CSS Syllabus – Psychology

Psychology – 100 Marks

I. Nature and Scope of Psychology

• Definition and scope of psychology
• Psychology as a science
• Schools of psychology
• Perspectives and models of psychology
• Recent trends in psychology

II. Biological Basis of Behaviour

• Nervous system
• Neuron and its functions
• Central nervous system
• Peripheral nervous system
• Endocrine system

III. Sensation and Perception

• Sensory processes through sense organs
• Perception
• Gestalt principles
• Binocular cues
• Monocular cues
• Illusions
• Extra-sensory perception (ESP)
• Determinants of perception

IV. Learning and Memory

Learning

• Nature and forms of learning
• Types of learning:
  • Classical conditioning
  • Operant conditioning
  • Observational learning
• Reinforcement
• Extinction
• Discrimination
• Punishment
• Theories of learning

Memory

• Types of memory
• Processes of memory
• Forgetting
• Theories of memory

V. Motivation and Emotion

Motivation

• Homeostasis
• Factors affecting motivation
• Biogenic motives
• Social motives
• Measurement of human motivation
• Theories of motivation

Emotion

• Concept of emotion
• Types of emotions
• Physiological changes and emotion
• Theories of emotion

VI. Psychological Assessment

• Attributes of psychological measures
• Validity
• Reliability
• Item analysis
• Norms
• Modern test theory
• Selection and training
• Educational assessment
• Clinical assessment
• Ethical standards
• Legal issues

VII. Personality

• Determinants of personality
• Factors in the development of personality
• Theoretical perspectives of personality
• Traits and types
• Personality assessment and techniques
• Cross-cultural issues in personality

VIII. Intelligence

• Theories of intelligence
• Types of intelligence:
  • Intelligence Quotient (IQ)
  • Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
• Assessment of intelligence

IX. Social Influence and Group Dynamics

• Social facilitation
• Attribution
• Conformity
• Obedience
• Altruism
• Attitudes
• Social norms

X. Developmental Psychology

• Physical development
• Cognitive development
• Social development
• Emotional development

Stages of Development

• Childhood
• Adolescence
• Adulthood
• Old age

XI. Abnormal and Clinical Psychology

• Concept of abnormality
• Causes of abnormality
• Clinical assessment
• Clinical intervention
• Psychological disorders, including:
  • Schizophrenia
  • Mood disorders
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Personality disorders
  • Other major psychological disorders
• Psychological treatment
• Different therapeutic techniques

XII. Organizational / Industrial Psychology

• Leadership styles
• Decision-making
• Work motivation
• Organizational culture
• Stress at work
• Conflict at work and its management
• Organizational socialization
• Job-related attitudes
• Sexual harassment
• Glass ceiling
• Human-computer interaction

XIII. Health Psychology

• Health beliefs and behaviour
• Models of health psychology
• Assessment and intervention
• Models of stress
• Chronic illness
• Terminal illness
• Role of social support

XIV. Forensic Psychology

• Psychology and law
• Psychological aspects of investigation
• Confession
• Eyewitness testimony
• Working with offenders
• Juvenile delinquents
• Drug addicts
• Sex offenders
• Other applications of forensic psychology

Suggested Readings