Psychology 2021 Paper II 50 marks 150 words Compulsory Discuss

Q1

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: (a) Discuss the psychological tests used for the selection of defence personnel. (10 marks) (b) What are the steps to be taken to promote gender-friendly environment at workplace? (10 marks) (c) Describe the different methods for making a psychological test reliable. (10 marks) (d) What roles do the social agencies play in the rehabilitation of HIV/AIDS patients? (10 marks) (e) Discuss the role of community psychology for handling community mental health problems. (10 marks)

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

निम्नलिखित प्रत्येक प्रश्न का उत्तर लगभग 150 शब्दों में दीजिए : (a) रक्षा कर्मियों के चयन के लिए उपयोग किए जाने वाले मनोवैज्ञानिक परीक्षणों पर चर्चा कीजिए। (10 अंक) (b) कार्यस्थल पर लिंग-अनुकूल वातावरण को बढ़ावा देने के लिए क्या कदम उठाए जा सकते हैं? (10 अंक) (c) एक मनोवैज्ञानिक परीक्षण को विश्वसनीय बनाने की विभिन्न विधियों का वर्णन कीजिए। (10 अंक) (d) एच०आई०वी०/एड्स रोगियों के पुनर्वास में सामाजिक एजेंसियाँ क्या भूमिका निभाती हैं? (10 अंक) (e) सामुदायिक मानसिक स्वास्थ्य समस्याओं से निपटने के लिए सामुदायिक मनोविज्ञान की भूमिका पर चर्चा कीजिए। (10 अंक)

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Directive word: Discuss

This question asks you to discuss. The directive word signals the depth of analysis expected, the structure of your answer, and the weight of evidence you must bring.

See our UPSC directive words guide for a full breakdown of how to respond to each command word.

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

The directive 'discuss' requires balanced coverage of all five sub-parts with critical elaboration rather than mere listing. Allocate approximately 30 words per sub-part (150 words total), spending roughly equal time on each since all carry equal marks. Structure each sub-part as: definition/context → key components → application/example → brief evaluative note. For (a) focus on SSB testing methods; (b) emphasize POSH Act and organizational interventions; (c) cover psychometric methods like test-retest; (d) highlight NACO and NGO roles; (e) connect to DMHP and community-based interventions.

Key points expected

  • (a) Defence selection: SSB interview, WAT, TAT, SRT, GTO tasks, psychological assessment battery including 16PF/OPI; Officer Selection Board (OSB) procedures
  • (b) Gender-friendly workplace: POSH Act 2013 compliance, ICC formation, gender sensitization training, flexible policies, equal opportunity frameworks, breaking glass ceiling
  • (c) Reliability methods: test-retest, parallel forms, split-half, inter-rater reliability; Cronbach's alpha; standard error of measurement; Kuder-Richardson formula
  • (d) HIV/AIDS rehabilitation: NACO, State AIDS Control Societies, NGO networks (India HIV/AIDS Alliance), ART adherence counselling, stigma reduction, livelihood support
  • (e) Community mental health: District Mental Health Programme (DMHP), gatekeeper training, primary health care integration, NIMHANS model, prevention over cure approach

Evaluation rubric

DimensionWeightMax marksExcellentAveragePoor
Concept correctness20%10Accurately defines all technical terms across sub-parts: for (a) distinguishes between screening and selection tests; for (c) correctly differentiates reliability types with appropriate formulas mentioned; for (e) accurately describes community psychology's ecological perspectiveDefines most concepts correctly but confuses similar terms (e.g., reliability vs. validity in part c) or provides generic definitions without sub-part specificityMajor conceptual errors such as describing validity methods for reliability in (c), or conflating community psychology with clinical psychology in (e)
Theory & studies cited20%10Cites specific frameworks: for (a) mentions Drenth & Sijtsma on military selection; for (c) references Spearman-Brown prophecy formula or Cronbach's work; for (e) cites Rappaport's empowerment theory or Sarason's community psychology principlesMentions general theorists without specific study citations, or cites only one sub-part adequately while others lack theoretical groundingNo theoretical citations or completely inappropriate references (e.g., Freud for psychometric reliability)
Application examples20%10Provides India-specific applications: for (a) cites Services Selection Board (SSB) centres like Bhopal/Varanasi; for (b) mentions Vishaka Guidelines evolution to POSH; for (d) names specific NGOs like Naz Foundation or government programmes like ART centresProvides generic examples without Indian context, or detailed examples for some sub-parts while others remain abstractNo concrete examples or factually incorrect applications (e.g., foreign military selection systems for Indian defence)
Multi-perspective analysis20%10Shows critical balance across all parts: for (a) notes limitations of projective tests; for (b) addresses both employer and employee perspectives; for (c) discusses trade-offs between reliability types; for (e) contrasts biomedical vs. psychosocial modelsProvides one-sided treatment for most sub-parts, or critical analysis for only 2-3 sub-parts while others are descriptivePurely descriptive with no critical engagement, or presents perspectives without synthesis or evaluation
Conclusion & evaluation20%10Each sub-part ends with evaluative closure: for (a) assesses predictive validity of SSB; for (c) emphasizes reliability as necessary but not sufficient condition; for (e) synthesizes toward India's Mental Health Care Act 2017 implementation; overall integration shows psychology's applied valueSome sub-parts have weak or missing conclusions, or conclusions merely summarize without evaluationNo conclusions for any sub-part, or abrupt endings; failure to connect across sub-parts to demonstrate psychology's unified applied framework

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