UPSC Mains 2016 Psychology Optional Paper I questions

29 questions from the Civil Services (Main) Examination 2016. Official UPSC paper (PDF) · All Psychology Optional PYQs

1. Answer each of the following questions in about 150 words

2. Explain how the fundamental understanding of psychology is helpful in the resolution of societal problems.

   10 marks

3. How can confounding variables invalidate the apparent results of an experiment?

   10 marks

4. "Cognitive psychologists often use computer as an analogy to explain the relation between cognition and brain." Discuss.

   10 marks

5. Identify the most important changes that occur during adolescence.

   10 marks

6. What do you understand by amnesia? Illustrate the types of amnesia with reference to the case of "H.M.'s brain operation".

   10 marks

7. Discuss, with suitable examples, the key characteristics of within-group and between-groups designs.

8. Describe the processing of sensory input and explain how it is selected, organized and interpreted.

   15 marks

9. Show your acquaintance with the cognitive approach to classical conditioning and describe how classical conditioning principles can be used to solve everyday problems.

   20 marks

10. Give a critical appraisal of interference theory of forgetting and show how the process of retrieval inhibition influences forgetting.

    20 marks

11. Describe the phenomenon of subliminal perception and explain it with reference to the concepts of backward marking and visual priming. Do you think that the effect of the phenomenon of subliminal perception can be generalized?

    15 marks

12. Describe the parenting styles that are used in raising a normal child.

    15 marks

13. How far do you agree with the contention that a more preferred activity can be used to reinforce a less preferred activity? Also describe the types of reinforcement.

    15 marks

14. Explain the phenomena of implicit and explicit memories. Also critically evaluate Tulving's model of long-term memory.

    20 marks

15. Answer each of the following questions in about 150 words

16. Describe the characteristics of Gardner's theory of intelligence.

    10 marks

17. Explain different types of psycho-active drugs and patterns of their use.

    10 marks

18. Discuss cognitive dissonance theory of attitude change.

    10 marks

19. Explain the contribution of Salovey and Mayer with regard to the concept of emotional intelligence.

    10 marks

20. What is meant by attribution? Describe, citing examples, the phenomenon of attributional augmentation.

    10 marks

21. Explain the components of attitude and examine the methods of attitude formation.

    15 marks

22. Distinguish between mundane and exceptional creativities and citing suitable research evidences, describe the confluence approach to creativity.

    20 marks

23. Are projective tests really projective in nature? Describe Rorschach and TAT tests and comment on their reliabilities.

    15 marks

24. Critically examine the metacognitive processes in problem solving. How do functional fixedness and mental set interfere in solving the problems effectively?

    15 marks

25. Explain motivational concepts with reference to homeostatic models.

    15 marks

26. Describe the physiological changes that are accompanied by shifts in consciousness in the process of sleep. Also discuss major sleep disorders.

    20 marks

27. Give a comparative account of information processing models of intelligence proposed by Sternberg and J.P.

28. Discuss the Indian approach to personality as evident in tri-gunas.

    15 marks

29. Discuss the components of language acquisition citing the average age at which these are demonstrated by a child.