KERALAPSC-SYLLABUS SCIENTIFIC ASSISTANT (POLYGRAPH)
KERALA POLICE SERVICE
(FORENSIC SCIENCE LABORATORY)
(Category No.012/2019)
Attention Consciousness and attention: Preconscious processing; Controlled and
Automatic processes Functions of attention: Signal detection, Vigilance, Selective
attention, Divided attention, Sustained attention and Alternating attention Models of
attention: Selection models of attention (Early filtertheory, Attenuated filtertheory, Late
filter theory, Multimode theory); Capacity model (Attention resources theory, Multiple
resource model). Physiological basis of attention
Perception Nature of perception: Perceptual organization and constancies; Depth
perception; Viewer, Person and Landmark centered approaches to form perception
Bottom up approach: Direct perception; Template and Prototype theory; Feature theory
Top down approach and Computational theory Physiological basis of perception
Memory and Forgetting Models of memory: Atkinson-Shiffin model, Levels of
processing model, Nature of memory model, Working Memory model, PDP or
connectionist model Why we forget: Consolidation theory, Interference theory, Decay
theory, Cue dependent forgetting, Displacement theory, Repression, Amnesia. Testing
memory: Components of memory tests; WMS and PGI memory test Physiological basis of
memory
Intelligence and Creativity Traditional theories: Two factor theory (Spearman and
Cattell); Multifactor theory; Hierarchical model; Primary mental abilities or Group factor
theory; Structure of intellect model Contemporary theories: Triarchic theory; Multiple
intelligence theory; Emotional intelligence theory; PASS model Nature of creativity;
Divergent and Convergent thinking; Little c and Big C; Stages of creative thinking; Types
of Creative contributions
Thinking Problem solving: Types of problem; Approaches to problem solving; Types of
heuristics, Reproductive and productive problem solving; Obstacles to problem solving
Decision making: Classical or rational man theory; Subjective expected utility theory;
Bounded rationality; Elimination by aspects; Biases and heuristics Reasoning: Deductive
reasoning (Conditional – Types or Propositional calculus and Errors), Syllogistic – Linear,
Conditional and Errors); Inductive reasoning
Motivationand EmotionBiological aspects of motivation Instinct theory and Ethology;
Homeostasis and arousal theory; Biological needs and drive reduction . Psychological
aspects of motivation Locus of control and motivation; John Hollands theory of
motivation; Psychoanalytic theory and unconscious motivation; Activation theory,
Theories of Erikson, Murray, and Maslow, Motivation in behaviouristic theory ,Intrinsic
and extrinsic motivation; Level of aspiration; Social needs; Knowledge of result; Prestige
suggestion; Humanistic model; Frustration aggression model . Types of emotion, Theories
of emotion (James-Lange theory, Cannon-Bard theory, Schachter-Singer theory, Cognitive
mediational theory, Facial feedback theory); Stress and coping.The concept of cortical
arousal and ARAS; Biological basis of motivation and emotion
Learning Learning by association: Classical conditioning , Operant conditioning;
Connectionism, Cognitive theories of learning: Latent learning; Insight learning;
Expectancy theory Verbal learning Neurological basis of learning and memory.
Psychometry and Research MethodologyPsychological Measurement Qualitative Vs.
