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MPSC Main - Psychology Syllabus

Paper I

Standard : Degree	Total Marks : 200
Nature of Paper : Conventional Type	Duration : 3 Hours

Note :	1)	Answers to this paper must be written in English only
	2)	This paper will test the candidate's ability to comprehend, to analyse, to interpret, to criticise and to appraise subject matter related to the topics/sub- topics mentioned below.
	3)	It is expected from candidates to study the latest and recent developments and happenings pertaining to the topics/sub- topics mentioned below.

Section - A (Marks : 50)
1)	Introduction :
	01)	Psychology as a science : nature and definition
	02)	Basic Perspectives - biological, psychodynamic, cognitive, behavioural, humanistic
	03)	Psychology in relation to other social sciences
	04)	Using interdisciplinary approach to the study of human behaviour
2)	Methods of Study in Psychology :
	01)	The Correlation method (knowledge through systematic observation) and Experimentation (knowledge through systematic intervention)
	02)	Different Research Methods in Psychology - archival research, naturalistic observation, survey research, the case study, experimental research (laboratory and field experiments)
3)	The Process of Psychological Research :
	01)	Types of Research : fundamental v/s applied
	02)	Steps involved in the psychological research- a)Statement of the problem- Hypothesis etc b)Design of research study (laboratory study, quasi-experiment or field experiment, ex-post-facto research) c)Sampling and data collection d)Analysis of data (statistical techniques - t test, one-way ANOVA, correlation and regression analysis, Chi-square) e)Conclusion from research
Section - B (Marks : 50)
4)	Attention and Perception:
	01)	Attention process - determinants - external and internal, selective attention - filter theory, multimode theory
	02)	Perception - Gestalt laws of organization, feature analysis - focusing on the parts of the whole (top-down and bottom-up process)
	03)	Perceptual constancy, depth perception, motion perception
	04)	Subliminal perception, perceptual defence, extra-sensory perception (process of Psi)
	05)	The plasticity of perception - to what extent is it innate or learned ?
5)	Learning :
	01)	Concept and nature of learning
	02)	Basic forms of learning :a)Classical conditioning and its applications b)Operant conditioning (nature and principles of operant conditioning and its applications) c)Social learning (learning through imitation - modelling, basic principles and applications)
6)	Memory :
	01)	Concept and nature of memory - encoding, storage and retrieval
	02)	Three systems of memory - sensory memory, short-term memory and long-term memory a)Sensory memory : iconic and echoic memory b)Short-term memory : chunk (transfer and storage of seven plus or minus two chunks to short-term memory), rehearsal, working memory c)Long-term memory (the final store house) : the modules of memory - declarative memory (semantic and episodic memory) and procedural memory, explicit and implicit memory, level of processing theory
	03)	Recalling long-term memory - retrieval cues, flash bulb memories, constructive processes in memory - schemas
	04)	Forgetting - memory trace, interference (proactive and retroactive interference)
Section - C (Marks : 50)
7)	Human Development :
	01)	Biological contribution - the role of heredity, the role of brain
	02)	Cultural influence, impact of family, the socialization process, the immediate situational impact
