IGNOU Exam Question Pattern >> MAPC >> MPC004 - Advanced Social Psychology

We analysed the examination pattern for IGNOU's MAPC course - taking into account every single examination for every single subject. Very useful, high-quality insights.

For more, visit https://psylearners.psychotechservices.com/search/label/Question%20Paper%20Pattern

1. Psychology Super-NotesPsychoTech Services Psychology Learners
Version 1.0
IGNOU MAPC
Exam Question Pattern
MPC004
The First! The Best!
Psychology.PsychoTechServices.com

2. Psychology Super-NotesPsychoTech Services Psychology Learners
Question Paper Pattern -
Advanced Social Psychology

3. Psychology Super-NotesPsychoTech Services Psychology Learners
Copyright © 2020, by M S Ahluwalia
Trademarks
‘Super-Notes’, ‘All About’, ‘Psychology Learners’, ‘PsyLearners’, ‘M S Ahluwalia’, ‘PsychoTech Services’, ‘Real Happiness Center’
and the msalogo, the PsyLearnerslogo, Star and Starjilogos for Real Happiness Center logo and PsychoTech Services logo are
trademarks of M S Ahluwalia in India and other countries, and may not be used without explicit written permission.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. PsychoTech Services and M S Ahluwalia, arenot associated
with any product or vendor mentioned in this book.
Limit of liability/disclaimer of warranty
The publisher and the author make no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the
contents of this work and specifically disclaim all warranties, including without limitation warranties of fitness for a particular
purpose. This book should not be used as a replacement of expert opinion. No warranty may be created or extended by sales or
promotional materials. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for every situation. This work is sold with
the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional services. If professional
assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought. Neither the publisher nor the author
shall be liable for damages arising herefrom. The fact that an organization or website is referred to in this work as a citation
and/or a potential source of further information does not mean that the author or the publisher endorses the information the
organization or website may provide or recommendations it may make. Further, readers should be aware that internet websites
listed in this work may have changed or disappeared between when this work was written and when it is read.
This document was prepared with the intent of helping students. Students are advised to be careful while using this. There may
be errors in the analysis/document considering it has not undergone peer review. In case you notice any errors or have any
suggestions for the improvement of this document, please send an email to [email protected].
For general information on our other publications or for any kind of support or further information, you may reach us at
[email protected].
3
! Disclaimer

4. Psychology Super-NotesPsychoTech Services Psychology Learners
Psychology.PsychoTechServices.com

5. Psychology Super-NotesPsychoTech Services Psychology Learners
Version 1.0
Click here to access now!
Super-Notes
A proprietary approach developed by bringing together
the best of learning theories from Psychology, design
principles from the world of visualization, and
pedagogical methods from over a decade of training
experience, that enables you to:
Learn better, faster!

6. Psychology Super-NotesPsychoTech Services Psychology LearnersPsychology Super-NotesPsychoTech Services Psychology Learners 6
We are here to help you…
It is in our DNA. We were born out of a
project to help students!

7. Psychology Super-NotesPsychoTech Services Psychology Learners
We are here to help you!
If you are a faculty or student of IGNOU, this document may be just what you need!
IGNOU has a vast syllabus, there is minimal support from the study centers and university.
But, the exams are as tough as exams for regular programs, if not tougher. Unfortunately,
the students, most of whom are working, don’t get sufficient support for their exams.
We at PsychoTechServices have launched several efforts to help IGNOU students –if you
haven’t visited our IGNOU MAPC Corneryet, now might be the right time! Back in 2015, we
created the first version of our ‘IGNOU Question Paper Pattern Analysis’ with the objective of
helping IGNOU students with their theory examinations. Several copies and duplicates soon
surfaced. Some of them very brightly colored with fancy graphics. But none with the same
high level of accuracy and quality of analysis and insights.
While this document and the analysis in it would help you a lot, do remember exams are
both a test of your knowledge and your ability to present the answers in a manner that the
examiner is inclined to give you marks. So work on both these aspects –read this for some
very useful tips on How to Score More in your Exams!
Good luck for your exams!!!
7

8. Psychology Super-NotesPsychoTech Services Psychology Learners
Version 1.0
IGNOU MAPC Corner
Helping IGNOU students since 2014!
Click here to access now!

