MPSC Main - Psychology Syllabus
Updated on: Mar 20, 2013
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 - Eriksons eight stages of life | |
| 04) | Social change in adulthood - tasks and stages of adult life, Levinsons 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 - Stenbergs 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 | |
| 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 | |