UGC NET Psychology Syllabus 2023: PDF Download

The paper under the UGC NET psychology syllabus will be split into Paper-I and Paper-II with Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). The UGC NET Psychology is one of the most important subject inclusion since the time being. Candidates have the liberty to choose any type of subjects (honours/expertise) for the posts of Lectureship/Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) for the UGC NET 2023 examination. 

Table of Contents

• Chapter-wise UGC NET 2023 Psychology Syllabus
  • Emergence of Psychology
  • Research Methodology and Statistics
  • Psychological Testing
  • Biological Basis of Behaviour
  • Attention, Perception, Learning, Memory, and Forgetting
  • Thinking, Intelligence and Creativity
  • Personality, Motivation, Emotion, Stress, and Coping
  • Social Psychology
  • Human Development and Interventions
  • Emerging Areas
• UGC NET 2023 Psychology Exam Pattern
• Best Books for UGC NET 2023 Psychology Syllabus

Chapter-wise UGC NET 2023 Psychology Syllabus

The following Unit - (I-X) represents the chapter and section-wise topics under points for UGC NET Exam, particularly for the psychology enthusiasts. It is one of an exhaustive syllabus under NET, which needs thorough understanding.

Unit-I - Emergence of Psychology

The study on the occurrence of human behaviour and their mental processes based on the emergence of psychology in India, to addressing social issues, disciplinary identity crisis. This unit covers learning about the emergence of psychology during the western, greek, medieval, and modern periods and different aspects of knowledge paradigms, its primacy of self-knowledge in Indian psychology.

Emergence of Psychology Syllabus

Topic	Sub-Topic
Psychological thought in some major eastern systems	Bhagavad gita, Buddhism, Sufism and Integral yoga
Academic Psychology in India	Pre-independence era; post-independence era; 1970s: The move to addressing social issues; 1980s: Indigenization; 1990s: Paradigmatic concerns, disciplinary identity crisis; 2000s: Emergence of Indian psychology in academia. Issues: The colonial encounter; Postcolonialism and psychology; Lack of distinct disciplinary identity
Western	Greek heritage, the medieval period and the modern period. Structuralism, functionalism, psychoanalytical, gestalt, behaviorism, humanistic existential, transpersonal, cognitive revolution, multiculturalism. Four founding paths of academic psychology - Wundt, Freud, James, Dilthey
Issues	Crisis in psychology due to strict adherence to experimental analytical paradigm (logical empiricism). Indic influences on modern psychology
Essential Aspects of Knowledge Paradigms	Ontology, epistemology, and methodology. Paradigms of western psychology: positivism, post-positivism, critical perspective, social constructionism, existential phenomenology, and co-operative Enquiry. Paradigmatic controversies. Science and spirituality (avidya and vidya). The primacy of self-knowledge in Indian psychology

Unit-II - Research Methodology and Statistics

The research methodology and statistics system of methods used for investigating the concepts on psychological aspects which includes variables, sampling, observation, theory, focus groups, in-depth case studies, correlative type of analysis, regression and factor analysis, interpretation, and experimental designs.

Research Methodology and Statistics Syllabus

Topic	Sub-Topic
Research	Meaning of research, purpose, and dimensions. Research problems, variables and operational definitions, hypothesis, sampling. Ethics in conducting and reporting research
Paradigms of Research	Quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods approach
Methods of Research	Observation, survey [interview, questionnaires], experimental, quasi-experimental, field studies, cross-cultural studies, phenomenology, grounded theory, focus groups, narratives, case studies, ethnography
Statistics in Psychology	Measures of central tendency and dispersion. Normal probability curve. Parametric [t-test] and non-parametric tests [Sign Test, Wilcoxon Signed Rank test, Mann-Whitney test, Kruskal-Wallis test, Friedman]. Power analysis. Effect size
Correlational Analysis	Correlation [product moment, rank order], partial correlation, multiple correlations
Special correlation methods	Biserial, point biserial, tetrachoric, phi coefficient
Regression	Simple linear regression, multiple regression
Factor Analysis	Assumptions, methods, rotation and interpretation
Experimental Designs	ANOVA [One-way, factorial], randomized block designs, repeated measures design, latin square, cohort studies, timeseries, MANOVA, ANCOVA. Single-subject designs

Unit-III - Psychological Testing

Learning on the conduction of physiological tests, a person's skills, intellect level, expressiveness, interests, attitude is administered via psychological testing by the experts or trainers with proper regulated guidelines. The below mentioned list will give you a brief idea:

Psychological Testing Syllabus

Topics	Sub-topics
Types of Tests	Test construction: Item writing, item analysis
Test Standardization	Reliability, validity and norms
Areas of Testing	Intelligence, creativity, neuropsychological tests, aptitude, personality assessment, interest inventories
Attitude Scales	Semantic differential, staples, likert scale. Computer-based psychological testing
Applications of Psychological Testing in Various Settings	Clinical, organizational and business, education, counseling, military, career guidance

Unit-IV - Biological Basis of Behaviour

Studies with regard to the way in which a certain individual presents themselves when in a society, group or in a private manner is dealt in this unit.

