PSYCHOLOGY: Class 11th, Unit 1 (One)

Syllabus…..UNIT – I
INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY
☐ Nature and scope of Psychology.
☐ Brief historical background of Psychology.
☐ Branches of Psychology: Educational, Social, Abnormal, Experimental, Clinical, Industrial and Cognitive Psychology.
☐ Schools of thought in Psychology: Structuralism, Functionalism, Behaviourism and Psychoanalysis.
9 marks
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Class 11: UNIT–1: INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY
(Question–Answer Format)
1. Nature and Scope of Psychology
Q1. What is Psychology?
Answer:
Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour and mental processes. It studies how people think, feel, and act in different situations. It also examines internal processes like perception, memory, intelligence, emotions, and motivation.
Q2. Why is Psychology called a science?
Answer:
Psychology is called a science because:
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It uses scientific methods like observation and experimentation.
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It collects data systematically.
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It tests hypotheses.
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It draws conclusions based on evidence.
Q3. What is meant by behaviour?
Answer:
Behaviour refers to any action or reaction of a person that can be observed and measured. It includes both:
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Overt behaviour (visible actions like walking, talking)
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Covert behaviour (internal processes like thinking and feeling)
Q4. What are mental processes?
Answer:
Mental processes are internal experiences such as:
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Thinking
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Learning
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Memory
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Perception
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Emotions
These cannot be seen directly but are studied scientifically.
Q5. What is the scope of Psychology?
Answer:
The scope of psychology is very wide. It includes:
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Study of human behaviour
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Study of animal behaviour
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Mental health and counselling
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Education and learning
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Workplace behaviour
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Social interactions
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Personality development
Psychology is applied in schools, hospitals, industries, sports, and defense services.
2. Brief Historical Background of Psychology
Q6. When did Psychology emerge as a science?
Answer:
Psychology emerged as an independent scientific discipline in 1879, when Wilhelm Wundt established the first psychology laboratory in Leipzig, Germany.
Q7. How was Psychology studied in ancient times?
Answer:
In ancient times, psychology was part of philosophy. Greek philosophers like Plato and Aristotle discussed topics like memory, learning, and emotions.
In India, psychological ideas were found in:
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Vedas
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Upanishads
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Bhagavad Gita
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Buddhist philosophy
Q8. Who is known as the “Father of Modern Psychology”?
Answer:
Wilhelm Wundt is known as the Father of Modern Psychology because he established the first psychology laboratory.
Q9. What was the main focus of early psychology?
Answer:
Early psychology focused on:
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Conscious experience
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Sensations
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Feelings
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Introspection (self-observation method)
3. Branches of Psychology
Q10. What are the major branches of Psychology?
Answer:
The major branches include:
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Educational Psychology
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Social Psychology
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Abnormal Psychology
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Experimental Psychology
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Clinical Psychology
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Industrial Psychology
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Cognitive Psychology
Q11. What is Educational Psychology?
Answer:
Educational Psychology studies how people learn. It focuses on:
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Teaching methods
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Learning difficulties
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Motivation
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Intelligence testing
Q12. What is Social Psychology?
Answer:
Social Psychology studies how individuals behave in social situations. It deals with:
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Attitudes
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Group behaviour
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Social influence
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Prejudice
Q13. What is Abnormal Psychology?
Answer:
Abnormal Psychology studies abnormal behaviour and mental disorders such as:
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Depression
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Anxiety
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Phobias
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Schizophrenia
Q14. What is Experimental Psychology?
Answer:
Experimental Psychology studies basic psychological processes like:
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Learning
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Memory
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Perception
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Motivation
It uses laboratory experiments.
Q15. What is Clinical Psychology?
Answer:
Clinical Psychology deals with diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. Clinical psychologists provide therapy and counselling.
Q16. What is Industrial Psychology?
Answer:
Industrial Psychology studies behaviour at the workplace. It focuses on:
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Employee selection
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Motivation
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Job satisfaction
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Productivity
Q17. What is Cognitive Psychology?
Answer:
Cognitive Psychology studies mental processes such as:
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Thinking
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Problem-solving
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Decision-making
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Memory
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Language
4. Schools of Thought in Psychology
Q18. What are schools of thought in Psychology?