quantitative approach in the study of behavior Scales of measurement : Nominal,
Ordinal, Interval, and Ratio Scales Classification of Psychological tests : Individual and
group tests, Speed and Power tests, Verbal and Non-verbal tests, Paper and pencil tests
and Performance tests, Culture free and culture fair Psychometric assessment by
Intelligence tests: The Stanford-Binet Tests, The Wechsler Scales , Aptitude tests: Tests of
special abilities, Differential aptitude tests , Achievement test : General achievement
batteries, Special achievement test , Tests of Creativity : Guilford, Torrance , Personality
test : Interviews, observation, Situational tests, Self-reports, inventories, questionnaires,
rating scales, forced choice methods, check-lists, Q-sorts, Semantic differential,
sociometry, content analysis, projective techniques , Test Construction Test
conceptualization : Item preparation, Item analysis, Estimation of reliability, validity, and
norms, Preparation of test manual Reliability: Concept, reliability estimate,types: test-retest, parallel forms, split –half, other methods of estimating internal consistency,interscorer reliability, purpose of reliability co-efficient Validity : Concept, types: face, content,
criterion, construct, convergent, divergent, relationship between validity to reliability
Norms : Meaning of norm-referencing and criterion referencing Steps in developing norms
Types: age-equivalent norms, grade equivalent norms, percentile norms, standard score
norms
Quantitative research methods Nature of quantitative data The concept of variance :
Partitioning of variance, controlling error variance through research designs Different
kinds of quantitative research methods : Experimental research methods Characteristic
features of experimental research methods Between group designs : Two group
designs,ANOVA designs, Factorial designs Within group designs, Quasi-Experimental
research methods , Time series, equivalent time-samples, onequivalent control group
designs, counterbalanced design, separate-sample pretest-posttest design, patched –up,
design, longitudinal design,cross-sectional design, cohort design. Ex-post-facto research :
Correlational design, criterion-group design - Non-experimental designs : Observational
research,Archival research,Case study research Small N designs : Advantages and
disadvantages of small N designs, Different kinds of small N designs
Qualitative Research Methods Nature of qualitative data Different kinds of qualitative
research : Action research,Case study research,Ethnography,Grounded theory,
Phenomenology. Historical research Techniques to collect qualitative data :
Interview,Narrative and metaphor,Observation,Focus group discussion Techniques to
analyze qualitative data : Hermeneutics, Semiotics.
Sampling and Data Processing Different sampling techniques - Probability sampling
methods,Non-probability sampling methods Data processing - Tabulation and coding,
Statistical analysis of the data, Estimating differences among the groups : t-tests, Anova,
Manova, Discriminant analysis, nonparametric methods. Estimating relationships among
variables : Pearson r, Rank correlation, Multiple correlations, Factor Analyses.
PersonalityDescribing Personality Philosophical perspectives, personality research:True
experiments,Quasi experi ments, Correlational studies, Case and epidemiological
studies,Personality assessment: objective methods, projective methods, behavioural
assessment methods Perspectives of personality Biological and evolutionary
perspective : Social Darwinism and Eugenics.The genetic dimension of evolution,
Contributions of Darwin , Lamarck, Mendel, Evolutionary Psychology : Natural selection of
psychological mechanisms, Genes and behavior, Eysenck’s Model of nervous system
temperament Psychodynamic perspective : Classical Psychoanalysis: Sigmund Freud,
Neoanalytic theories:Carl Jung,Alfred Adler,Karen Horney,Eric Fromm,HarryStack
Sullivan,Erik Erikson, Henry Murray’s Personology, Object relations and attachment
theories: Margaret Mahler, Bowlby, Melanie Klein,Heinz Kohut, Winnicott, OttoKernberg.
Behavioural Perspective:Dollard & Miller,B.F.Skinner Trait Perspective : G.W. Allport,R.
B.Cattell Cognitive and social cognitive perspective: Lewin’s Field theory,
Kelley’sPersonal ConstructTheory,Rotter’s locus of control approach ,Bandura’s
SocialCognitive learning theory Humanistic Existential Perspective: Carl Rogers Rollo
May, VictorFrankl, Abraham Maslow Eastern Perspective:Yoga, The Bhagavad Gita, Sufism,
Buddhism Jainism, Taoism
Social perception Social self : Sources of self-knowledge, Aspects of self-knowledge:
self-schemas, self-discrepancies, Self-regulation, The selfconcept, Self-esteem, Selfpresentation Perceiving persons : Impression formation and impression management ,
Attribution: attribution theories, attribution biases, culture and attribution, motivational
biases, Information integration Confirmation biases: Perseverance of beliefs,
confirmatory hypothesis testing, the selffulfilling prophecy Stereotypes, prejudice, and
discrimination : Nature and origin-social categories and intergroup conflict, social identity
theory, culture and social identity, culture and socialization, how stereotypes
distortsperceptions and resist change, automatic stereotype activation, prejudice : origin,
sources, targets and consequences, Reducing stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination,
intergroup contact, intergroup friendships and extended contact
Attitudes: Measurement,formation, attitudes and behavior, persuasion by
communication, persuasion by our own actions, role playing, cognitive dissonance theory,
changing attitudes Conformity :Classical studies, compliance, obedience: Milgram’s
research, social impact theory Groups: fundamentals of groups, individuals in groups,
social facilitation, social loafing, group performance, brain storming, group polarization,
group think, escalation effects Conflict:Mixed motives and social dilemmas, conflict
escalation and reduction, negotiation.