Biological Basis of Behaviour Syllabus

Topics	Sub-topics
Sensory Systems	General and specific sensations, receptors and processes
Neurons	Structure, functions, types, neural impulse, synaptic transmission, neurotransmitters
The Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems	Structure and functions, neuroplasticity
Methods of Physiological Psychology	Invasive methods – Anatomical methods, degeneration techniques, lesion techniques, chemical methods, microelectrode studies. Non-invasive methods – EEG, scanning methods
Muscular and Glandular system	Types and functions
The Biological Basis of Motivation	Hunger, thirst, sleep and sex
The Biological Basis of Emotion	The limbic system, hormonal regulation of behaviour
Genetics and behaviour	Chromosomal anomalies; nature-nurture controversy [Twin studies and adoption studies]

Unit-V - Attention, Perception, Learning, Memory, and Forgetting

This section gives more attention on the psychological forms, models, perception, focus on the details, and its approaches, theories, fundamentals, the practice to which minds store and remember, long term of storing memories, and memory power.

Attention, Perception, Learning, Memory, and Forgetting Syllabus

Topics	Sub-topics
Attention	Forms of attention, models of attention
Perception	Approaches to the study of perception; gestalt and physiological approaches, perceptual organization: gestalt, figure and ground, law of organization perceptual constancy: size, shape, and color; illusions perception of form, depth and movement role of motivation and learning in perception
Signal Detection Theory	Assumptions and applications of subliminal perception and related factors, information processing approach to perception, culture and perception, perceptual styles, pattern recognition, ecological perspective on perception
Learning Process and Fundamental Theories	Thorndike, Guthrie, Hull Classical Conditioning: procedure, phenomena and related issues instrumental learning: phenomena, paradigms and theoretical issues; reinforcement: basic variables and schedules; behaviour modification and its applications of cognitive approaches in learning: latent learning, observational learning. Verbal learning and discrimination learning recent trends in learning: Neurophysiology of learning
Memory and Forgetting Memory Processes	Encoding, storage, retrieval stages of memory: sensory memory, short-term memory (Working memory), long-term memory (Declarative – Episodic and Semantic; Procedural) theories of forgetting: Interference, retrieval failure, decay, motivated forgetting

Unit-VI - Thinking, Intelligence and Creativity

This unit deals with the ideology behind the topics is to focus on the ability to think, intellectual level and utilization of imagination power, the production level and capability of figuring strategies, decision making, awareness and consciousness of an individual thought process.

Thinking, Intelligence and Creativity Syllabus

Topics	Sub-topics
Theoretical Perspectives on Thought Processes	Associationism, gestalt, information processing, feature integration model concept formation: Rules, Types, and Strategies; Role of concepts in thinking types of reasoning language and thought
Problem-Solving	Type, strategies, and obstacles
Decision-Making	Types and models
Metacognition	Metacognitive knowledge and metacognitive regulation
Intelligence	Spearman; Thurstone; Jensen; Cattell; Gardner; Stenberg; Goleman; Das, Kar & Parrila
Creativity	Torrance, Getzels & Jackson, Guilford, Wallach & Kogan Relationship between intelligence and creativity

Unit-VII - Personality, Motivation, Emotion, Stress, and Coping

The study on the combination of characteristics or qualities that build up a human being's characters or its behaviour through the account of motivating thoughts and action, emotion, stress and coping with situations in various modes towards the reaction is what this unit deals with.

Personality, Motivation, Emotion, Stress, and Coping Syllabus

Topics	Sub-topics
Determinants of Personality	Biological and socio-cultural approaches to the study of personality: Psychoanalytical, neo-freudian, social learning, trait and type, cognitive, humanistic, existential, transpersonal psychology. Other theories: Rotter's Locus of Control, Seligman's Explanatory styles, Kohlberg’s theory of moral development
Basic Motivational Concepts	Instincts, needs, drives, arousal, incentives, motivational cycle. Approaches to the study of motivation: Psychoanalytical, ethological, S-R cognitive, humanistic
Exploratory Behaviour and Curiosity Zuckerman's Sensation seeking Achievement, affiliation and power motivational competence self-regulation flow
Emotions	Physiological Correlates Theories of Emotions: James-Lange, Canon-Bard, Schachter and Singer, Lazarus, Lindsley emotion regulation
Conflicts	Sources and types stress and coping: Concept, models, type A, B, C, D behaviours, stress management strategies [biofeedback, music therapy, breathing exercises, progressive muscular relaxation, guided imagery, mindfulness, meditation, yogasana, stress inoculation training]

Unit-VIII - Social Psychology

This unit is about study on the scope, history, nature, theoretical perspectives, influences by a group and social, including applied psychology.

