PSYCHOLOGY
Although Psychology is the most interesting thing that happened to me in CSE preparation, it is one of the most difficult part to write the strategy for it. I say this because I took coaching from Mukul Pathak Sir and for most of the part of Paper 1 & some of Paper 2 I was dependent on his notes. So first of all I will write pros and cons of this optional in my opinion; then I will share my journey of UPSC with this optional; then I will write what someone who is similarly placed as me may do and what who doesn’t take coaching can approach. For those belonging to last category should take my advice with a pinch of salt, as I was dependent on the classroom notes and my point of view would only be on my limited understanding.
Pros & Cons of Psychology
Pros-
Interesting subject
Practical utility
Some utility in Essay and Ethics paper
Cons-
Unpopular optional. Would be difficult to collaborate with other student.
Lengthy syllabus
Lack of integrated reading material.
Observed to be low scoring.
My journey with Psychology
I got interested in the subject before I started my preparation. I used to watch the Crash Course Psychology videos on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8dPuuaLjXtOPRKzVLY0jJY-uHOH9KVU6&app=desktop). So when I decided to start preparing for Civil Services the choice was relatively simple. I briefly asked a college friend who had done well with this optional from where to start and kept in touch during initial stages. I began my preparation in May 2015. I started reading Psychology NCERTs to check if my interest in subject was actually there. After completely reading the NCERTs, by July 2015 I started reading Robert Baron. I completed reading around 75% of the book by October, 2015 and by then I was sure that I would go ahead with Psychology as my optional subject.
Since, I never studied Psychology institutionally I decided to take coaching for the same. I joined Pathak Sir’s classroom course which started in December, 2015. I used to revise whatever was taught in the class everyday till May, 2016 since the prelims was scheduled August 2016. The classes went on till mid-June, 2016.
I could not clear prelims that year. I decided to complete Psychology by December, 2016 by my making my short notes. I also joined the test series by Pathak Sir. By January, 2017 I had my own notes ready of each of the 28 topics of both the papers. And also I had got 5 test evaluated by Pathak Sir. During this time I used to read coaching notes, printed notes (not completely; only some topics), Robert Baron, Morgan & King and the internet.
I didn’t study Psychology till the prelims got over in June, 2017. But after a short break after prelims I started again as I was confident of clearing the exam, I joined the test series by Pathak Sir. The notes I prepared the previous year came out to be very handy. I missed the final cut off that year by 15 marks. And I scored 283 (145 Paper 1 & 138 Paper 2).
In the 2018 attempt, I was not sure about prelims (but cleared it by more than 3 marks) so I hadn’t joined the test series by Pathak Sir. Later my friend told me about the online test series conducted by Mr. Ankit Pathak (https://www.enserioeducation.in/). From writing the test series I realized that there were some gaps in my answer. I used to get constant feedback of not writing sufficient examples and illustration. In the exam, I wasn’t able to apply this suggestion. I also read Psychology by Saundra k. Ciccarelli in this attempt. I really liked the book. But at the end I scored even lesser than my previous attempt. I scored 276 (131 Paper 1 & 145 Paper 2) inspite of working harder.
After this attempt I was clueless of why I wasn’t able to score good marks in spite of working hard and having fairly good knowledge of the subject. In the 2018 attempt my friend Anuraj had scored 333, which was quite high in comparison. I talked to him and had a look at his answers. He was kind enough to help me. I realized that his writing was very simple almost everything in his own words and full of illustration & examples. He also joined the test series by Mr. Ankit Pathak the previous year and tried to include the feedback he got in his answer. Although I realized that I would not be able to replicate his writing style completely, I tried to incorporate all the good things done by him. I did not join any test series this time and only wrote a few answers to try to incorporate the learning from Anuraj.
While revising the subject, I tried to take out all big and small examples from NCERT, Ciccarelli and write down in my short notes. Some of which I used in the exam.
I would discuss a few questions from CSE – 2019 to show how I approached this time the questions.
Paper 1 – Q 3(a) – Differentiate between experimental & quasi-experimental designs. Evaluate the applications of quasi-experimental in designs in psychological research. [20 Marks]
Answer Structure –
Since this was a 20 marker I knew I had to fill 4 pages.
First, I wrote the definition of both experimental & quasi-experimental designs and gave examples of researches of Pavlov and Adams & Adams respectively.
Then, I did divide the answer script into two columns and differentiated by writing 8 points and at the end giving examples.
Then I wrote why quasi experimental design is needed in Psychological research.
And then wrote what are its limitation briefly.
Paper 1 – Q 5(b) – “Discrimination & Generalization are two complementary processes in skill learning”. Discuss with reference to operant conditioning. [10 Marks]
Answer Structure –
Definition of operant Conditioning with example. (half page)
Explaining Discrimination & Generalization with example. (half page)
How both can help in skill Learning. Importance of both. I quoted an example of my own from cricket. Generalization – When bowler bowls batsman has to hit. But his shot selection would be hook/pull in case the ball is short and drive in case the ball is overpitched.
Paper 1 – Q 5(c) – “Stereotypes can lead to the development of prejudice & discrimination.” Explain citing examples from Indian context. [10 Marks]
Answer Structure –
Explain what is stereotype and how can it lead to prejudice & discrimination with reference to Allport’s scale of Prejudice.
