CSS Psychology Paper Syllabus
PAPER: PSYCHOLOGY (100 MARKS)
Revised Scheme and Syllabus for CSS Competitive Examination-2016
I. Nature and Scope of Psychology: Definition and scope, Psychology as a Science,
Schools, Perspectives, and Models of Psychology, Recent Trends
II. Biological Basis of Behaviour: Nervous System, Neuron and its function, Central
and Peripheral Nervous System, Endocrine System
III. Sensation and Perception: Sensory process through sense organs, Perception,
Gestalt Principles, Binocular and Monocular cues, Illusions and Extra Sensory
Perception, Determinants of Perception
IV. Learning and Memory: Nature and Forms of Learning, Types of learning: Classical
and Operant Conditioning, Reinforcement, Extinction, Discrimination, Punishment,
Observational Learning, Theories of Learning, Types of Memory, Process of
Memory, Forgetting, Theories of Memory
V. Motivation and Emotion: Homeostasis, Factors affecting Motivation, Biogenic and
Social Motives, Measurement of Human Motivation, Theories of Motivation,
Emotions, 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 and Clinical Assessment, Ethical Standards and Legal Issues
VII. Personality: Determinants of Personality, Factors in Development of Personality,
Theoretical Perspectives, Traits and Types, Personality Assessment and
Techniques, Cross-Cultural Issues.
VIII. Intelligence: Theories of Intelligence, Types of intelligence (IQ, EQ), Assessing Intelligence
IX. Social Influence and Group Dynamics: Social Facilitation, Attribution, Conformity,
Obedience, Altruism, Attitudes, Social Norms.
X. Developmental Psychology: Physical, Cognitive, Social and Emotional
development in Childhood, Adolescence, Adulthood and Old Age
XI. Abnormal and Clinical Psychology: Concept and causes of Abnormality, Clinical
Assessment and Intervention, Different disorders such as Schizophrenia, Mood
disorder, Anxiety disorder, Personality disorder, etc. Psychological treatment
including different Therapeutic techniques.
XII. Organizational/Industrial Psychology: Leadership styles, Decision making, Work
motivation, Organizational Culture, Stress and Conflict at Work and its Management,
Organizational Socialization, Job related Attitude, Sexual Harassment, Glass Ceiling,
Human Computer interaction.
XIII. Health Psychology: Beliefs and Behaviour, Models of Health Psychology,
Assessment and Intervention, Models of Stress, Chronic and Terminal Illness, Role of Social Support.
XIV. Forensic Psychology: Psychology and Law, Investigation, Confession, Eyewitness
Testimony, Working with Offenders, Juvenile Delinquents, Drug Addicts, Sex
Offenders etc.
Revised Scheme and Syllabus for CSS Competitive Examination-2016
I. Nature and Scope of Psychology: Definition and scope, Psychology as a Science,
Schools, Perspectives, and Models of Psychology, Recent Trends
II. Biological Basis of Behaviour: Nervous System, Neuron and its function, Central
and Peripheral Nervous System, Endocrine System
III. Sensation and Perception: Sensory process through sense organs, Perception,
Gestalt Principles, Binocular and Monocular cues, Illusions and Extra Sensory
Perception, Determinants of Perception
IV. Learning and Memory: Nature and Forms of Learning, Types of learning: Classical
and Operant Conditioning, Reinforcement, Extinction, Discrimination, Punishment,
Observational Learning, Theories of Learning, Types of Memory, Process of
Memory, Forgetting, Theories of Memory
V. Motivation and Emotion: Homeostasis, Factors affecting Motivation, Biogenic and
Social Motives, Measurement of Human Motivation, Theories of Motivation,
Emotions, 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 and Clinical Assessment, Ethical Standards and Legal Issues
VII. Personality: Determinants of Personality, Factors in Development of Personality,
Theoretical Perspectives, Traits and Types, Personality Assessment and
Techniques, Cross-Cultural Issues.
VIII. Intelligence: Theories of Intelligence, Types of intelligence (IQ, EQ), Assessing Intelligence
IX. Social Influence and Group Dynamics: Social Facilitation, Attribution, Conformity,
Obedience, Altruism, Attitudes, Social Norms.
X. Developmental Psychology: Physical, Cognitive, Social and Emotional
development in Childhood, Adolescence, Adulthood and Old Age
XI. Abnormal and Clinical Psychology: Concept and causes of Abnormality, Clinical
Assessment and Intervention, Different disorders such as Schizophrenia, Mood
disorder, Anxiety disorder, Personality disorder, etc. Psychological treatment
including different Therapeutic techniques.
XII. Organizational/Industrial Psychology: Leadership styles, Decision making, Work
motivation, Organizational Culture, Stress and Conflict at Work and its Management,
Organizational Socialization, Job related Attitude, Sexual Harassment, Glass Ceiling,
Human Computer interaction.
XIII. Health Psychology: Beliefs and Behaviour, Models of Health Psychology,
Assessment and Intervention, Models of Stress, Chronic and Terminal Illness, Role of Social Support.
XIV. Forensic Psychology: Psychology and Law, Investigation, Confession, Eyewitness
Testimony, Working with Offenders, Juvenile Delinquents, Drug Addicts, Sex
Offenders etc.