Social Psychology Syllabus

Topics	Sub-topics
Social Psychology	Nature, scope and history of social psychology
Traditional Theoretical Perspectives	Field theory, cognitive dissonance, sociobiology, psychodynamic approaches, social cognition
Social Perception	Communication, Attributions, attitude and its change within a cultural context, prosocial behaviour
Group and Social influence	Social Facilitation; Social loafing, Social influence [Conformity, Peer Pressure, Persuasion, Compliance, Obedience, Social Power, Reactance]. Aggression, Group dynamics, leadership style and effectiveness. Theories of intergroup relations [Minimal Group Experiment and Social Identity Theory, Relative Deprivation Theory, Realistic Conflict Theory, Balance Theories, Equity Theory, Social Exchange Theory]
Applied Social Psychology	Health, environment and law; personal space, crowding, and territoriality

Unit-IX - Human Development and Interventions

This unit encompasses of topics related to the learning on the development and intervention of human towards its developmental processes, factors, and stages associated with development, especially psychopathology, psychotherapies, counselling, application of theories of motivation and learning in academic factors, and vice versa.

Human Development and Interventions Syllabus

Topics	Sub-topics
Developmental Processes	Nature, principles, factors in development, stages of development. Successful ageing. Theories of development: Psychoanalytical, behavioristic, and cognitive various aspects of development: Sensory-motor, cognitive, language, emotional, social and moral
Psychopathology	Concept, mental status examination, classification, causes
Psychotherapies	Psychoanalysis, person-centered, Gestalt, existential, acceptance commitment therapy, behavior therapy, REBT, CBT, MBCT, play therapy, positive psychotherapy, transactional analysis, dialectic behaviour therapy, art therapy, performing art therapy, family therapy
Applications of theories of motivation and learning in school factors in educational achievement teacher effectiveness guidance in schools: needs, organizational setup and techniques.
Counselling	Process, skills, and techniques

Unit-X - Emerging Areas

Deals with the studies on sexuality issues, poverty, migration, disability. Well being of a person, its health, technological interface. The type of study that seeks to implement theories, practices that could drag avoiding violence or conflict and mitigate the effects against society.

Emerging Areas Syllabus

Topics	Sub-topics
Issues of Gender, Poverty, Disability, and Migration: Cultural bias and discrimination. Stigma, marginalization, and social suffering; Child abuse and domestic violence.
Peace Psychology	Violence, non-violence, conflict resolution at the macro level, the role of media in conflict resolution
Wellbeing and self-growth	Types of wellbeing [Hedonic and Eudemonic], character strengths, resilience and post-traumatic growth
Health	Health-promoting and health-compromising behaviours, lifestyle and chronic diseases [Diabetes, Hypertension, Coronary Heart Disease], psychoneuroimmunology [Cancer, HIV/AIDS]
Psychology and Technology Interface	Digital learning; Digital etiquette: cyberbullying; Cyber pornography: Consumption, implications; Parental mediation of digital usage

Click Here: UGC NET Psychology Syllabus PDF

UGC NET 2023 Psychology Exam Pattern

The questions will be of MCQs type in an online mode of exam conduction (Computer Based Test). Let us first understand the exam pattern for the UGC NET psychology syllabus.

Candidates appearing should check out for the revised syllabus:

• Paper-I: Evaluate the candidate’s  skills and eligibility for teaching and research ability
• Paper-II: Questions will be based on the chosen subjects opted by the candidate

UGC NET Psychology 2023 Exam Pattern

Highlights	UGC NET Paper-I	UGC NET Paper-II
Test mode	Online
Duration of test	3 hours (180 minutes)
Paper type	Common	Subject Specific/Preference-based questions
Questions type	Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)s
No of Questions	50	100
Mark in Total	100	200
Marking Scheme	No negative Marking, 2 marks per correct response
Language medium	English & Hindi

Note: There will be a continuation of the test with no break/short recess from Paper-I to Paper-II unless emergencies/technical glitches.

Best Books for UGC NET 2023 Psychology Syllabus

Everyone wants to save time! Time is an important factor for the exam, and choosing books is one of the time-consuming activities in the midst of exam preparation when it comes to high competition and less duration.

Don’t worry! We have got you covered. Below are the lists of profound books to refer to under the UGC NET Geography syllabus as implemented by the NTA.

Also, choose books from the list given below for more meaningful information and backups. Some of them are:

• NTA UGC NET/JRF/SET Psychology (Paper 2)- Arihant Experts
• NTA UGC NET/SET (JRF/LS) Psychology Teaching and Research Aptitude General (Paper 1))- Arihant Publishers
• NTA UGC NET/SLET Psychology General (Paper 1)- Trueman’s
• NTA UGC NET/JRF Solved Papers Geography (Paper 2)- Pratiyogita Sahitya
• Introduction to Psychology: Tata McGraw Hill, Morgan, C.T., King, Weiss, J.R.
• CBSE NET Solved (Paper  & 3) Psychology- Bookhive’s
• UGC NET/SET Psychology- Dr Swati Maharshi (R Gupta’s)
• UGC NET/SET/JRF Psychology (Paper 2 & 3)- Upkar Prakashan
• Developmental Psychology - Stanrock, J.W. (2008) 11 Edition.
• UGC NET/SET/JRF Psychology - Dr Kalika Jha
• Social Psychology- Baron R.A and Byrne (1997,2001); 8th and 9th edition
• Cognitive Psychology- Sternberg R.J (2007)

Read More: UGC NET reference books