Psychology Books for UPSC Optional 2024

PWOnlyIAS April 30, 2024 03:49 994 0

Discover the best Psychology books for UPSC optional and tips for effective studying in Paper I and II, ensuring success in the UPSC mains exam.

A well-rounded strategy for UPSC always begins with the selection of the right books. In UPSC optional, this approach can give you high dividends. If you are planning on taking Psychology Optional, this is your ultimate guide to knowing about Psychology Books for UPSC Optional.

In this article, we will cover the best Psychology books for UPSC optional, including tips on how to study effectively for success in Paper I and II.

Psychology Books for UPSC

Psychology is the study of the human mind and its processes, especially how they affect behavior in different situations. It’s considered a social science, a natural science, and a subject in the field of life sciences.

UPSC offers psychology as one of the 48 optional subjects for the UPSC CSE Mains Examination. As part of the Psychology Optional Syllabus, candidates are expected to study theoretical and applied aspects of psychology. The subject is particularly appealing to practicing psychologists.

Psychology, as a stream, has multiple dimensions. This makes the study of the subject challenging. In some cases, candidates will be required to read multiple books on the same topic in order to develop an understanding of the subject.

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Psychology Books for UPSC: Complete Book List

Selecting the correct books for psychology will help candidates score good marks in the subject. The books should cover the subject in a holistic manner and also give them enough knowledge to apply in real life. The complete Psychology books for UPSC optional is given below:

Psychology Books for Paper I

The books for Paper 1 will mainly focus on introduction to psychology and some basic concepts associated with psychology. These books will cater to the demand of Paper 1 of Psychology..

Book Name	Author/Publisher
Textbook of Psychology	Robert Baron
Introduction to Psychology	Morgan & King
Research book	A K Singh
Systems & Theories of Psychology	Krawiec & Chaplin
Textbook of Psychology	Morgan and King
Social Psychology textbook	Baron and Byrne
NCERTs 11th and 12th	NCERT
Psychology	Ciccarelli

Psychology Books for Paper II

Paper 2 of Psychology optional mainly focuses on applications of Psychology. The books will cover how psychology is used to solve problems faced by society.

Book Name	Author/Publisher
Textbook of Applied Psychology	Smarak Swain
NCERTs 11th and 12th	NCERT
Statistics for Psychology	Aron, Aron, Coups
The Psychology of Small Groups	Shaw
Tests, Measurements, and Research Methods in Behavioral Sciences	A K Singh
Theories of Personality	Hall & Lindzey

How to Read Psychology Books for UPSC Optional?

The next important step in preparation for UPSC is reading the books in the right way. This approach helps in developing the knowledge base for future study. Psychology books for UPSC also need the right approach for a better chance of scoring:

Study the Syllabus: Candidates must first study the syllabus to check if the books cover the complete syllabus provided by the UPSC. Begin only after you are assured that the complete syllabus has been covered by the books.
Analyse Previous Year Questions: Analyse the questions from Previous Year Question papers before you start studying. Understanding the demand of the question will help you study in the right manner.
Mark Important Topics: After analyzing PYQs, you will get an idea about the important themes for the exam. Based on this idea, mark important topics in the syllabus and prepare them well.
Make Short Notes: After reading a particular topic, make short notes simultaneously. These notes will help you during your revision phase.
Practice Diagrams: Practice diagrams and flow-charts to write better answers. This will definitely help you score more marks in the exam.
Understand Concepts: Instead of rote learning, emphasize understanding concepts. Understanding concepts will help you retain memory for a longer period of time than just rote learning.

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Psychology, which is optional for UPSC, is not very popular compared to subjects such as Sociology or Political Science. This subject is usually chosen by candidates with a psychology background. This is one reason why there are not many resources available for this subject, and candidates have to rely mainly on standard books.

Psychology books for UPSC optional cover the syllabus in a comprehensive way such that candidates with basic knowledge can develop a good understanding of the subject. The right books will give you the knowledge you need to excel in the exam.

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Psychology Books for UPSC FAQs

Psychology books for UPSC are easily available in bookstores across the country. You can also buy them from e-commerce websites.

Candidates must read the topics mentioned in the syllabus at least 2-3 times. In the latter part, they must revise these topics 4-5 times before the exam using short notes.

It is advisable to complete the psychology syllabus within 2-3 months. After completing the syllabus, the candidate has to revise the subject multiple times before the exam.

Scoring good marks is dependent on three aspects: understanding the concepts, revising the concepts, and addressing the demand of the question. The first two aspects have to be fulfilled during the preparation phase itself.

A beginner must start with the introductory books so that they have a basic idea for further reading. It is advisable to give importance to the basics while preparing.

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Psychology Books for UPSC Optional 2024

Psychology Books for UPSC