The 2019 Examiner Report for Psychology highlighted that “on average, answers were attempted
very superficially and non-seriously.” Psychology is one of the least opted-for subjects in the
CSS optional subjects. It comes in the last linguistic group. Psychology is basically a social
science subject, with some overlap with medical science. It is one of the great subjects for
students from medical backgrounds, the social sciences, and of course, Psychology majors.
The subject overlaps with Essay, General Science, Gender Studies, Criminology, and European
History, as the subject gained considerable attention after the World Wars, and much of its
theoretical development is rooted in European and Western thought.
The Examiner Report further argues that students often produce irrelevant and absurd ideas,
along with numerous grammatical mistakes. Therefore, anyone who opts for Psychology has to
approach it as a social science subject, supporting arguments with theories and relevant ideas
rather than personal opinions.
Who Should Choose Psychology Optional?
Students who are generally interested in the subject and have an inclination towards conceptual
learning along with memorization can opt for Psychology. Many theories, concepts, and facts
require both understanding and retention.
The subject is particularly suitable for students with a background in Psychology, Education,
Medicine, Sociology, and other social sciences.
Who Should Not Choose Psychology as an Optional?
Individuals who do not like theories and theoretical perspectives may find Psychology difficult.
Similarly, someone who assumes that Psychology is simply a medical subject may struggle to
score well in it. The subject requires an understanding of psychological terminology and
theoretical perspectives, along with the ability to explain concepts clearly.
Answers should be supported with relevant diagrams, theories, studies, and a structured approach
rather than personal opinions or general statements.
Psychology Syllabus: What Does It Include?
The syllabus includes fourteen chapters, which may seem like a lot at first. However, most of the
chapters are relatively short and conceptual, except for two areas: Abnormal/Clinical Psychology
and Psychological Assessment.
Both of these areas are conceptual but somewhat lengthy compared to the others, as they include
psychological disorders, diagnosis, assessment, and treatment.
Conversely, other areas such as Learning and Memory, Motivation and Emotion, Personality,
Social Psychology, and others are more theory-based. Moreover, chapters such as Biological
Basis of Behavior and Developmental Psychology are relatively easier for those who have
studied Biology or have already covered relevant portions of General Science.
The best way to decide whether to opt for Psychology is to go through the syllabus carefully and
then determine whether it suits you or not.
How Does Psychology Overlap with Other Subjects?
As mentioned above, the subject overlaps with both compulsory and optional subjects.
Among the compulsory subjects, Psychology complements General Science and can also help in
Essay, as it introduces several theories and concepts that can strengthen arguments when used
appropriately.
On the other hand, it relates to optional subjects such as Gender Studies and Criminology. It
overlaps with Gender Studies through various theoretical perspectives, while its connection with
Criminology can be seen through areas such as Forensic Psychology, schools of thought, and
psychological disorders. These areas also overlap with several concepts and theories discussed in
Criminology.
Best Resources for CSS Psychology Optional
A) Primary Resources
The best primary resource for covering the syllabus is YouTube lectures for developing a basic
understanding of the topics, supplemented with additional reading. Ideally, keep two books: one
by an international author and another by a national author.
Following are some books and a YouTube playlist that can be used for covering the topics.
Books:
- The Psychology Book — DK Publishers
- An Approach to Psychology — Rakhshanda Shahnaz
YouTube:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzlQDutMQpIhQIzGtGpgOA4P4rmsgA0aC&si=wegI93n9A
u92KY0X
B) Secondary Resources
The books recommended by the FPSC can be referred to as secondary resources. The
recommended books do not cover all the chapters in one place, which is why FPSC recommends
different books for different areas.
Books such as Introduction to Psychology by Atkinson, Fernald, and Kalat can be used for
secondary reading. However, one good book with a clear understanding of the topics and
theories, supplemented with relevant research articles, is more than enough.
How to Study Psychology Efficiently
Here are some key points to remember while covering the subject:
1. Start with the syllabus and analyze it carefully.
2. Take out past papers and analyze how the examiner asks questions.
3. Take lectures or read the relevant material.
4. Make concise and clear notes.
5. Add additional information such as facts, theories, flowcharts, and examples.
6. Practice past-paper questions topic-wise.
Ultimately, if the demands of the question are met, you are likely to achieve a good score. The
only way to properly understand these demands is by examining the Examiner Report and past
papers.