Social relations Need to belong, the initial attraction, close relationships, interdependent
relationships, romantic relationships Pro-social behaviour, evolutionary and motivational
factors, situational influence bystander effect, time pressure, location and helping,
culture, moods, pro-social media effects, role models and social norms Altruistic
personality, interpersonal influences: perceived characteristic of the person in need,
gender and helping Aggression-culture, gender and individual difference, causes of
human aggression, the frustration-aggression hypothesis, negative affect, prevention and
control of aggression.
Psychopathology Diagnosis and classification of Mental disorders: DSM & ICD
classifications. case taking practices- MSE, MMSE, clinical interview, case study, common
signs and symptoms of mental disorders.
Neurodevelopmental disorders: Intellectual disabilities, pervasive and specific
developmental disorders, communication disorders, autism spectrum disorders, specific
learning disorders, behavioural and emotional disorders with onset in childhood and
adolescence.
Major Mental Disorders Schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disordersschizophrenia, schizo-typal, delusional, and other non-psychotic disorders,affective
disorders- bipolar – depressive disorders
Personality disorders , sexual dysfunctions, gender dysphoria, mental and behavioural
disorders due to psycho active substance use.
Anxiety disorders, dissociative disorders, trauma – stress related, somatoform
disorders,obsessive – compulsive related disorders.
Neurocognitive disordersorganic mental disorders, vascular dementia, amnestic disorder,
delirum, personality and
behavioural disorders due to known physiological conditions, unspecified organic mental
disorders.
Applied PsychologyPsychology in Organizational Setting Approaches to organizational
behaviour – Training for Organizational Managers – Sensitivity training, Cultural diversity
training, protection against sexual harassment training, 360 degree feedback, Mentoring,
Organizational Counseling – Chronic absentees, accident prone employee, alcoholism and
drug addition, indisciplined employees.
Psychology in School Setting Approaches to Behavioral Management – Reality Model,
Decisive discipline, Assertive Discipline – Class room management – Dealing with problem
behavior, Communication strategies, Positive behaviors support - School counseling –
Therapeutic intervention - Home & School, Psychosocial implication of disabilities, Special
education.
Psychology in clinical setting Psychodynamic Psychotherapies – Supportive
Psychotherapies, Crisis intervention, Hypnosis, Group Therapies Behaviour Therapies –
Relaxation and Systematic Desensitization – Progressive muscular relaxation, Guided –
Somato Psychic relaxation, Assertive training, Modeling, Contingency Management,
Response elimination and Extinction procedure, punishment and aversion procedures,
applied behavior analysis. CBT, Beck cognitive Therapy, RET, Biofeedback, Stress
inoculation.
Psychology of health and wellbeing : Bio-psychosocial approaches - Promotion of
psychological, social and physical well being. health related beliefs and attitudes, health
enhancing behavior, health compromising behaviour, Type A and Type B personalities,
Psycho-neuro-immunology, Pain & its management .
Emerging trends in Psychology: Sports -Personality profile of athletes – Team cohesion –
Combating drug abuse in Sports Persons
Forensic – Biological evidence: DNA finger printing, Brain mapping; Detection of
deception; Interrogation, Polygraph, Narcoanalysis
Environmental Psychology – Psychological roots of Environmental Psychology – Climate and
well being – Pollution and its effect on human being – Disaster management
NOTE: - It may be noted that apart from the topics detailed above,
questions from other topics prescribed for the educational qualification
of the post may also appear in the question paper. There is no
undertaking that all the topics above may be covered in the question
paper
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete