Best Psychology Books for UPSC

Studying Psychology as an Optional for your UPSC preparation can be beneficial, especially for specific papers like the optional subject or essay paper. Here are some recommended psychology books for UPSC preparation:

• “Psychology” by Robert A. Baron and Nyla R. Branscombe – This comprehensive textbook covers the fundamentals of psychology and is a good starting point for your studies.
• “Psychology” by Saundra K. Ciccarelli and J. Noland White – This is another well-regarded introductory psychology textbook that provides a solid foundation in the subject.
• “Psychology: Themes and Variations” by Wayne Weiten – It’s a popular psychology textbook that covers various themes and topics in psychology.
• “Introduction to Psychology” by Morgan and King – This book offers a thorough introduction to psychology and is a helpful resource for UPSC preparation.
• “Foundations of Psychology” by Nicky Hayes – This book provides an overview of key concepts and theories in psychology.
• “Psychology – The Science of Mind and Behaviour” by Richard Gross – It’s a well-structured book that covers various aspects of psychology.
• “Psychology: A Very Short Introduction” by Gillian Butler and Freda McManus – If you’re looking for a concise introduction to psychology, this book can be a good starting point.
• “Psychology: An Introduction” by Benjamin Lahey – This book offers a comprehensive overview of the field of psychology.
• “Social Psychology” by Elliot Aronson, Timothy D. Wilson, and Robin M. Akert – This is a great resource for the social psychology aspect of the UPSC syllabus.
• “Abnormal Psychology” by James N. Butcher, Susan M. Mineka, and Jill M. Hooley – For the section on abnormal psychology, this book is a valuable resource.

Psychology Optional Preparation for UPSC Mains

Psychology is a fascinating subject that deals with the scientific study of the human mind and behaviour. It is one of the Optional Subjects offered by the UPSC for the Civil Services Mains examination. If you are interested in taking psychology as your optional subject, here are some tips that might help you:

• First, you should go through the UPSC psychology syllabus for both paper 1 and paper 2. The syllabus covers a wide range of topics from the foundations of psychology to its applications in various domains.
• Second, you should choose some good books and study materials for psychology optional. Some of the recommended books are Introduction to Psychology by Morgan and King, Psychology by Robert A Baron, Social Psychology by Baron and Byrne, Abnormal Psychology by Carson and Butcher, etc.
• Third, you should practice writing answers for psychology optional. You should focus on developing conceptual clarity, analytical skills, and an application-oriented approach. You should also use examples from real life, current affairs, and Indian context to illustrate your points. You should also practice previous year question papers and mock tests to evaluate your performance and improve your speed and accuracy.
• Fourth, you should revise your psychology optional regularly. You should make notes of important concepts, definitions, theories, research findings, and applications. You should also revise the diagrams, charts, tables, and graphs that are relevant for psychology optional. You should also keep yourself updated with the latest developments and trends in psychology.