9. Psychology Super-NotesPsychoTech Services Psychology LearnersPsychology Super-NotesPsychoTech Services Psychology Learners 9
An approach that works…
Even though IGNOU changed the structure
of its question papers, the results of our
first analysis from 2015 are valid and
useful! We refreshed it, just to confirm!

10. Psychology Super-NotesPsychoTech Services Psychology Learners
An approach that works…
Our approach is based on a very simple and logical concept… The syllabus of any course
created anywhere on this planet can, typically, be broken into three parts –1. core concepts,
2. important concepts and 3. related but not as important concepts. Now, logically, if you
have to test your students’ knowledge of a subject which of these three would you focus on?
Simple, right ☺This is the reason we find that the pattern of questions asked in entrance
exams and university exams anywhere in the world clearly mirror the above. Most questions
are asked from the core concepts, some from the important concepts and rarely from
the related concepts.
Therefore, as a student, it does not make sense for you to put equal effort in all subjects.
When you prepare for your exams, you must prioritize -‘by-heart’ the core concepts, learn
the important concepts and touch the related concepts if you intend to score a perfect 100!
How do you know which topic belongs to which category? That is what this document will
help you to know. We analyzed all the question papers available on the IGNOU site, right
from the beginning of the course to find out the relative importance of every part of your
syllabus.
This will help you to get maximum marks with minimum effort!
10

11. Psychology Super-NotesPsychoTech Services Psychology Learners
Question Paper Pattern -
Advanced Social Psychology
Let’s start!
This document is for: MPC004

12. Psychology Super-NotesPsychoTech Services Psychology LearnersPsychology Super-NotesPsychoTech Services Psychology Learners 12
How is the
Question Paper structured?

13. Psychology Super-NotesPsychoTech Services Psychology Learners
The Examination Setup
Environment:
An examination hall, typically in an IGNOU study center. Depending on your luck –it could be
noisy with lot of cheating, peaceful with strict invigilation, comfortable desks or
uncomfortable broken desks, clean or filthy washrooms.
Time: 2 hours Maximum Marks: 50
Question Paper Structure:
Since 2015, the question paper pattern has been consistent. It is divided into 3 sections:
13
SectionNumber of Questions Word-LimitMarks per questionTotal Marks
A 2 out of 4 500 10 20
B 4 out of 5 300 6 24
C 2 out of 3 100 3 6
*Questions in sections A and B are usually broken into sub-parts comprising of related questions. In our analysis we
have counted them as separate questions and mapped to the respective topics in the IGNOU study material.

14. Psychology Super-NotesPsychoTech Services Psychology LearnersPsychology Super-NotesPsychoTech Services Psychology Learners 14
The most important block is…

15. Psychology Super-NotesPsychoTech Services Psychology Learners
…Block 1, closely followed by 3!
Whether you look at the recent or lifetime stats, Block 1 is the most important, followed by
blocks 3 and 2 respectively. Just look at the consistency!
15
31%
28%
32%
24%
25%
22%
25%
27%
31%
20%
20%
15%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Lifetime
Last 5
years
Last 3
years
Weightage of different blocks in exams, %age of total marks
1_Introduction to Social Psychology 2_Process of social influence
3_Attitudes, Stereotypes, Prejudice and Discrimination4_Group Dynamics
Note: Numbers have been rounded off for easier understanding

16. Psychology Super-NotesPsychoTech Services Psychology LearnersPsychology Super-NotesPsychoTech Services Psychology Learners 16
The most important chapters are…
We suggest students to use this list
for the final full reading before exams –
so that you do not miss any important
chapters in case of insufficient time.

