Download OAS Psychology Optional Syllabus PDF

OAS Psychology Optional Syllabus

Paper-I

Foundations of Psychology

Section-A

1. Introduction : Psychology as a Science : Definitions and perspective. Psychology in

relation to other social and natural sciences. Use of interdisciplinary approach.

2.Methods of Psychology: Characteristics and components of methods in psychology

(induction, deduction and introspection). Observation, Survey, Laboratory and field

experiments. Clinical and Case study. Experimental and quasi experimental methods.

3. Research methods and quantitative analysis : Major steps in psychological research

(problem statement, hypothesis formulation, research design, sampling, tools of data

collection, analysis and interpretation and report writing). Methods of data collection

(interview, observation, questionnaire and case study). Application of statistical

techniques (t-test, one-way ANOVA, correlation and chi-square tests).

4. Development of Human Behaviour : The nature, origin and development. Role of

genetic and environmental factors in determining human behaviour. Influence of cultural

factors and socialisation. Influence of child rearing practices and its impact on the growth

and development of the individual.

5. Attention and perception : Attention – Determinants of attention including set and

characteristics of stimulus. Definition and concept of perception, biological and cultural

factors in perception. Perceptual organisation-influence of past experiences, Perceptual

defence Space and depth perception, size estimation and perceptual readiness.

6. Learning : Concepts and theories of learning (Pavlov, Skinner). The processes of

extinction, discrimination and generalisation. Programmed learning, self instructional

learning, concepts, types and the schedules of reinforcement. Modelling and social

learning, Cognitive view of learing.

7. Memory : Concepts and definition of memory and forgetting, 7+/-2 concept and

chunking; Encoding, storage and retrieval. Factors influencing retention and foregetting.

Theories of forgetting (Repression, Decay and Interference theories).

Section-B

8. Thinking and Problem Solving : Concept formation processes. Reasoning and

problem solving. Creative thinking and fostering creativity. Information processing.

Decision making and judgment.

9. Intelligence and Aptitude : Concept and definition of Intelligence and aptitude,

Nature and theories of intelligence. Measurement of Intelligence and aptitude. Concepts

and measurement of emotional and multiple intelligence.

10. Motivation and Emotion : Definition and concepts. Theories and physiological basis

of motivation and emotion. Measurement of motivation and emotion Motivation and

emotion-their effects on behaviour.

11. Personality : Concept and definition of personality. Theories of personality

(psychoanalytical, humanistic, behaviouristic, trait and type approaches). Measurement of

personality (projective tests, self report measures). The Indian approach to Personality.

Training for personality development.

12. Language and Communication : Human language-properties, structure and

linguistic hierarchy, Language acquisition-predisposition, critical period hypothesis.

Theories of language development (Skinner, Chomsky), Process and types of

communication. Effective communication and training.

13. Attitudes, Values and Interests : Definitions, concepts of attitudes, values and

interests. Formation and maintenance of attitudes. Measurement of attitudes, values and

interests. Techniques of attitude change, strategies for fostering values.

14. Recent Trends : Computer application in the Psychological laboratory and

psychological testing. Artificial Intelligence. Psychocybernetics. Study of consciousness-

sleep-wake schedules; dreams, stimulus deprivation, meditation, hypnotic/drug induced

states. Extrasensory perception.

Paper-II

Psychology : Issues and Applications

Section-A

1. Psychological Measurement of Individual Diference : The nature of individual

differences. Characteristics and construction of standardized psychological tests. Types

of psychological tests. Use, misuse and limitation of psychological tests. Ethical issues in

the use of psychological tests.

2. Well being and Mental Disorders : Concept of health, positive health, well being and

ill health. Mental disorders (Anxiety disorders, mood disorders, schizophrenia and

delusional disorders; personality disorders, substance abuse disorders). Causal factors in

mental disorders. Factors influencing positive health, well being, life style and quality of

life.

3. Therapeutic Approaches : Psychodynamic therapies. Behaviour therapies. Client

centered therapy. Cognitive therapies. Indigenous therapies (Yoga, Reiki, Meditation)

Biofeedback therapy. Prevention and rehabilitation of the mentally ill.

4. Work Psychology and Organisational Behaviour : Personnel selection and training.

Use of Psychological tests in the industry. Training and human resource development.

Theories of work motivation. Leadership and participatory management. Advertising and

marketing.

5. Application of Psychology to Educational Field : Psychological principles

underlying effective teaching-learning process.Learning styles. Gifted, retarded, learning

disabled and their training. Training for improving memory and better academic

achievement. Personality development and value education, Educational, vocational

guidance and Career counselling. Use of Psychological tests in educational institutions.

6. Community Psychology : Definition and concept of Community Psychology. Role of

community psychologists in social change. Use of small groups in social action. Arousing

community consciousness and action for handling social problems. Group decision

making and leadership for social change.

7. Rehabilitation Psychology : Primary, secondary and tertiary; prevention programmes-

role of psychologists. Organising of services for rehabilitation of physically, mentally and

socially challenged persons including old persons. Rehabilitation of persons suffering

from substance abuse, juvenile delinquency, criminal behaviours. Rehabilitation of

victims of violence. Rehabiliation of HIV/.AIDS victims.

Section-B

8. Application of Psychology to disadvantaged groups : The concepts of

disadvantaged, deprivation and socially deprived. Social, physical, cultural and economic

consequences of disadvantaged and deprived groups. Educating and motivating the

disadvantaged towards development.

9. Psychology and the problem of social integration : The concept of social

integration. The problem of caste, class, religion and language conflicts and prejudice.

Nature and manifestation of prejudice between the ingroup and outgroup. Casual factors

of such conflicts and prejudices. Psychological strategies for handling the conflicts and

prejudices. Measures to achieve social integration.

10. Application of psychology in Information Technology and Mass media : The

present scenario of information technology and the mass media boom and the role of

psychologists. Selection and training of psychology professionals to work in the field of

IT and mass media. Multilevel marketing. Impact of TV and fostering value through IT

and mass media. Psychological consequences of recent developments in Information

Technology.

11. Application of Psychology in the field of Defence : The concept of Military

psychology, Aviation psychology and Psychological warfare. Role of Military

psychologists in the defence. Selection, recruitment and training of personnel. Facilitating

the process of adjustment of personnel to military life-Role of Counselling. Devising

Psychological tests for defence personnel. Psychological disorders due to war. Human

engineering in Defence.

12. Psychology and Economic development : Achievement motivation and economic

development. Characteristics of entrepreneurial behavior. Motivating and Training people

for entrepreneurship and economic development. Women Entrepreneurs.

13. Application of psychology to environment and related fields : Environmental

psychology-effects of noise, pollution and crowding. Population psychology-

psychological consequences of population explosion and high population density.

Motivating for small family norms. Impact of rapid scientific and technological growth

on degradation of environment.

14. Other applications of psychology : Sports psychology-improving performance of

sports personnel, Psychology and understanding of political behaviour. Voting

behaviours. Psychology of corruption and strategies to deal with Psychology of terrorism.

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