Stratergy for preparing Psychology

Students need to have an integrated approach alongwith having an overview of the whole syllabus when they prepare for both the papers of Psychology. Questions in paper I can be based on information from paper II and vice versa. For example a question in attitude will have link with communication and prejudice (paper II) and vice versa.

Important portions in Paper I Section A

Introduction: Psychology as a Science: Definitions and perspective. Psychology in relation to other social and natural sciences. Use of interdisciplinary approach

Methods of Psychology: Characteristics and components of methods in psychology (induction, deduction and introspection). Observation, survey, laboratory and field experiments. Clinical and case study.

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. Life span development-the critical periods and their handling, Mastery of the developmental tasks.

Learning: Concepts and theories of learning (Pavlov, Skimer and Piaget). The processes of extinction, discrimination and generalisation. Programmed learning, probability learning, self-instructional learning, concepts, types and the schedules of reinforcement.

Memory: Concepts and definition of memory and forgetting, 7+/-2 concept and clumking encoding, storage and retrieval. Factors influencing retention and foregetting. Theories of forgetting (Repression, Decay and I n te r fe re n ce theories). The concept of reminiscence

Section B

Thinking and Problem Solving : Concept formation processes. Reasoning and problem solving. Creative thinking and fostering creativity. Information processing. Decision making and judgement

Intelligence and Aptitude: Concept and definition of Intelligence and aptitude, Nature and theories of intelligence. Measurement of Intelligence and aptitude.

Attitudes, Values and Interests: Definitions, concepts of attitudes, values and interests. Components of attitudes, values and interests. Formation and maintenance of attitudes. Measurement of attitudes, values and interests.

Paper II Section A

Psychological Measurement of Individual Difference: The nature of individual differe n ce s. Characteristics and construction of standardised psychological tests. Types of psychological tests.

Therapeutic Approaches: Psychodynamic therapies. Behaviour therapies. Clientcentered therapy. Cognitive therapies. Indigenous therapies (Yoga, Reiki, Meditation) Biofeedback therapy.

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.

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

Section B

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.

Psychological 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.

Other applications of psychology: Sports psychology - improving performance of sports, personnel, psychology and understanding of political behaviour.Voting behaviours.

Writing

• Don't exceed limit in shortanswer questions
• Try to make the introduction catchy while answering short and long questions. Students should use real-life examples to make the answers lively
• Highlight the important points Short sentences should be order of the day. Conclusion should consist gist of entire discussion
• Make a framework of the answer like what would you write in the lead paragraph, body text and the conclusion before you proceed with writing the answer
• Time management is key and candidates should ensure that they have atleast 25 minutes on hand before they attempt the last question