17. Psychology Super-NotesPsychoTech Services Psychology Learners
…1.3, 1.2, 3.2, 2.1 and 3.3 in that order!
The number before ‘.’ is the block number and the number after ‘.’ is the chapter in that block.
Priority 1 chapters are highlighted in yellow bold text below (and yellow background on next page),
Priority 2 chapters in white/gray bold text, and
Priority 3 in small, normal text.
17
7%
4%
5%
10%
10%
10%
11%
11%
11%
3%
4%
5%
10%
9%
8%
4%
4%
3%
6%
6%
6%
4%
5%
5%
5%
3%
5%
6%
9%
10%
7%
8%
8%
6%
6%
8%
7%
4%
2%
5%
5%
4%
6%
7%
5%
2%
3%
3%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Lifetime
Last 5 years
Last 3 years
Weightage of different chapters in exams, %age of total marks
1.11.21.31.42.12.22.32.43.13.23.33.44.14.24.34.4
Note: Numbers have been rounded off for easier understanding

18. Psychology Super-NotesPsychoTech Services Psychology Learners
Chapters –in order of current importance
18
Note: Numbers refer to marks as %age of total marks for the period, and have been rounded off for easier understandingChapter LifetimeLast 5 yearsLast 3 years
1.3_Methods Of Social Psychology
11% 11% 11%
1.2_Social Cognition: Attribution Theory
10% 10% 10%
3.2_Formation Of Attitude And Attitude Change
6% 9% 10%
2.1_The Concept Of Social Influence
10% 9% 8%
3.3_Prejudice And Discrimination
7% 8% 8%
3.4_Social Conflict And Its Resolution
6% 6% 8%
2.3_Interpersonal Attraction
6% 6% 6%
1.1_Nature And Concept Of Social Psychology And Social Psychology Related To Other Disciplines
6.9% 3.7% 5.5%
2.4_Aggression And Violence
4% 5% 5%
4.3_Social Identity, Crowding And Crowd Behaviour
6% 7% 5%
1.4_Current Trends In Social Psychology And Ethical Issues
3% 4% 5%
3.1_Introduction To Attitude And Stereotypes
5% 3% 5%
4.2_Group Dynamics
5% 5% 4%
4.4_Cooperation, Competition And Conflicts
2% 3% 3%
2.2_Pro-Social Behaviour And Factors Contributing To Pro-Social Behaviour
4% 4% 3%
4.1_Introduction To Group, Formation And Types Of Group
7% 4% 2%

19. Psychology Super-NotesPsychoTech Services Psychology LearnersPsychology Super-NotesPsychoTech Services Psychology Learners 19
Now, let’s look at the topics.
We suggest you use this list for revision –
to ensure that you have learnt
Priority 1 and 2 topics

20. Psychology Super-NotesPsychoTech Services Psychology Learners
The Top 20 Current topics –Priority 1
20
Note: Numbers refer to marks as %age of total marks for the period, and have been rounded off for easier understandingTopic Lifetime Last 5 yearsLast 3 years
2.3 Attitude Change 3.2% 5.3% 5.5%
3.7 Methods of Reducing Prejudice and Discrimination 2.9% 4.2% 5.1%
2.2 Factors of Attitude Formation 3.2% 3.4% 4.6%
3.3 Explaining Interpersonal Attraction 2.3% 3.1% 3.8%
2.8.3 Bem’s Self-Perception Theory 2.2% 2.2% 3.8%
4.4 Methods of Conflict Resolution 1.8% 2.6% 3.4%
1.3.3.4 Experimental Studies of Human Obedience 1.4% 2.7% 3.2%
2.2.1 Meaning, Concept and Importance of Group Dynamics 2.8% 2.8% 2.5%
2.6 Errors in Attribution 1.6% 2.7% 2.5%
4.2 Nature of Social Conflict 1.7% 1.7% 2.3%
3.4 Ethnography 1.7% 1.6% 2.1%
1.4 Historical Developments: The Emergence of Modern Social Psychology1.6% 1.7% 2.1%
3.3.1 Methods of Data Collection 1.4% 1.4% 2.1%
4.2 Social Psychology Applications 1.4% 2.0% 2.1%
4.5 Theories of Aggression 0.7% 1.2% 2.1%
3.6 Manifestation of Predudice 1.0% 2.0% 1.9%
3.3.3 Threats to the Validity in Experimental Research 0.6% 1.1% 1.9%
3.3.2.3 Experimental Method 1.3% 2.3% 1.8%
1.3 Theories of Attitude Organisation 1.3% 1.0% 1.7%
3.2.2.3 Heider’s Balance Theory 1.2% 1.0% 1.7%

