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UPSC Psychology PYQs 2015 | Vaidra | Vaidra
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Psychology UPSC PYQ 2015

72 questions from the UPSC 2015 examination.

72 questions

1Medium20 marks

"Children are not born with stereotypes; they learn them from their family, peers, media and society."-Discuss.

2Medium50 marks

Q4 (Paper 2). (a) Indian soldiers defend the country in extreme and, at times, hostile physical environments. What kinds of psychological problems are they likely to experience? (15 marks) (b) What specific role can psychologists play in the management and rehabilitation of persons suffering from HIV/AIDS? (15 marks) (c) According to Social Identity Theory, social categorization and differentiation processes are implicated in intergroup conflict. Evaluate the theory against available research evidence. (20 marks)

3Medium15 marks

Elucidate the learning principles underlying behaviour therapies. Examine the relative efficacy of cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy in helping students overcome social anxiety.

4Medium50 marks

Q7 (Paper 1). (a) Describe the trait and type approaches to personality. Highlight Jung's typology with its weaknesses. (20 marks) (b) Why are we awake at certain times and asleep at others? Explain this with help of opponent process model. (15 marks) (c) What is an aptitude? Describe the various tests of aptitudes. (15 marks)

5Medium15 marks

Describe Piaget's stages of cognitive development. Critique his theory.

6Medium15 marks

Psychologists have recently identified a disorder which they term 'internet-addiction'. What are its presenting features? How can those suffering from this addiction be helped?

7Medium15 marks

What specific role can psychologists play in the management and rehabilitation of persons suffering from HIV/AIDS?

8Medium50 marks

Q7 (Paper 2). (a) Religious violence in India has shown only a marginal decline over the years. What social and psychological factors explain it the most? (15 marks) (b) How is population growth in India affected by psychological processes of attribution, beliefs and values? Discuss possible implications of these processes for population education in India. (15 marks) (c) How will you go about constructing a test for assessing aptitude for Civil Services? Discuss the details. (20 marks)

9Medium10 marks

How far is it correct to state that most of the problems of psychology can be addressed more adequately by adopting quasi-experimental designs?

10Medium20 marks

Distinguish between extrinsic and intrinsic motivation. Which one is more powerful and why?

11Medium50 marks

Q3 (Paper 1). (a) Under what kind of research conditions does the use of factor analysis become necessary? Discuss. (20 marks) (b) How far do you agree with the contention that research findings on infant memory can present novel approaches toward analyzing adult memories? Corroborate your answer with examples. (15 marks) (c) Review Bandura's social learning theory and evaluate its impact on understanding aggression as a result of media generated violence. (15 marks)

12Medium50 marks

Q3 (Paper 2). (a) Do you think that efficacy of personnel selection can be improved by using multiple methods? (15 marks) (b) Elucidate the learning principles underlying behaviour therapies. Examine the relative efficacy of cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy in helping students overcome social anxiety. (15 marks) (c) Why do teaching-learning processes in Indian classrooms tend to be teacher-centred? If knowledge is viewed as a constructive process, what kind of classroom would be suitable for rural Indian schools? (20 marks)

13Medium50 marks

Q5 (Paper 2). (a) To what extent would you agree that human resource development is more about inculcation of human values and less about development of competencies? (10 marks) (b) Discuss the psychological mechanisms by which television viewing affects aggression and consumer behaviour in children. (10 marks) (c) How can 'Ashtanga Yoga' help in fostering holistic health? Support your answer with research evidence. (10 marks) (d) Substance abuse is a growing phenomenon among Indian youths. Discuss the psychological causes of and intervention measures for substance abuse. (10 marks) (e) How can psychological knowledge be put to use in changing the behaviour of children inclined to consume 'junk food'? (10 marks)

14Medium20 marks

Why do teaching-learning processes in Indian classrooms tend to be teacher-centred? If knowledge is viewed as a constructive process, what kind of classroom would be suitable for rural Indian schools?

15Medium10 marks

How can psychological knowledge be put to use in changing the behaviour of children inclined to consume 'junk food'?

16Medium50 marks

Q8 (Paper 2). (a) What are some important ethical principles that psychologists must adhere to while making use of psychological tests? (15 marks) (b) Psychologists have recently identified a disorder which they term 'internet-addiction'. What are its presenting features? How can those suffering from this addiction be helped? (15 marks) (c) Tribal children in India are disadvantaged partly because of the neglect of their language and culture in education. How can education for tribal children be reformed to deal with such disadvantage? (20 marks)

17Medium10 marks

What is the phenomenon of 'group think'? How can it influence the quality of group decision making?

18Medium15 marks

Why are we awake at certain times and asleep at others ? Explain this with help of opponent process model.

