IAS Mains Psychology 2001
Paper I
Section A

Answer any three of the following in not more than 200 words each:

Describe the basic assumptions of regression analysis and explain what happens when these assumptions are violated.

Describe the decision rules employed by an individual for maximizing his gains. Also explain the uses of ROC curves.

Explain why is the humanistic perspective called the third force in psychology.

Discuss the role of vicarious reinforcement in social learning and modelling.

Describe the process of emergence of self-concept during late childhood. Citing suitable illustrations from Indian social milieu explain the impact of child rearing practices on the emergence of selfconcept.

Discuss the characteristic features of perception and bring out the significance of redundancy and feature detectors in it.

Present a critical appraisal of stage versus process models of memory and citing suitable studies show how elaborative processing and self-generation improve memory.

Section B

Answer any three of the following in not more than 200 words each:

Explain the concept of problem space and describe the methods in solving multi-step problems.

Erikson's theory of psycho-social development parallels Piaget's theory of cognitive development. Elaborate.

Is it correct to state that the theoretical conceptualization of achievement motivation is not adequate enough to describe the economic development of India?

Contemporary research has done much to inform us about the dark kingdom of sleepwakefulness.

Comment

Describe the three-level hierarchical model of cognitive ability as followed in the fourth revision of the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale. Is it necessary to administer all subtests of the fourth revision of Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale on any one subject? Discuss.

Elaborate the statement that James's theory of emotion, followed by its criticism by Cannon, stimulated a great deal of empirical research while Lange's theory of emotion influenced the activation theories of emotion.

Citing experimental evidences discuss how social learning, social comparison and genetic factors influence formation of attitudes. Also explain how trivialisation reduces cognitive dissonance.