21. Psychology Super-NotesPsychoTech Services Psychology Learners
Next 40 Current topics –Priority 2 (1/2)
21
Note: Numbers refer to marks as %age of total marks for the period, and have been rounded off for easier understandingTopic Lifetime Last 5 yearsLast 3 years
3.3.2 2 Correlational Method 1.7% 1.7% 1.6%
1.5.1 Theories of Group Formation 2.1% 2.5% 1.5%
2.5 Theoretical Perspectives 1.8% 2.6% 1.5%
1.3.3 Obedience 1.0% 1.5% 1.5%
4.3 Cooperation 0.8% 1.3% 1.4%
3.6 Theories of Crowd Behaviour 1.7% 2.3% 1.3%
2.4.1 Schemas: Holding our Impressions Together 1.6% 1.1% 1.3%
4.6 Some Ethical Issues in Social Psychological Research 1.0% 0.7% 1.3%
3.3.2.1 Observational Method 1.0% 0.7% 1.3%
3.6.3 Group Mind Theory 0.6% 1.1% 1.3%
4.6 Two Dimensional Model 0.4% 0.7% 1.3%
4.6 Intervention to Reduce Aggression 0.4% 0.7% 1.3%
1.2 Nature and Concept of Social Psychology 1.6% 0.6% 1.1%
4.3 Forms of Social Conflict 0.7% 1.3% 1.1%
1.3 Scope of Social Psychology 0.7% 0.6% 1.1%
2.2 Person Perception and Social Cognition 2.1% 2.1% 0.8%
1.4.2 Development and Maintenance of Stereotypes 0.3% 0.5% 0.8%
1.3.2.2 Four Compliance Strategies 0.3% 0.5% 0.8%
1.3.3.4.3 Factors That Increase Obedience 0.3% 0.5% 0.8%
4.4 Competition 0.4% 0.4% 0.7%

22. Psychology Super-NotesPsychoTech Services Psychology Learners
Next 40 Current topics –Priority 2 (2/2)
22
Note: Numbers refer to marks as %age of total marks for the period, and have been rounded off for easier understandingTopic Lifetime Last 5 yearsLast 3 years
3.2 Social Identity Theory 2.2% 1.0% 0.6%
1.4 Characteristics of a Group 1.3% 1.1% 0.6%
3.2 Interpersonal Attraction 1.2% 1.1% 0.6%
2.2 Pro-social Behaviour 1.0% 1.1% 0.6%
2.3 Cognitive Algebra: Additive and Averaging Models 0.8% 0.4% 0.6%
1.3.3 Kelman’s Three Process Theory 0.5% 0.4% 0.6%
2.4 Measurement of Group Dynamics 0.5% 0.4% 0.6%
2.2.3 Interpersonal Attraction and Cohesion in Group Dynamics 0.4% 0.8% 0.6%
2.4.2 Prototypes 0.4% 0.7% 0.6%
2.7 Empathy – Altruism Hypothesis 0.4% 0.7% 0.6%
1.6.2 Social Psychology and Anthropology 0.4% 0.4% 0.6%
4.6.2 Informed Consent 0.3% 0.6% 0.6%
3.3.2.4 Quasi Experimental Method 0.3% 0.4% 0.6%
1.3.1.3 Informational Social Influence 0.2% 0.4% 0.6%
3.3.2 Inactive Crowd 0.2% 0.4% 0.6%
4.5.8 Social Information Processing Theories 0.2% 0.4% 0.6%
2.5 Group Development 0.2% 0.4% 0.6%
4.3 The Measurement of Aggression 0.2% 0.4% 0.6%
4.3.2 Role of Cooperation 0.2% 0.4% 0.6%
4.5.5 Script Theory 0.2% 0.4% 0.6%