19Medium50 marks

Q2 (Paper 2). (a) Does the notion of self-fulfilling prophecy relating to achievement satisfactorily explain gender differences in achievement? (15 marks) (b) Critically evaluate the relationship between economic growth and human well-being in the light of contemporary research on happiness. (15 marks) (c) What is the relationship that has been found between need for achievement, need for affiliation and need for power with economic development? Discuss the relevance of these findings in the context of Indian society. (20 marks)

20Medium10 marks

To what extent would you agree that human resource development is more about inculcation of human values and less about development of competencies?

21Medium50 marks

Q5 (Paper 1). Write short answers in about 150 words each (10x5=50 marks): (a) Discuss the brain mechanisms underlying hunger motive. (b) Evaluate the utility of J.P. Das' model in understanding the concept of intelligence. (c) Highlight the problems in assessment of personality using the pencil-paper tests. (d) Illustrate with suitable examples the non-verbal process of communication. (e) What are the general strategies used in problem solving? How do these differ from domain-specific procedures?

22Medium15 marks

What is an aptitude ? Describe the various tests of aptitudes.

23Medium50 marks

Q6 (Paper 1). (a) Distinguish between extrinsic and intrinsic motivation. Which one is more powerful and why? (20 marks) (b) Describe Piaget's stages of cognitive development. Critique his theory. (15 marks) (c) Discuss briefly the evolution of factor theory of intelligence in the works of Spearman, Thurstone and Guilford. (15 marks)

24Medium10 marks

What are the general strategies used in problem solving ? How do these differ from domain-specific procedures?

25Medium15 marks

Review Bandura's social learning theory and evaluate its impact on understanding aggression as a result of media generated violence.

26Medium20 marks

Tribal children in India are disadvantaged partly because of the neglect of their language and culture in education. How can education for tribal children be reformed to deal with such disadvantage?

27Medium15 marks

"Glass ceiling effects in organizations are rooted in socialization and family." Discuss with reference to the psychological bases of gender role development.

28Medium15 marks

Demonstrate with suitable examples how the signal detection theory has helped in modifying the process of vigilance.

29Medium15 marks

Religious violence in India has shown only a marginal decline over the years. What social and psychological factors explain it the most?

30Medium20 marks

Under what kind of research conditions does the use of factor analysis become necessary? Discuss.

31Medium15 marks

Discuss briefly the evolution of factor theory of intelligence in the works of Spearman, Thurstone and Guilford.

32Medium15 marks

With suitable examples, discuss the logic behind following the systematic steps in conducting psychological research.

33Medium50 marks

Q8 (Paper 1). (a) "Children are not born with stereotypes; they learn them from their family, peers, media and society." Discuss. (20 marks) (b) How does Chomsky's Theory differ from that of Skinner in language development? Discuss. (15 marks) (c) State the components of Big-5 factor theory of personality. Why is it considered superior to other factor theories of personality? (15 marks)

34Medium15 marks

Does the notion of self-fulfilling prophecy relating to achievement satisfactorily explain gender differences in achievement?

35Medium15 marks

Indian soldiers defend the country in extreme and, at times, hostile physical environments. What kinds of psychological problems are they likely to experience?

36Medium15 marks

Do you think that efficacy of personnel selection can be improved by using multiple methods?

37Medium50 marks

Q2 (Paper 1). (a) Keeping in view the strife in current social situation, discuss how a psychologist can contribute towards providing interventions for such problems. (15 marks) (b) Citing studies on amnesia show how the explicit and implicit memory systems are separate. (20 marks) (c) Demonstrate with suitable examples how the signal detection theory has helped in modifying the process of vigilance. (15 marks)

38Medium15 marks

State the components of Big-5 factor theory of personality. Why is it considered superior to other factor theories of personality ?

39Medium10 marks

Evaluate the notion of programmed learning and describe its relevance for modern day education with suitable examples.

40Medium20 marks

What is the relationship that has been found between need for achievement, need for affiliation and need for power with economic development? Discuss the relevance of these findings in the context of Indian society.

41Medium15 marks

How far do you agree with the contention that research findings on infant memory can present novel approaches toward analyzing adult memories? Corroborate your answer with examples.

42Medium10 marks

Discuss the psychological mechanisms by which television viewing affects aggression and consumer behaviour in children.

43Medium15 marks

How is population growth in India affected by psychological processes of attribution, beliefs and values? Discuss possible implications of these processes for population education in India.

44Medium20 marks

It has been found that cultural factors can be used to facilitate social change. What cultural factors can be made use of, and how, in making a success of the governmental programme called 'Swacch Bharat Abhiyan'?

45Medium15 marks

Do the cultural settings influence the understanding and evaluation of meanings of external stimuli? Provide suitable justification for your answer.

46Medium20 marks

How will you go about constructing a test for assessing aptitude for Civil Services? Discuss the details.

47Medium50 marks

Q1 (Paper 1). Write short answers in about 150 words each (10x5=50 marks): (a) Why is it important to understand psychological processes for other disciplines of social science? (b) Discuss the role of socio-cultural factors in promotion of well-being across major stages of life-span. (c) How far is it correct to state that most of the problems of psychology can be addressed more adequately by adopting quasi-experimental designs? (d) Evaluate the notion of programmed learning and describe its relevance for modern day education with suitable examples. (e) Bring out the disruption in retrieval processes due to anxiety, context and repression.

48Medium50 marks

Q6 (Paper 2). (a) Indian defence personnel tend to experience depression, sometimes leading to suicides. What type of psychological interventions can foster positive mental health in them? (15 marks) (b) "Glass ceiling effects in organizations are rooted in socialization and family." Discuss with reference to the psychological bases of gender role development. (15 marks) (c) It has been found that cultural factors can be used to facilitate social change. What cultural factors can be made use of, and how, in making a success of the governmental programme called 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan'? (20 marks)

49Medium20 marks

Citing studies on amnesia show how the explicit and implicit memory systems are separate.

50Medium10 marks

Substance abuse is a growing phenomenon among Indian youths. Discuss the psychological causes of and intervention measures for substance abuse.

51Medium10 marks

Discuss the brain mechanisms underlying hunger motive.

52Medium10 marks

What role can psychologists play in primary, secondary and tertiary prevention programmes in relation to terminal illness such as coronary heart disease and cancer?

53Medium15 marks

Keeping in view the strife in current social situation, discuss how a psychologist can contribute towards providing interventions for such problems.

54Medium10 marks

Evaluate the utility of J.P. Das' model in understanding the concept of intelligence.

55Medium10 marks

How are indigenous knowledge systems related to environmental degradation? Mention some psychological processes underlying environmental attitudes and values.

56Medium20 marks

According to Social Identity Theory, social categorization and differentiation processes are implicated in intergroup conflict. Evaluate the theory against available research evidence.

57Medium10 marks

Bring out the disruption in retrieval processes due to anxiety, context and repression.

58Medium10 marks

Discuss the role of socio-cultural factors in promotion of well-being across major stages of life span.

59Medium20 marks

It is believed that non-experimental designs are more relevant for explaining the emerging issues like social evils that are seen prominently in India. Discuss.

60Medium15 marks

Critically evaluate the relationship between economic growth and human well-being in the light of contemporary research on happiness.

61Medium15 marks

Indian defence personnel tend to experience depression, sometimes leading to suicides. What type of psychological interventions can foster positive mental health in them?

62Medium15 marks

How does Chomsky's Theory differ from that of Skinner in language development ? Discuss.

63Medium50 marks

Q4 (Paper 1). (a) It is believed that non-experimental designs are more relevant for explaining the emerging issues like social evils that are seen prominently in India. Discuss. (20 marks) (b) With suitable examples, discuss the logic behind following the systematic steps in conducting psychological research. (15 marks) (c) Do the cultural settings influence the understanding and evaluation of meanings of external stimuli? Provide suitable justification for your answer. (15 marks)

64Medium10 marks

Discuss some strategies for dealing with academic underachievement in Indian schools.

65Medium20 marks

Describe the trait and type approaches to personality. Highlight Jung's typology with its weaknesses.

66Medium50 marks

Q1 (Paper 2). Write short answers in about 150 words each (10x5=50 marks): (a) What is the phenomenon of 'groupthink'? How can it influence the quality of group decision making? (b) How are indigenous knowledge systems related to environmental degradation? Mention some psychological processes underlying environmental attitudes and values. (c) Discuss some strategies for dealing with academic underachievement in Indian schools. (d) What role can psychologists play in primary, secondary and tertiary prevention programmes in relation to terminal illness such as coronary heart disease and cancer? (e) Socioeconomic and educational disadvantages have been viewed from 'deficit' as well as 'difference' perspectives. Citing examples of each approach, discuss the difference between the two and their implications.

67Medium15 marks

What are some important ethical principles that psychologists must adhere to while making use of psychological tests?

68Medium10 marks

How can 'Ashtanga Yoga' help in fostering holistic health? Support your answer with research evidence.

69Medium10 marks

Why is it important to understand psychological processes for other disciplines of social science?

70Medium10 marks

Illustrate with suitable examples the non-verbal process of communication.

71Medium10 marks

Highlight the problems in assessment of personality using the pencil-paper tests.

72Medium10 marks

Socioeconomic and educational disadvantages have been viewed from 'deficit' as well as 'difference' perspectives. Citing examples of each approach, discuss the difference between the two and their implications.

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