	03)	Development across the entire life span - Erikson’s eight stages of life
	04)	Social change in adulthood - tasks and stages of adult life, Levinson’s stages of adult life
	05)	Parenting and social development
	06)	Aging and death : theories of aging (wear and tear, genetic theories), meeting death - facing the end of life
8)	Motivation and Emotions :
	01)	The concept of motivation, components of motivation - needs and incentives
	02)	Theories of motivation : instinct theory, drive reduction theory, arousal theory, cognitive theory, need-hierarchy theory
	03)	Primary drives and secondary drives (achievement, affiliation and power)
	04)	Emotions : the concept of emotions, functions of emotions
	05)	Theories of emotion : James-Lange theory, Canon-Bard theory, Schachter and Singer theory
	06)	Physiological reactions in emotions, external expressions of emotions (facial expressions, body language - gestures, posture and movement)
9)	Personality :
	01)	Personality - Concept, Nature & development
	02)	Theories of personality (psychoanalytic approach, trait approach, learning approach, social-cognitive approach, humanistic approach)
	03)	Measurement of personality (projective test, self-report inventories)
	04)	Indian approach : Triguna theory, the concept of Sthitaprajna (a man of settled wisdom)
	05)	Personality development through training
10)	Attitudes and Values :
	01)	The concept of attitude and its components
	02)	Forming and maintaining attitudes
	03)	Measuring attitudes (attitude scales)
	04)	Persuasion - changing attitudes
	05)	The concept of values
	06)	Types of values and their impact on behaviour
	07)	Fostering attitudes and values - strategies
Section - D (Marks : 50)
11)	Cognition - Thinking, Decision Making and Problem Solving :
	01)	Thinking : concept and nature, mental images
	02)	Concepts : categorizing, prototypes, artificial and natural concepts
	03)	Problem solving : steps involved a)Preparation b)Production and judgment c)Generating solutions - trial and error, means-end-analysis, sub goals, insight
	04)	Creativity : Definition of creativity, divergent and convergent thinking, and fostering creativity
	05)	Decision making : heuristics (availability, representativesness, anchoring, framing and escalation of commitment)
12)	Intelligence :
	01)	Nature of intelligence - is intelligence unified or multifaceted ? - views of Spearman, Thurstone, Cattell, Gardner, Guilfold
	02)	Information processing approach - Stenberg’s triarchic theory
	03)	Measuring human intelligence - concepts of IQ and mental age, nature of intelligence tests
	04)	Individual differences in intelligence - role of heredity and environment
	05)	Emotional intelligence : the concept of emotional intelligence and its measurement
13)	Language and Communication :
	01)	Language - basic nature : production of speech (phonemes, morphemes and syntax), speech comprehension, surface structure and deep structure
	02)	Development of language : theories (learning theory - Skinner, universal grammar and language acquisition device - Chomsky)
	03)	Language and thought : linguistic reality hypothesis
	04)	Communication : nature of communication process, making communication effective
14)	Emerging Trends :
	01)	Use of computers in the psychological experimentation and testing
	02)	Artificial Intelligence
	03)	Psychocybernatics
	04)	States of consciousness : sleep-wake schedules
	05)	Hypnosis - its use in therapy and individual development
	06)	Meditation - its use in stress management and improving the sense of well-being