23. Psychology Super-NotesPsychoTech Services Psychology Learners
Remaining topics –Priority 3 (1/3)
23
Note: Numbers refer to marks as %age of total marks for the period, and have been rounded off for easier understandingTopic Lifetime Last 5 yearsLast 3 years
2.7 The Person : Positivity Bias: Looking for the Good in Others 0.2% 0.4% 0.6%
1.3.1.5 Minority Influence and Conformity 0.2% 0.4% 0.6%
1.4.7 Middle Range Theories 0.2% 0.4% 0.6%
4.6.3 Debriefing 0.2% 0.4% 0.6%
1.3.2 Katz’s Functional Theory 0.2% 0.4% 0.6%
4.4.2 Value of Competition 0.2% 0.4% 0.6%
3.2 Characteristics of Prejudice 1.5% 0.7% 0.5%
3.4 Discrimination 1.3% 0.3% 0.5%
1.2 Nature of Attitudes 1.4% 0.6% 0.4%
1.4 Stereotypes 1.2% 0.5% 0.4%
1.3.2 Compliance 0.9% 0.6% 0.4%
3.7 Collective Behaviour 0.8% 1.5% 0.4%
3.5 Crowd Behaviour 0.3% 0.2% 0.4%
3.7.3 Mob 0.1% 0.2% 0.3%
3.7.2 Audience 0.1% 0.2% 0.3%
4.4 Causes of Aggressive Behaviour 1.6% 0.6% 0.0%
1.3.1 Conformity 1.5% 0.4% 0.0%
1.3.1.1 Asch's (1951) Experiment on Conformity 1.2% 0.7% 0.0%
2.4 Factors Affecting Helping Behaviour 1.1% 0.0% 0.0%
1.3.1.2 Factors Found to Increasing Conformity 1.1% 0.9% 0.0%

24. Psychology Super-NotesPsychoTech Services Psychology Learners
Remaining topics –Priority 3 (2/3)
24
Note: Numbers refer to marks as %age of total marks for the period, and have been rounded off for easier understandingTopic Lifetime Last 5 yearsLast 3 years
1.6 Types of Group 1.1% 0.0% 0.0%
1.6 Interdisciplinary versus Intradisciplinary Approaches to Social Psychology1.0% 0.0% 0.0%
3.3.2 Evolutionary Theories 1.0% 1.2% 0.0%
1.2 Current Research on Social Influence 1.0% 0.6% 0.0%
1.2 Definition and Meaning of Group 0.9% 0.4% 0.0%
3.3.2.5 Experimental Designs 0.8% 1.2% 0.0%
2.5.2 Covariation Principle 0.8% 0.0% 0.0%
4.3.1 Types of Cooperation 0.7% 1.0% 0.0%
1.9 Group Behaviour and Group Action 0.7% 0.0% 0.0%
4.5 Blake and Mouton Strategies 0.7% 0.0% 0.0%
1.5 Social Psychology and other Disciplines 0.7% 0.0% 0.0%
3.2 Social Psychological Approach: Needs and Aims 0.7% 0.0% 0.0%
2.2.2 Role of Communication in Group Dynamics 0.6% 0.4% 0.0%
4.5.2 Frustration-Aggression Theory 0.5% 0.3% 0.0%
1.6.1 Social Psychology and Sociology 0.5% 0.0% 0.0%
1.5.2 Ten (10) Rules that Govern Groups 0.5% 0.0% 0.0%
3.5 Development and Maintenance of Prejudice and Discrimination 0.4% 0.7% 0.0%
2.5 Attribution: Explaining the Causes of Behaviour 0.4% 0.0% 0.0%
4.5.1 Psychodynamic Theory 0.3% 0.6% 0.0%
1.2.2 Persuasion 0.3% 0.0% 0.0%