Citing several examples of stereotypes – Religious, caste, regional, urban-rural, rich-poor.
Paper 2 – Q 5(e) – How can group cohesion method be a strong psychological intervention in enhancing team performance?
Answer – In this I wrote everything which every candidate with adequate preparation. I topped with comparing the example of Argentina National football team who inspite of having player like Angel Di Maria and Leonel Messi could not even win Copa America whereas German Football team with stronger group cohesion could.
From the above answers, I want to emphasise that I think UPSC wants relevant and different answer and not the run of the mill answers which everyone would answer. To summarize my point I would like to state that the goal is to get 0.5-1 marks extra in all questions from other.
Strategy for preparation for those who have taken coaching:
Paper 1 –
Make coaching notes as basic material and supplement it with printed material that is being provided in the coaching. Also complement it with Robert Barron, Morgan & King & Saundra k. Ciccarelli. The goal is to cover all portion of syllabus and one is able to answer all the previous year’s questions. I would recommend to make short notes of each chapter. This would help to consolidate all source at one place and would be very handy in this format of exam where 5 days are there between optional and GS paper. Diagrams (many are there in Ciccarelli which I have compiled so I will share in the future), flowcharts and figures can be thought of in advance. Also, refer to NCERT to find simple examples and how the text is written in simple style. One can even watch the crash course videos mentioned above.
There might be concern about statistic portion on the mind, I would recommend to just read basics (from notes) as straight forward questions are generally asked. One can prepare examples for each of the topics in advance.
Paper 2 –
Class notes, printed material & Smarak Swain should be the fulcrum. And can topped up with internet. There are many figures and flowchart in Smarak Swain, one can learn those and also improvise.
Strategy for preparation for those who has not taken coaching:
It would be very difficult to recommend anything as I was dependent on the class lectures, notes and material. But nonetheless, based on my experience with the subject I would try to recommend something. Please take my advice with a pinch of salt.
Also one can refer to Mithali Raj Madam blog (https://www.insightsonindia.com/2017/07/07/psychology-strategy-civil-services-strategy-booklist-resources-notes-mittali-sethi-air-56-302-marks/), AIR 56, CSE 2016.
One can start by reading NCERTs and parallelly watching Crash Course videos mentioned above.
Paper – 1
For first three topics, one can refer to Pathak Sir’s notes whose PDFs are available on Telegram Channels or hard copy in Rajinder Nagar Market. One may refer to AK Singh but don’t go in detail. Just refers to what is mentioned in the syllabus.
For the rest other topics, one may refer to Pathak Sir’s notes along with standard books available. Or else one may just keep syllabus as guiding light and refer to the standard book and covering the syllabus topic by topic. Important thing would be to make one’s own notes as you go along. It would be handy as the different sources would be consolidated.
One advantage, I believe, is there for those who do prepare on their own would be there content would be authentic and answers would be different from those who write straight from the notes.
Paper – 2
There is one book for paper 2 which every student with Psychology optional uses. One can top this up with books, internet and Pathak Sir’s notes. Important thing here is to understand the concepts and relate it to our daily life and bringing out one’s own examples.
One should make short notes for this also as it would be handy for revision.
Answer Writing:
I have showed through couple of examples how I attempted the answers in the exam. Few things I would like the aspirants to keep in mind:
The answers should be in simple language and should be in one’s own words.
Divide your answers according to demand of the questions and the division should appear distinct.
Answer should contain what is asked. Example - If the question asks the significance of Piaget’s theory, only brief intro of his theory is required. More focus should be there on the significance.
The standard definition may be learned and name of the psychologist along with an example should be mentioned.
Provide simple self-explained examples wherever possible. In paper 2 (and even paper 1) try to provide examples from current affairs.
If possible, name some relevant research along with the name of the psychologist.
If it is possible link one answer with a different concept. Example if possible a question of intelligence can be linked with memory.
Use concepts learned in Paper 1 in Paper 2 answers and vice versa.
Try to make diagrams, flowchart etc. wherever possible.
Preferably write in points.
Write conclusion wherever possible.
One can start practicing writing answer soon one completes reading a topic. And they can get it self-evaluated, peer evaluated or by the teacher.
Test Series:
Test series is for objective evaluation of one’s level of performance. One can join any test series available in the market (though there are few options) which can provide value addition because there is always scope for improvement.
One need not join any test series also, if one can objectively evaluate one’s performance by themselves or with a little help from friend.
A small group of maximum 3 people can be formed. But everyone should have similar level of preparation. So that each one can help each other.
PS: I will scan and upload whatever notes I have prepared and are relevant ASAP.
PS: I forgot to mention above that i used to watch video from the channel Vidya Mitra (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCUr096WDp86n62CXBeHlQw) maintained by Ministry of Education. I watched these videos during Mains Preparation. Very good quality content. I mostly watched Personality, Mental Disorder, Therapeutic Approach and Statistical Measure topic.
PS: Psychology related Q&A can be found here – https://ravijainupsc.wordpress.com/2020/09/01/psychology-questions-and-answers/
PS: Psychology related notes and answer scripts
https://ravijainupsc.wordpress.com/2020/09/23/psychology-notes-answer-script/