Paper II

Standard : Degree	Total Marks : 200
Nature of Paper : Conventional Type	Duration : 3 Hours

Note :	1)	Answers to this paper must be written in English only
	2)	This paper will test the candidate's ability to comprehend, to analyse, to interpret, to criticise and to appraise subject matter related to the topics/sub- topics mentioned below.
	3)	It is expected from candidates to study the latest and recent developments and happenings pertaining to the topics/sub- topics mentioned below.

Section - A(Marks : 50)
1)	Psychological Measurement of Individual Differences:
	01)	The nature of individual differences
	02)	Basic requirements for all psychologicaltests - reliability, validity, norms, standardization
	03)	Types of psychological tests
	04)	Uses and limitations of psychological tests
	05)	Ethical issues and socio-cultural biases in IQ and other tests
2)	Well-being and Mental Health :
	01)	The concepts of mental health and well-being
	02)	Psychological disorders - anxiety, mooddisorders, personality disorders, substance abuse disorders, schizophreniaand delusional disorders
	03)	Determinants of disorders, positive health and life style
3)	Approaches to the Treatment of Psychological Disorders :
	01)	Psychodynamic approach
	02)	Behavioural approach
	03)	Cognitive approach
	04)	Humanistic approach
	05)	Indian approaches – Yoga and Vipassana
	06)	Prevention of mental illness and rehabilitation of mentally ill
4)	Community Psychology :
	01)	Community psychology nature and scope
	02)	Role of community psychologists in social change
	03)	Arousing community consciousness andaction for handling social problems
	04)	Role of leadership in group decision making for social change
Section - B(Marks : 50)
5)	School and Counselling Psychology :
	01)	Applying psychological principles to classroom teaching andlearning
	02)	Learning styles of intellectually exceptional and mentallyretarded
	03)	Special education for mentally disabled
	04)	Value Education and personality development of students
	05)	Counselling for improving memory andacademic performance
	06)	Counselling students to cope withstresses
	07)	Counselling students to adjust with school environment
	08)	Vocational Guidance and career counselling
	09)	Using psychological tests in counselling and Scholasticperformance
6)	The Role of Psychology in Information Technology and Mass Media :
	01)	Current status of the field of IT andMass Media and the role of psychology in it
	02)	Selection and training of professionalpsychologists who are desirous of working in the field of IT and Mass Media
	03)	Distance learningprocess through IT and Mass Media : Scope andlimitations
	04)	Entrepreneurship through e-commerce
	05)	Effect of TV on behaviour of people;fostering moral values through IT and Mass Media
	06)	Psychological consequences of recent advancements in IT
7)	Psychology Applied to SocialIntegration:
	01)	Psycho- Social integration and multiculturalism
	02)	The problem of intergroup conflicts dueto caste, class, religion and language discrimination
	03)	The concept of prejudice and its origins(direct intergroup conflict; social categorization; the role of sociallearning and stereotypes)
	04)	Reducing prejudice and discrimination(learning not to hate, direct intergroup contact, re-categorization - toreduce the “we-they” feeling between the in-group and out-group members)
Section - C(Marks : 50)
8)	Work Psychology, Organisational Behaviour and Psychology Appliedto Marketing :
	01)	Personnel selection and evaluation of employee performance
	02)	Training and HRD - employee training and management development
	03)	Work Motivation - nature and concept ofwork motivation, theories of work motivation (need hierarchy, two-factortheory and expectancy theory)
	04)	Leadership - the concept of leadership;what makes a leader successful (trait, behavioural and contingencyapproaches)
	05)	Advertising andmarketing : psychological appeal and other factorsaffecting advertising effectiveness and marketing strategies
	06)	Consumer Behaviour - consumer needs andmotivation; psychological factors in consumer buying behaviour (learningexperiences, personality, attitudes and beliefs, self-concept)
9)	Military and Police Psychology :
	01)	Role of psychology inthe military services : psychological warfare; motivation andmorale of defence personnel
	02)	Role of Psychology inthe Police services : a)Motivation and morale of police personnel b)Understanding criminal behavior and corrective measures c)Types, causes andinterventions with respect to– Crimeagainst women, Suicide, Homicide d)Psychological aspects in riot management
	03)	Psychological counsellingof Defence personnel and Police personnel
10)	Psychology and Economic Development :
	01)	Achievement, motivation and economicdevelopment
	02)	Basic attributes of entrepreneurial behaviour
	03)	Motivating and training people to take up entrepreneurial role
	04)	Promoting entrepreneurship among women
	05)	Consumer rights and consumer laws
11)	Environmental Psychology :
	01)	Effects of noise, temperature andenvironmental toxins on human behaviour
	02)	Architectural psychology - concept andnature; territoriality; personal space; crowding
	03)	Psychological consequences of populationexplosion and high population density
	04)	Motivating people to adopt small family norms
	05)	The phenomenon of global warming;adverse effect of rapid scientific and technological development on theenvironment and human behaviour
Section - D(Marks : 50)
12)	Rehabilitation Psychology :
	01)	Role of psychologists in preventionprogrammes and in promotion of well-being
	02)	Initiating rehabilitation programmes forphysically challenged, mentally retarded and socially disadvantaged persons
	03)	Rehabilitating the victims of substanceabuse, juvenile delinquency, criminal behaviour and violence
	04)	Rehabilitation of HIV/AIDS victims
13)	Application of Psychology toDisadvantaged Groups :
	01)	The concept of disadvantaged and socially deprived
	02)	Socio-economic and psychologicalconsequences of being socially deprived and disadvantaged
	03)	Intervention strategies for development of socially disadvantaged
14)	Application of Psychology to Health,Sports and Other areas :
	01)	Role of motivation in improving sports performance
	02)	Personality differences between peoplewho participate in sports and exercise programmes and those who do not
	03)	Relationship between psychologicalfactors and physical ailments or diseases
	04)	Role of psychological factors in the prevention of and recoveryfrom illness
	05)	Stress : causes, effects and coping
	06)	Psychological factors in political and voting behaviour
	07)	Psychological aspects of corruption
	08)	Psychology of terrorism and intervention strategies