25. Psychology Super-NotesPsychoTech Services Psychology Learners
Remaining topics –Priority 3 (3/3)
25
Note: Numbers refer to marks as %age of total marks for the period, and have been rounded off for easier understandingTopic Lifetime Last 5 yearsLast 3 years
3.4.4 Evaluation 0.3% 0.0% 0.0%
1.4.3 People’s Psychology 0.3% 0.0% 0.0%
3.4.3 Other Methods in Ethnography 0.3% 0.4% 0.0%
4.7 Group Conflict in Indian Society 0.3% 0.0% 0.0%
1.3.2.1 Principles Observed by Robort Cialdini 0.3% 0.0% 0.0%
2.3 Culture and Group 0.3% 0.0% 0.0%
1.2.1 Characteristics of Attitudes 0.3% 0.0% 0.0%
1.3 Important Features of Group 0.3% 0.4% 0.0%
2.8 Understanding One’s Own Behaviour 0.3% 0.0% 0.0%
3.4.2 Steps in Ethnography Method 0.3% 0.5% 0.0%
4.2 Nature and Types of Aggression 0.2% 0.4% 0.0%
1.3 Areas of Social Influence 0.2% 0.4% 0.0%
3.4 Crowd Psychology 0.2% 0.4% 0.0%
4.5 Conflict 0.2% 0.0% 0.0%
3.4.1 Characteristics of Ethnography 0.2% 0.0% 0.0%
3.3 Types of Prejudice 0.1% 0.2% 0.0%
1.2.2 Attitude and Beliefs 0.1% 0.2% 0.0%
3.3.2 Methods of Analysis 0.1% 0.2% 0.0%

26. Psychology Super-NotesPsychoTech Services Psychology Learners 26
Now that you know the most
important topics,
What Next?
Move to the next page to find out…

27. Psychology Super-NotesPsychoTech Services Psychology Learners
Version 1.0
Click here to access now!
Super-Notes
A proprietary approach developed by bringing together
the best of learning theories from Psychology, design
principles from the world of visualization, and
pedagogical methods from over a decade of training
experience, that enables you to:
Learn better, faster!

28. Psychology Super-NotesPsychoTech Services Psychology LearnersPsychology Super-NotesPsychoTech Services Psychology Learners 28
Do you have any questions,
or suggestions?
Message us on Facebook:
facebook.com/PsychologyLearners

29. Psychology Super-NotesPsychoTech Services Psychology Learners
Version 1.0
We have curated a list of movies directly
and indirectly related to psychology.
Click here to access now!
Do you know watching movies
is probably the best way of
learning about something?

30. Psychology Super-NotesPsychoTech Services Psychology Learners
Version 1.0
We have a collection of reviews, previews, and
legally free e-books for you.
Click here to access now!
Are you looking for books to help
you apply the concepts of
Psychology in real life?

31. Psychology Super-NotesPsychoTech Services Psychology Learners 31
Meme like cards
to help you
understand and
remember
complicated
concepts.
PsyConcepts
Quotes related to
psychology,
complete with
explanations to
help understand
their real context
and meaning
PsyQuotes
Professional
checklists and
templates to
improve the look
of your work and
reduce errors
PsyTemplates
You may also be interested in…

32. Psychology Super-NotesPsychoTech Services Psychology Learners
Version 1.0
Helping IGNOU students since 2014!
Click here to access now!
IGNOU MAPC Corner

33. Psychology Super-NotesPsychoTech Services Psychology Learners
Psychology.PsychoTechServices.com

34. Psychology Super-NotesPsychoTech Services Psychology Learners
www.RealHappinessCenter.com
The
Real Happiness
Center

35. Psychology Super-NotesPsychoTech Services Psychology Learners
www.PsychoTechServices.com
Services