Psychology CSS Syllabus 2026 & 2027-Download FPSC PDF

CSS Psychology is a 100-mark optional paper under Group VII of the CSS optional subjects — Social Sciences and Languages — featured within a group that includes Arabic, Persian, Balochi, Pashto, Sindhi, Punjabi, Anthropology, Sociology, Geography, and Journalism and Mass Communication. FPSC sets the CSS Psychology syllabus to cover the nature and scope of psychology, biological basis of behavior, perception, learning and memory, motivation, developmental psychology, abnormal and clinical psychology, personality, intelligence, and psychological assessment. Abnormal and Clinical Psychology is the single most repeated topic in CSS Psychology past papers from 2001 to 2025 at 25 appearances, followed by Developmental Psychology at 22 — Feldman’s Psychology is the standard recommended text for CSS aspirants selecting this subject. Review the CSS optional subjects syllabus for combination rules and group requirements before confirming Psychology as your optional subject choice.

PSYCHOLOGY CSS Syllabus (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

PSYCHOLOGY Frequency Analysis (2001–2025)

PSYCHOLOGY Top 5 Most Repeated Topics (2001–2025)

1. XI. Abnormal and Clinical Psychology (25 Appearances)
2. X. Developmental Psychology (22 Appearances)
3. IV. Learning and Memory
4. VII. Personality
5. VIII. Intelligence