3. Robert Baron Psychology do a detailed study supplement it with
internet.
4. Atkinson & Hilgard For recent researchs and experiments quote in your
answers.
5. Smarak Swain, Applied Psychology: India Specific and Cross-cultural
Perspectives by (New Vishal Publication): Mug it up.
6. Cover recent news articles quote wherever relevant.
7. Mukul Pathak notes are not a Must do You can cover all the relevant
topics from standard books.
8. Revise.
9. Use flowcharts and diagrams liberally.
Download Links for psychology
Psychology Material for IAS IPS Exam Click to download
Psychology Handwritten notes
Page 1 to 100
Page 101 onwards
Last 34 years Question Paper (1979 to 2012) Click ME
NCERT Psychology Textbooks
Class 11
Class12
NIOS Psychology Textbooks
Secondary Course
Senior Secondary Course
Newspaper reports related to psychology Click me
(Youtube) UGC Lectures on Psychology Click me
Video lectures of [Link] Bloom Click me
Mrunal notes:
Ive not converted scanned images into PDFs because it drastically increases
the file size= takes way longer time to download (unless I reduce the image
quality, but then it becomes difficult to read.) Anyways, there is no dearth of
image to PDF softwares on net if you want.
You might need 7-zip (for unzipping the files) click me for free download
for IGNOU BA/ MA psychology material visit [Link] (their server
giving headache, so not compiling at the moment).
for similar free study materials of Public Administration, sociology, political
science, visit [Link]/download
[Link]
[Link]