Answer:
Schools of thought are different approaches or perspectives that explain behaviour and mental processes in different ways.
The main schools are:
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Structuralism
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Functionalism
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Behaviourism
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Psychoanalysis
Structuralism
Q19. What is Structuralism?
Answer:
Structuralism was the first school of psychology. It aimed to study the structure of the mind by breaking it into basic elements like sensations and feelings.
Q20. Who founded Structuralism?
Answer:
Structuralism was developed by Wilhelm Wundt and later expanded by Edward Titchener.
Q21. What method did Structuralism use?
Answer:
It used introspection, where individuals described their conscious experiences.
Functionalism
Q22. What is Functionalism?
Answer:
Functionalism focused on the functions of mental processes rather than their structure. It studied how mental activities help people adapt to their environment.
Q23. Who founded Functionalism?
Answer:
Functionalism was founded by William James.
Behaviourism
Q24. What is Behaviourism?
Answer:
Behaviourism focuses only on observable behaviour and ignores mental processes. It believes behaviour is learned through interaction with the environment.
Q25. Who are the main Behaviourists?
Answer:
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John B. Watson
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B.F. Skinner
Q26. What is the main idea of Behaviourism?
Answer:
Behaviour is shaped by:
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Stimulus and response
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Reinforcement and punishment
Psychoanalysis
Q27. What is Psychoanalysis?
Answer:
Psychoanalysis emphasizes the role of unconscious mind, childhood experiences, and hidden desires in influencing behaviour.
Q28. Who founded Psychoanalysis?
Answer:
Sigmund Freud founded Psychoanalysis.
Q29. What are the parts of personality according to Freud?
Answer:
Freud divided personality into:
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Id (instincts)
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Ego (reality principle)
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Superego (moral values)
Long Answer / 5–8 Marks Important Questions
Q30. Explain the nature of Psychology.
Answer:
Psychology is a scientific discipline that studies behaviour and mental processes. It uses scientific methods such as observation and experimentation. It studies both observable behaviour and internal mental processes. It helps in understanding individual differences and solving real-life problems.
Q31. Discuss the historical development of Psychology.
Answer:
Psychology originated from philosophy. Ancient Greek philosophers studied mental activities. In 1879, Wilhelm Wundt established the first laboratory, making psychology a scientific subject. Later, different schools like Structuralism, Functionalism, Behaviourism, and Psychoanalysis developed, shaping modern psychology.
Q32. Explain the branches of Psychology.
Answer:
Psychology has several branches such as Educational, Social, Clinical, Industrial, Experimental, Abnormal, and Cognitive Psychology. Each branch studies specific aspects of human behaviour and mental processes and has practical applications in different fields.
Q33. Compare Structuralism and Functionalism.
Answer:
| Structuralism | Functionalism |
|---|---|
| Studies structure of mind | Studies function of mind |
| Focus on elements of consciousness | Focus on adaptation |
| Used introspection | Used observation |
| Founded by Wundt | Founded by William James |
Q34. Explain Behaviourism and Psychoanalysis.
Answer:
Behaviourism focuses on observable behaviour and learning through reinforcement. It ignores mental processes. Psychoanalysis, founded by Freud, emphasizes unconscious motives and childhood experiences in shaping behaviour.
✅ 2-MARK QUESTIONS (Very Short Answers)
Q1. Define Psychology.
Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour and mental processes.
Q2. What is behaviour?
Behaviour refers to any observable action or reaction of a person, including both overt and covert activities.
Q3. What are mental processes?
Mental processes are internal activities such as thinking, memory, perception, and emotions.
Q4. Who is the Father of Modern Psychology?
Wilhelm Wundt.
Q5. In which year was the first psychology laboratory established?
In 1879 at Leipzig, Germany.
Q6. What is introspection?
Introspection is a method in which a person observes and reports their own conscious experiences.
Q7. Name any two branches of Psychology.
Educational Psychology and Social Psychology.
Q8. Who founded Psychoanalysis?
Sigmund Freud.
Q9. Who founded Behaviourism?
John B. Watson.
Q10. What is Structuralism?
Structuralism is the study of the structure of conscious experience.
✅ 3-MARK QUESTIONS (Short Answers)
Q1. Explain the nature of Psychology.
