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PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS https://t.me/upscpsychology1 WWW.PSYCHESIMPLIFIED.COM PSYCHESIMPLIFIED INTRODUCTION 1. What is social constructivism? How does it challenge the mainstream psychology? Ans. Social constructivism is a theory in psychology that emphasizes the role of social interaction and culture in shaping our understanding of the world. Here's a breakdown of its core ideas and how it challenges mainstream psychology: Main Ideas of Social Constructivism: Knowledge is Built, Not Found: We don't passively absorb information about the world. Instead, we actively construct our understanding through social interactions, cultural norms, and language. Social Influence Matters: Our experiences with others significantly impact how we interpret and make sense of things. Discussions, arguments, and shared activities all play a role. Reality is Subjective: Social constructivists argue that there's no single, objective reality. Our perception of the world is filtered through our social and cultural lenses. Challenge to Mainstream Psychology: Mainstream psychology often leans towards a more individualistic perspective. Here's how social constructivism throws a wrench in the works: Nature vs. Nurture Debate: Social constructivists argue that this is a false dichotomy. Our development is a continuous interplay between our biology and social experiences. Universality of Concepts: Social constructivists question the idea of universal psychological concepts. They argue that concepts like intelligence or memory might be understood and experienced differently across cultures. Scientific Objectivity: Social constructivists suggest that even scientific research is influenced by the social and historical context in which it's conducted. In essence, social constructivism compels psychologists to consider the broader social and cultural framework when studying human thoughts, behaviours, and development. 2. Elucidate the contributions of Sir Francis Galton in shaping psychology Ans. Sir Francis Galton was a polymath who made significant contributions to the early foundation of psychology, particularly in these areas: Pioneering Differential Psychology: Galton is considered the father of differential psychology, a branch that focuses on individual differences in mental abilities. Before him, psychology primarily concentrated on common human traits. Statistical Techniques: Galton developed crucial statistical tools like correlation and regression towards the mean, which are fundamental for analysing psychological data today.
PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS https://t.me/upscpsychology1 WWW.PSYCHESIMPLIFIED.COM PSYCHESIMPLIFIED Nature vs. Nurture Debate: He popularized the phrase "nature versus nurture" through his exploration of heredity's influence on intelligence in his book "Hereditary Genius" (1869). While his methods for measuring intelligence were flawed, he opened the door for this crucial debate. Mental Testing: Galton's interest in individual differences led him to develop early methods for mental testing. He set up the world's first mental testing laboratory where people could pay to have their sensory abilities and reaction times measured as proxies for intelligence. This paved the way for future standardized intelligence tests. Behavioural Genetics: Galton's research on heredity's role in intelligence laid the groundwork for the field of behavioural genetics, which explores the interaction of genes and environment on psychological traits. It's important to note: Galton's ideas on eugenics, selective breeding to improve human qualities, are now considered racist and ethically problematic. His methods for measuring intelligence were not very accurate, but they sparked the development of more sophisticated methods. Overall, Sir Francis Galton's contributions were instrumental in shaping psychology's early development, particularly in the areas of individual differences, statistical analysis, and the nature vs. nurture debate. 3. How do we explain self-defeating behaviour of a person from the Humanistic perspective? Ans. The Humanistic perspective views self-defeating behaviour as a result of a disconnect between a person's self-concept (how they see themselves) and their potential for self-actualization (achieving their full potential). Here's a breakdown: Low Self-Esteem and Negative Self-Concept: Humanistic psychology emphasizes the importance of positive self-regard. People who engage in self-defeating behaviours often have low self-esteem and a negative self-concept. They might believe they are incapable of success or happiness. Fear of Failure: This negative self-concept can lead to a fear of failure. The individual might subconsciously sabotage their own efforts to avoid confirming their negative beliefs about themselves. Incongruence with Ideal Self: Humanistic thinkers like Carl Rogers proposed the concept of an "ideal self" – the person we strive to become. Self-defeating behaviours can arise when there's a significant gap between a person's current self-concept and their ideal self. They might feel lost or unsure how to bridge this gap, leading to self-sabotaging behaviours. Defence Mechanisms: Self-defeating behaviours can also act as defence mechanisms. For instance, someone might procrastinate on a project to avoid the potential disappointment of failure. How Humanistic Therapy Approaches Self-Defeating Behaviour: Humanistic therapy focuses on helping individuals develop a more positive self-concept and move closer to their ideal self. Here are some approaches: Unconditional Positive Regard: Therapists create a safe space where clients feel accepted and valued for who they are, fostering self-acceptance. Self-Exploration: Through therapy, individuals explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences to gain a better understanding of themselves and the root causes of their self-defeating behaviours. Developing Self-Efficacy: Therapy can help individuals build confidence in their abilities by setting achievable goals and celebrating successes.
PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS https://t.me/upscpsychology1 WWW.PSYCHESIMPLIFIED.COM PSYCHESIMPLIFIED Increasing Self-Awareness: By becoming more aware of how their thoughts and beliefs influence their behaviour, individuals can learn to make choices that align with their long-term goals and well-being. The core message from the Humanistic perspective is that self-defeating behaviours are not a reflection of a person's inherent worth. With support and self-acceptance, individuals can overcome these patterns and reach their full potential. 4. How have neuroscientists and evolutionary scientists contributed to modern psychology Ans. Neuroscientists and evolutionary scientists have revolutionized modern psychology by providing a deeper understanding of the biological and evolutionary underpinnings of our thoughts, behaviours, and emotions. Here's a closer look at their specific contributions: Neuroscience: Mapping Brain Functions: Brain imaging techniques like fMRI and PET scans allow neuroscientists to pinpoint which brain regions are activated during specific tasks or emotions. This knowledge helps psychologists understand the biological basis of mental processes such as learning, memory, decision-making, and mood regulation. Neurotransmitters and Mental Health: Research on neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine has shed light on their role in mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia. This knowledge informs the development of more targeted medications and treatment approaches. The Plastic Brain: Neuroscience has revealed the brain's remarkable plasticity, meaning it can change and adapt throughout life. This concept is crucial for understanding how therapy and experiences can alter our brain structure and function, promoting psychological well-being. Evolutionary Psychology:
PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS https://t.me/upscpsychology1 WWW.PSYCHESIMPLIFIED.COM PSYCHESIMPLIFIED Evolutionary Roots of Behaviour: Evolutionary psychology helps us understand how our thoughts and behaviours might be influenced by adaptations that helped our ancestors survive and reproduce. For example, fear and aggression might have been advantageous for facing threats in our evolutionary past. Explaining Social Behaviour: Evolutionary psychology sheds light on social behaviours like cooperation, altruism, and mate selection. These behaviours might have been selected for because they promoted survival and passed on genes to future generations. Understanding Universals and Differences: By studying behaviour across cultures and species, evolutionary psychology helps us identify both universal human experiences (e.g., basic emotions) and cultural variations in how these experiences are expressed. Combined Impact: The synergy between neuroscience and evolutionary psychology is particularly powerful. By understanding the brain mechanisms underlying behaviour and the evolutionary pressures that shaped them, psychologists can develop more comprehensive and effective approaches to promoting mental health and well-being. Here are some examples: Understanding Phobias: Neuroscience can explain the fight-or-flight response triggered by phobias, while evolutionary psychology can explain why certain stimuli (like heights or spiders) might have elicited fear in our ancestors. Improving Treatment Efficacy: By understanding the brain circuits involved in addiction, neuroscientists can inform the development of therapies that target those specific circuits. Overall, the contributions of neuroscience and evolutionary science have significantly enriched psychology, offering a deeper understanding of the human mind and its complexities. This knowledge continues to pave the way for the development of more effective interventions and a more holistic approach to mental health. 5. Examine the concerns for control, measurement and artifacts, and also indicate the threats they pose to the development of scientific psychology. (A/4b /2011/30) Ans. Scientific psychology strives for objectivity and generalizability of findings, but there are inherent challenges that can threaten its progress. Let's delve into three key areas of concern: control, measurement, and artefacts. Control: Difficulty isolating variables: Unlike physics labs, human behaviour is influenced by a multitude of factors. Experiments often struggle to control for every possible variable that might affect the outcome, leading to confounding variables that can be mistaken for the true cause-and-effect relationship under study.