Psychology 2023 Paper I 50 marks 150 words Compulsory Discuss

Q1

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: (a) How is descriptive type of research different from diagnostic research? Answer the question giving suitable example of each. (10 marks) (b) "Mental health study is the major trend in Psychological studies in the 21st century." — Discuss. (10 marks) (c) What do you mean by subliminal perception? Discuss its role in advertising with the help of suitable example. (10 marks) (d) Your relative is going through chemotherapy. How your knowledge about learning theories will be helpful? (10 marks) (e) Discuss the factors facilitating in problem-solving. (10 marks)

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

निम्नलिखित प्रत्येक प्रश्न का उत्तर लगभग 150 शब्दों में दीजिए : (a) वर्णनात्मक प्रकार के शोध से निदानात्मक शोध कैसे भिन्न है ? प्रत्येक का उपयुक्त उदाहरण देकर प्रश्न का उत्तर दें । (10 अंक) (b) "21 वीं सदी में मनोवैज्ञानिक अध्ययनों में मानसिक स्वास्थ्य अध्ययन प्रमुख प्रचलन (ट्रेंड) है ।" — चर्चा कीजिए । (10 अंक) (c) अवचेतन (सब्लिमिनल) प्रत्यक्षण से आपका क्या अभिप्राय है ? उपयुक्त उदाहरण की सहायता से विज्ञापन में इसकी भूमिका की चर्चा कीजिए । (10 अंक) (d) आपका रिश्तेदार रसोचिकित्सा (कीमोथेरेपी) से होकर गुजर रहा है । आपका अधिगम सिद्धांतों से संबंधित ज्ञान कैसे मददगार होगा ? (10 अंक) (e) समस्या समाधान में सहायक कारकों की 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

This multi-part question requires balanced treatment across five 10-mark sub-parts within 150 words each. For (a), begin with clear differentiation using tabular format; for (b), adopt a critical discussion stance examining both supporting and counter-evidence; for (c), define then apply to Indian advertising context; for (d), use case-based application of classical/operant conditioning; for (e), enumerate with brief elaboration. Allocate approximately 30 words per sub-part, prioritizing precision over elaboration.

Key points expected

  • (a) Descriptive vs diagnostic research: Distinguish purpose (what is vs why it is), methodology (survey/observation vs case study/testing), and outcome (frequency description vs causal explanation); exemplify with Census 2011 (descriptive) and NIMHANS diagnostic study on dementia (diagnostic)
  • (b) Mental health as 21st century trend: Discuss WHO Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2030, India's NMHP and Tele-MANAS, rising post-COVID anxiety/depression rates, neuroplasticity research, but also acknowledge persistent dominance of cognitive neuroscience and AI in psychological research
  • (c) Subliminal perception: Define as below-threshold stimulus processing without conscious awareness; explain mere exposure effect in advertising; exemplify with 1957 Vicary 'popcorn' controversy or modern Indian digital marketing subliminal embeds in IPL broadcasts
  • (d) Learning theories in chemotherapy: Apply classical conditioning (food aversion, nausea pairing), operant conditioning (positive reinforcement for medication adherence), and observational learning (modelling coping strategies); reference India's cancer care context
  • (e) Problem-solving facilitators: Cover expertise/mental sets, incubation, analogical reasoning, working memory capacity, emotional regulation, and cultural tools like Vygotsky's zone of proximal development

Evaluation rubric

DimensionWeightMax marksExcellentAveragePoor
Concept correctness20%10Precise definitions across all five parts: accurately distinguishes descriptive/diagnostic research purposes; correctly identifies subliminal perception as unconscious processing below absolute threshold; properly applies classical/operant conditioning mechanisms to chemotherapy context; accurately enumerates problem-solving factors without conflation with barriersGenerally correct definitions with minor inaccuracies—e.g., conflates diagnostic with experimental research, oversimplifies subliminal perception as 'hidden messages,' or confuses negative reinforcement with punishment in learning theory applicationFundamental conceptual errors: describes both research types identically, treats subliminal perception as conscious manipulation, applies learning theories inappropriately (e.g., systematic desensitization for chemotherapy), or lists problem-solving barriers instead of facilitators
Theory & studies cited20%10Cites specific researchers/theories: Kerlinger for research typology, WHO Mental Health reports, Zajonc's mere exposure effect, Pavlov/Skinner/Bandura for learning theories, and Gestalt/Maier/Newell-Simon for problem-solving; includes Indian research like NIMHANS studies or ICMR mental health surveysMentions general theoretical frameworks without specific attribution—e.g., 'behaviorist theory' without naming Skinner, or 'problem-solving models' without specifying; may include one dated or misattributed studyNo theoretical grounding or incorrect attributions; relies entirely on commonsense understanding without psychological framework; invents studies or misrepresents established findings (e.g., claiming subliminal advertising effectiveness is proven)
Application examples20%10Contextually appropriate Indian examples: Census/NSSO for descriptive research, Tele-MANAS for mental health trend, Amul/Indian FMCG subliminal campaigns, Tata Memorial Hospital context for chemotherapy, and ISRO problem-solving or Indian administrative reform examples; examples are specific and illustrativeGeneric or Western examples only (e.g., Vicary popcorn without Indian parallel), or examples that loosely fit without clear demonstration of concept; Indian context mentioned superficially without integrationNo concrete examples, or inappropriate/invented examples that misapply concepts; examples contradict the theoretical point being made; completely decontextualized from Indian or contemporary relevance
Multi-perspective analysis20%10For (b), presents balanced view acknowledging counter-trends (neuroscience, AI dominance); for (d), integrates multiple learning theories showing their complementary application; demonstrates awareness of methodological limitations in (a) and ethical concerns in (c); shows interdisciplinary awareness across biological, social, and cognitive perspectivesOne-sided treatment of (b) without counter-argument, or single-theory focus in (d) ignoring alternatives; acknowledges multiple perspectives superficially without integration or synthesisCompletely uni-dimensional—uncritical acceptance of mental health trend dominance, single learning theory application without considering alternatives, or no recognition of ethical/methodological limitations in research and advertising discussions
Conclusion & evaluation20%10Brief but incisive concluding synthesis: for (b), nuanced verdict on mental health trend status; for (d), integrated recommendation for patient care; overall demonstrates value of methodological diversity in psychology; ends with forward-looking insight on Indian psychological research prioritiesSummarizes main points without evaluative judgment; conclusion present but generic ('thus these are important'); no clear stance on debated issues like subliminal advertising effectivenessNo conclusion or abrupt ending; conclusion merely repeats introduction; contains evaluative statements unsupported by preceding content; ends with irrelevant digression

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