UPSC Psychology Optional Syllabus
🧠 UPSC Psychology Optional Syllabus 2025
📘 Paper 1: Foundations of Psychology
1. Introduction
1.1 Definition of Psychology
1.2 Historical antecedents and trends in the 21st century
1.3 Psychology and scientific methods
1.4 Relation with other social and natural sciences
1.5 Application to societal problems
2. Methods of Psychology
2.1 Types of research: Descriptive, Evaluative, Diagnostic, Prognostic
2.2 Methods: Survey, Observation, Case-study, Experiments
2.3 Experimental and Non-experimental designs; Quasi-experimental design
2.4 Focused group discussions, Brainstorming, Grounded theory approach
3. Research Methods
3.1 Steps in research: Problem, Hypothesis, Design, Sampling, Tools, Analysis, Interpretation, Report writing
3.2 Fundamental vs Applied research
3.3 Methods of data collection: Interview, Observation, Questionnaire, Case study
3.4 Research designs: Ex-post facto & Experimental
3.5 Statistical techniques: t-test, Two-way ANOVA, Correlation, Regression, Factor analysis, Item response theory
4. Development of Human Behaviour
4.1 Growth and development
4.2 Role of genetics and environment
4.3 Cultural influence and socialisation
4.4 Life-span development: Characteristics, tasks, psychological well-being
5. Sensation, Attention and Perception
5.1 Sensation: Thresholds, Signal-detection, Vigilance
5.2 Attention: Set, Stimulus characteristics
5.3 Perception: Biological bases, Organisation, Experience, Defence
5.4 Factors: Space & depth, Size, Readiness, Plasticity
5.5 Subliminal perception, Culture, Extrasensory perception
6. Learning
6.1 Theories: Behaviourist, Gestalt, Information-processing
6.2 Processes: Extinction, Discrimination, Generalisation
6.3 Programmed, Probability, Self-instructional learning
6.4 Reinforcement: Types & Schedules
6.5 Escape, Avoidance, Punishment, Modelling, Social learning
7. Memory
7.1 Types: Sensory, Short-term, Long-term, Iconic, Echoic
7.2 Models: Multistore, Levels of Processing
7.3 Techniques: Organisation, Mnemonics
7.4 Theories of forgetting: Decay, Interference, Retrieval failure
7.5 Metamemory, Amnesia: Anterograde & Retrograde
8. Thinking and Problem Solving
8.1 Piaget’s theory
8.2 Concept formation
8.3 Reasoning and Information Processing
8.4 Factors influencing problem-solving
8.5 Methods of problem-solving
8.6 Creative thinking, Creativity development
8.7 Decision-making, Judgement, Trends
9. Motivation and Emotion
9.1 Psychological & physiological bases
9.2 Measurement
9.3 Behavioural effects
9.4 Intrinsic vs Extrinsic motivation
9.5 Emotional competence and related issues
10. Intelligence and Aptitude
10.1 Concepts of intelligence and aptitude
10.2 Theories: Spearman, Thurstone, Guilford, Vernon, Sternberg, J.P. Das
10.3 Emotional & Social intelligence
10.4 IQ: Deviation IQ, Constancy, Measurement
10.5 Multiple, Fluid & Crystallized intelligence
11. Personality
11.1 Definition & Concepts
11.2 Theories: Psychoanalytic, Socio-cultural, Interpersonal, Developmental, Humanistic, Behaviouristic, Trait, Type
11.3 Measurement: Projective, Pencil-paper tests
11.4 Indian approach
11.5 Personality training
11.6 Big Five Theory
11.7 Self in different traditions
12. Attitudes, Values and Interests
12.1 Definitions
12.2 Components, Formation, Maintenance
12.3 Measurement
12.4 Attitude change theories
12.5 Value fostering strategies
12.6 Stereotypes, Prejudices, Attribution theories
12.7 Behaviour change, Recent trends
13. Language and Communication
13.1 Human language: Properties, Structure, Hierarchy
13.2 Language acquisition: Predisposition, Critical period
13.3 Development theories: Skinner, Chomsky
13.4 Communication: Process, Types, Training
14. Psychology of Gender
