UPSC Mains 2020 Psychology Optional Paper II questions

28 questions from the Civil Services (Main) Examination 2020. Official UPSC paper (PDF) · All Psychology Optional PYQs

1. What is meant by social integration? How can religious harmony be promoted to attain social integration in the present scenario in India?

   10 marks

2. Bring out the role of social agencies in the rehabilitation of persons suffering from substance abuse.

3. "Values cannot be fostered through TV and mass media'. Critically evaluate the statement.

4. What is meant by glass ceiling effect? Discuss the factors that facilitated some women to break this glass ceiling. Illustrate with some examples.

5. Women in a remote village have been deprived of development related benefits. What steps would you suggest to enable women to take advantage of these benefits?

6. Explain the nature of diversity in today's organizations in India. What steps should organizations take to manage diversity?

   5 marks

7. What are the challenges in the development and uses of psychological tests? Illustrate with examples.

   15 marks

8. Enumerate the major purposes of psychological testing in educational settings and discuss ways in which psychological testing helps both the teacher and student.

   20 marks

9. How does categorization as in-group and out-group influence social relations? How can such influence of categorization be minimized? Discuss with examples.

   5 marks

10. Environmental degradation is a major issue. Explain what has led to this and how it has impacted the life of people and society in India.

    15 marks

11. How media influences pro and anti-social behaviour? Discuss one instance of pro-social and one instance of anti-social behaviour.

    20 marks

12. How can psychology contribute in managing IT and mass media for 'Atma Nirbhar Bharat'? Discuss.

    5 marks

13. Who are juvenile delinquents? Discuss the steps involved in the rehabilitation and prevention of juvenile delinquency.

    15 marks

14. What are the potential sources of stress for people working in research and development organisations? Discuss some of the individual and organizational approaches in these organizations to manage stress.

    20 marks

15. Explain the psychological conceptualization that helps in understanding the economic development.

16. How are indigenous therapies an alternative to classical insight therapies? Discuss.

17. How has population growth impacted human and social lives? Discuss this in the light of COVID-l9 pandemic crisis.

18. Discuss the factors that contribute to political behaviour in organizations.

19. In what ways psychological tests are better tools in assessing individual differences? Explain.

20. Identify and discuss the key elements contributing to effective social change in a marginalized community.

    5 marks

21. On the basis of psychology of motivation write a programme-sketch for entrepreneurship development.

    5 marks

22. Illustrate the basic tenets of psycho-dynamic and client centered therapies. Discuss the effectiveness of these therapies as forms of treatment of mental disorders.

    20 marks

23. What are some of the problems faced by defence personnel posted in tough terrain? Discuss how positive mental health can be promoted among them.

    5 marks

24. Describe and evaluate the techniques used in the training for memory development.

    5 marks

25. Describe the symptoms of depression and mood disorder. Give an account of etiological factors and suggest the appropriate therapeutic treatment for these disorders.

    20 marks

26. In case of highly skilled professionals does their motivation come from within or is it the result of situational factors? Explain this in the light of theories of motivation.

    5 marks

27. How are schizophrenic disorders different from anxiety disorders? Explain with examples.

    15 marks

28. Think of a social group which has been subjected to prolonged deprivation. In what ways prolonged deprivation has impacted the lives of people belonging to this group? Suggest ways to mitigate these effects.

    20 marks