Psychology 2021 Paper II 50 marks 150 words Compulsory Explain

Q5

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: (a) Explain the factors affecting the work motivation within work organization in India. (10 marks) (b) What are the consequences of being a member of disadvantaged group? (10 marks) (c) Discuss the methods used by a psychoanalyst to bring unconscious motives into conscious. (10 marks) (d) Elaborate upon the strategies for inducing pro-environmental behaviour. (10 marks) (e) What do you understand by mood disorders? Discuss the causes. (10 marks)

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

निम्नलिखित प्रत्येक प्रश्न का उत्तर लगभग 150 शब्दों में दीजिए : (a) भारत में कार्य संगठन के अंदर कार्य अभिप्रेरणा को प्रभावित करने वाले कारकों की व्याख्या कीजिए। (10 अंक) (b) वंचित समूह का एक सदस्य होने के क्या परिणाम होते हैं? (10 अंक) (c) मनोविश्लेषक द्वारा अचेतन अभिप्रेरकों को चेतन में लाने के लिए उपयोग की जाने वाली विधियों पर चर्चा कीजिए। (10 अंक) (d) पर्यावरण-अनुकूल व्यवहार को उत्प्रेरित करने की रणनीतियों पर विस्तार से चर्चा कीजिए। (10 अंक) (e) मनोदशा विकारों से आप क्या समझते हैं? कारणों की चर्चा कीजिए। (10 अंक)

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Directive word: Explain

This question asks you to explain. 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

This multi-part question requires explaining five distinct psychological concepts in approximately 150 words each. Allocate roughly 20% time/words per sub-part (equal marks). For (a), explain directive demands analysis of organizational factors; for (b), consequences need systematic enumeration; for (c), discuss requires elaboration of psychoanalytic techniques; for (d), elaborate demands detailed strategies; for (e), define mood disorders then explain causes. Structure each part with a precise definition/thesis followed by 2-3 well-developed points and a brief synthesizing conclusion.

Key points expected

  • (a) Work motivation in India: Individual factors (need hierarchy, locus of control), organizational factors (leadership style, reward systems), cultural-contextual factors (collectivism, power distance, caste-gender dynamics in Indian workplaces)
  • (b) Disadvantaged group consequences: Psychological (low self-efficacy, learned helplessness, stereotype threat), social (stigma, discrimination, marginalization), economic (restricted opportunities, poverty trap), health (stress, anxiety disorders)
  • (c) Psychoanalytic methods: Free association, dream analysis (manifest/latent content), analysis of resistance, analysis of transference, interpretation of parapraxes/slips, therapeutic alliance establishment
  • (d) Pro-environmental strategies: Informational strategies (feedback, education), structural strategies (incentives, disincentives, convenience), community-based social marketing, commitment techniques, modeling and social norms
  • (e) Mood disorders: Definition (DSM-5 criteria for depressive/bipolar disorders), biological causes (neurotransmitter imbalance, HPA axis dysregulation, genetic factors), psychological causes (cognitive distortions, learned helplessness, attachment), socio-cultural causes (life events, social support deficits)

Evaluation rubric

DimensionWeightMax marksExcellentAveragePoor
Concept correctness20%10Precise, technically accurate definitions across all five parts: for (a) distinguishes intrinsic/extrinsic motivation; for (b) correctly identifies stereotype threat and learned helplessness; for (c) accurately describes free association and dream analysis mechanics; for (d) correctly categorizes antecedent vs. consequence strategies; for (e) accurately distinguishes MDD, persistent depressive disorder, and bipolar spectrumGenerally correct definitions with minor inaccuracies—e.g., conflating psychoanalysis with general psychotherapy, vague description of mood disorder subtypes, or oversimplified motivation factors without Indian specificityFundamental conceptual errors—e.g., confusing mood disorders with anxiety disorders, describing psychoanalysis as behavioral therapy, or listing generic motivation factors without organizational psychology grounding
Theory & studies cited20%10Appropriate theoretical grounding throughout: for (a) cites Herzberg's two-factor theory or Indian studies (Ganguli, Sinha); for (b) references Steele & Aronson's stereotype threat or Dweck's mindset research; for (c) names Freud's dream work (condensation, displacement) or Anna Freud's defense mechanisms; for (d) cites Stern's value-belief-norm theory or Schultz's ABC model; for (e) references Beck's cognitive theory of depression or Caspi et al.'s gene-environment interaction studiesSome theoretical references present but incomplete—e.g., mentions Freud without specific techniques, names generic theories without researchers, or cites only one theory per part when multiple applyMinimal or absent theoretical foundation—e.g., no named psychologists, confused attribution of theories, or purely descriptive answers without any scholarly framework
Application examples20%10Contextually appropriate Indian illustrations: for (a) cites IT sector motivation studies or public sector disincentives; for (b) references caste-based reservation effects or gender disparity in STEM; for (c) provides clinical vignette of resistance interpretation; for (d) gives Swachh Bharat or LED bulb UJALA scheme as structural strategy; for (e) mentions Indian prevalence data (NMHS) or farmer suicide contextSome examples provided but generic or Western-centric—e.g., using only American corporate examples for motivation, or no specific Indian mental health statistics for mood disordersNo concrete examples, or factually incorrect applications—e.g., misidentifying Indian policies, anachronistic references, or examples that contradict the theoretical framework presented
Multi-perspective analysis20%10Demonstrates integrative thinking across levels: for (a) individual-organizational-cultural interface; for (b) intersectionality of multiple disadvantaged identities; for (c) balances classical Freudian with contemporary relational psychoanalysis critiques; for (d) combines behavioral, cognitive, and social identity approaches; for (e) presents biopsychosocial model integration with critique of reductionismAcknowledges multiple factors but treats them additively rather than interactively—e.g., lists biological and psychological causes separately without explaining their interplay in mood disordersSingle-factor or unidimensional analysis—e.g., purely biological explanation of mood disorders, or purely individual-blame explanation of disadvantaged group outcomes without structural recognition
Conclusion & evaluation20%10Each sub-part ends with succinct synthesis: for (a) evaluates emerging gig economy challenges; for (b) notes resilience/post-traumatic growth possibilities; for (c) acknowledges evidence limitations for psychoanalytic efficacy; for (d) critiques top-down vs. bottom-up strategy effectiveness; for (e) integrates prevention implications. Overall demonstrates balanced, critical stance without mere summarySimple summarizing conclusions without critical evaluation—e.g., restating points made, or generic positive closing statements without specific forward-looking or evaluative elementAbsent or abrupt conclusions, or conclusions that contradict the body; for (e) particularly, may confuse mood disorders with treatment recommendations rather than maintaining analytical focus on causes

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