14.1 Computer applications in psychology
14.2 Artificial intelligence, Psychocybernetics
14.3 Consciousness studies: Sleep, Dreams, Deprivation, Meditation
14.4 Drug-induced/Hypnotic states
14.5 Extrasensory/Intersensory perception
14.6 Simulation studies
📗 Paper 2: Psychology — Issues and Applications
1. Psychological Measurement of Individual Differences
1.1 Nature of individual differences
1.2 Standardised test construction
1.3 Types of psychological tests
1.4 Uses, Misuses, Limitations
1.5 Ethical issues
2. Psychological Well-being and Mental Disorders
2.1 Health, Ill-health, Positive health
2.2 Mental disorders: Anxiety, Mood, Schizophrenia, Delusional, Personality, Substance-abuse
2.3 Positive health, Lifestyle, Quality of life
2.4 Happiness disposition
3. Therapeutic Approaches
3.1 Psychodynamic therapy
3.2 Behavioural therapy
3.3 Client-centered therapy
3.4 Cognitive therapies
3.5 Indigenous therapies: Yoga, Meditation
3.6 Biofeedback therapy
3.7 Prevention & Rehabilitation
3.8 Fostering mental health
4. Work Psychology and Organisational Behaviour
4.1 Personnel selection & training
4.2 Psych tests in industry
4.3 HRD
4.4 Work motivation theories: Herzberg, Maslow, Adam, Porter-Lawler, Vroom
4.5 Leadership, Participatory management
4.6 Marketing, Advertising
4.7 Stress management, Ergonomics
4.8 Consumer psychology
4.9 Managerial effectiveness
4.10 Transformational leadership
4.11 Sensitivity training
4.12 Power & politics in organisations
5. Application to Education
5.1 Psychological principles of teaching-learning
5.2 Learning styles
5.3 Special groups: Gifted, Retarded, Disabled
5.4 Memory training, Academic enhancement
5.5 Personality & value education
5.6 Guidance & Career counselling
5.7 Psych tests in education
5.8 Effective guidance strategies
6. Community Psychology
6.1 Definition & concept
6.2 Small group role in social action
6.3 Community awareness & change
6.4 Group decision-making, Leadership
6.5 Social change strategies
7. Rehabilitation Psychology
7.1 Prevention levels: Primary, Secondary, Tertiary
7.2 Rehabilitation of physically, mentally, socially challenged
7.3 Juvenile delinquency, Substance abuse
7.4 Victims of violence, HIV/AIDS
7.5 Role of social agencies
8. Disadvantaged Groups
8.1 Concepts: Disadvantage, Deprivation
8.2 Social, Cultural, Economic consequences
8.3 Education & Motivation
8.4 Relative & prolonged deprivation
9. Social Integration Problems
9.1 Concept of social integration
9.2 Issues: Caste, Class, Religion, Language
9.3 Ingroup-outgroup prejudice
9.4 Causes of conflict & prejudice
9.5 Conflict resolution strategies
9.6 Integration measures
10. Psychology in IT and Mass Media
10.1 Psychologists in IT/media boom
10.2 Training for IT/media
10.3 Distance learning, E-commerce, MLM
10.4 Media impact on values
10.5 Psychological effects of IT
11. Psychology and Economic Development
11.1 Achievement motivation
11.2 Entrepreneurial behaviour
11.3 Training for entrepreneurship
11.4 Youth & women entrepreneurship
11.5 Consumer rights & awareness
11.6 Govt policies
12. Environment and Related Fields
12.1 Environmental psychology
12.2 Effects: Noise, Pollution, Crowding
12.3 Population psychology
12.4 Psychological effects of population
12.5 Small family motivation
12.6 Environmental degradation
13. Other Fields of Psychology
13.1 Military Psychology: Tests, Selection, Training, Counselling, Health, Engineering
13.2 Sports Psychology: Performance in Individual/Team games
13.3 Media Psychology: Pro-social & anti-social behaviour
13.4 Psychology of Terrorism
14. Psychology of Gender
14.1 Discrimination & diversity management
14.2 Glass ceiling, Self-fulfilling prophecy
14.3 Role of women in Indian society
