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CSS written syllabus
CSS Psychology Syllabus
Psychology is a 100-mark Group VII optional subject in the CSS written exam, examined in one three-hour paper. Below is FPSC's official syllabus, word for word: every section, topics and suggested readings.
- Marks
- 100
- Papers
- 1
- Time
- 3 hours a paper
- Group
- Group VII
- Subject code
- 46
The paper
100 marks- I.Nature and Scope of Psychology: Definition and scope, Psychology as a Science, Schools, Perspectives, and Models of Psychology, Recent Trends
- II.Biological Basis of Behaviour: Nervous System, Neuron and its function, Central and Peripheral Nervous System, Endocrine System
- III.Sensation and Perception: Sensory process, Perception, Gestalt Principles, Binocular and Monocular cues, Illusions and Extra Sensory Perception, Determinants of Perception
- IV.Learning and Memory:
- Nature and Forms of Learning
- Types of learning: Classical and Operant Conditioning
- Reinforcement
- Extinction
- Discrimination
- Punishment
- Observational Learning
- Theories of Learning
- Types of Memory
- Process of Memory
- Forgetting
- Theories of Memory
- V.Motivation and Emotion:
- Homeostasis
- Factors affecting Motivation
- Biogenic and Social Motives
- Measurement of Human Motivation
- Theories of Motivation
- Emotions
- Types of Emotions
- Physiological changes in Emotion
- Theories of Emotions
- VI.Psychological Assessment:
- Attributes of Psychological Measures
- Validity
- Reliability
- Item Analysis
- Norms
- Modern Test Theory
- Selection and Training
- Educational and Clinical Assessment
- Ethical and Legal Issues in Assessment
- VII.Personality: Determinants of Personality, Factors in Development of Personality, Theoretical Perspectives, Personality Assessment and Techniques, Cross-Cultural Issues.
- VIII.Intelligence: Theories of Intelligence, Types of intelligence (IQ, EQ), Assessing Intelligence
- IX.Social Influence and Group Dynamics: Social Facilitation, Attribution, Conformity, Obedience, Altruism, Attitudes, Social Norms.
- X.Developmental Psychology: Physical, Cognitive, Social and Emotional development in Childhood, Adolescence, Adulthood and Old Age
- XI.Abnormal and Clinical Psychology:
- Concept and causes of Abnormality
- Clinical Assessment and Intervention
- Different disorders such as Schizophrenia
- Mood disorder
- Anxiety disorder
- Personality disorder, etc. Psychological treatment including different Therapeutic instructions
- XII.Organizational/Industrial Psychology:
- Leadership styles
- Decision making
- Work motivation
- Organizational Culture
- Stress and Conflict at Work and its Management
- Organizational Socialization
- Job related Attitude
- Sexual Harassment
- Glass Ceiling
- Human Computer interaction
- XIII.Health Psychology: Beliefs and Behaviour, Models of Health Psychology, Assessment and Intervention, Models of Stress, Chronic and Terminal Illness, Role of Social Support.
- XIV.Forensic Psychology: Psychology and Law, Investigation, Confession, Eyewitness Testimony, Working with Offenders, Juvenile Delinquents, Drug Addicts, Sex Offenders etc.
Suggested readings
- 1.Applied Industrial/Organizational PsychologyAamodt, M.
- 2.Introduction to PsychologyAtkinson R. C., & Smith, E. E
- 3.Social PsychologyBaron, R. A
- 4.Introduction to Forensic PsychologyBartol, C. R
- 5.Foundation of Physiological PsychologyCarlson, N. R.
- 6.Introduction to Psychology: Gateways to Mind and BehaviorCoon, D., &Mitterer, J.
- 7.Development Across the Life SpanFeldman, R.
- 8.Introduction to PsychologyFernald, L. D., & Fernald, P.S
- 9.Introduction to PsychologyAtkinson & Hilgard’s, Fredrickson, B
- 10.Forensic PsychologyFulero, S. M., &Wrightsman
- 11.Foundation of PsychologyHayes, N
- 12.Introduction to PsychologyKalat, J. W
- 13.Abnormal PsychologyKring, A. M
- 14.PsychologyMyers, D. G.
- 15.Psychology: Concepts and ConnectionsRathus, S.
- 16.Life Span DevelopmentSantrock,J. W.
- 17.Organizational PsychologySingh, P.
Past papers
FPSC's Psychology papers from 2016 to 2026, as text. Open a year, or see them all.