Psychology is a scientific discipline that studies behaviour and mental processes. It uses systematic methods like observation and experimentation. It studies both overt behaviour and internal mental processes. Psychology also helps in solving practical problems of daily life.
Q2. Write a short note on the scope of Psychology.
The scope of psychology is wide and includes the study of human and animal behaviour, learning, memory, intelligence, personality, emotions, and mental health. It is applied in education, industry, hospitals, defence, and social services.
Q3. What is Educational Psychology?
Educational Psychology studies how people learn. It focuses on teaching methods, learning difficulties, motivation, intelligence, and classroom behaviour.
Q4. What is Behaviourism?
Behaviourism is a school of thought that studies only observable behaviour. It believes behaviour is learned through stimulus and response and shaped by reinforcement and punishment.
Q5. What is Psychoanalysis?
Psychoanalysis is a theory developed by Sigmund Freud. It emphasizes the role of the unconscious mind and childhood experiences in shaping behaviour.
Q6. Differentiate between overt and covert behaviour.
Overt behaviour is visible and can be observed directly, such as walking or speaking.
Covert behaviour is internal and cannot be directly observed, such as thinking or feeling.
✅ 5-MARK QUESTIONS (Long Answers)
Q1. Explain the historical development of Psychology.
Psychology originated from philosophy in ancient times. Greek philosophers like Plato and Aristotle discussed mental processes. In India, psychological ideas were present in Vedas and Upanishads. Psychology became a scientific discipline in 1879 when Wilhelm Wundt established the first laboratory in Germany. Later, different schools such as Structuralism, Functionalism, Behaviourism, and Psychoanalysis developed, contributing to modern psychology.
Q2. Discuss the branches of Psychology.
Psychology has several branches. Educational Psychology studies learning and teaching. Social Psychology studies behaviour in social situations. Clinical Psychology deals with mental disorders and therapy. Industrial Psychology focuses on workplace behaviour. Experimental Psychology studies basic processes like memory and perception. Abnormal Psychology studies mental disorders. Cognitive Psychology studies thinking and problem-solving. Each branch has practical applications in different fields.
Q3. Explain Structuralism and Functionalism.
Structuralism was founded by Wilhelm Wundt and Edward Titchener. It focused on the structure of conscious experience and used introspection as a method.
Functionalism, founded by William James, focused on how mental processes help individuals adapt to their environment. It emphasized the function of behaviour rather than its structure.
Q4. Explain Behaviourism and Psychoanalysis.
Behaviourism, founded by John B. Watson, studies observable behaviour and believes behaviour is learned through stimulus-response connections. B.F. Skinner later expanded it with reinforcement theory.
Psychoanalysis, developed by Sigmund Freud, emphasizes unconscious motives and childhood experiences. Freud divided personality into Id, Ego, and Superego.
Q5. Explain the nature and scope of Psychology.
Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour and mental processes. It studies both observable actions and internal mental activities. The scope of psychology includes education, mental health, workplace behaviour, social interaction, and personality development. It helps in understanding human behaviour and solving real-life problems.
Model Test Paper with Answers
CLASS XI – PSYCHOLOGY
UNIT 1: INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY
Time: 1 Hour
Maximum Marks: 25
Section A – Very Short Answer Questions
(1 × 5 = 5 Marks)
Q1. Define Psychology.
Answer: Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour and mental processes.
Q2. Who established the first psychology laboratory and in which year?
Answer: Wilhelm Wundt established the first psychology laboratory in 1879.
Q3. What is introspection?
Answer: Introspection is a method of studying one’s own conscious experiences.
Q4. Name any two branches of Psychology.
Answer: Educational Psychology and Social Psychology.
Q5. Who founded Psychoanalysis?
Answer: Sigmund Freud.
Section B – Short Answer Questions
(3 × 4 = 12 Marks)
Q6. Explain the nature of Psychology. (3 Marks)
Answer:
Psychology is a scientific discipline that studies behaviour and mental processes. It uses scientific methods like observation and experimentation. It studies both overt behaviour and covert mental activities. Psychology helps in understanding individual differences and solving real-life problems.
Q7. Write a short note on the scope of Psychology. (3 Marks)
Answer:
The scope of psychology is wide. It studies learning, memory, intelligence, emotions, personality, and mental health. It is applied in education, industry, hospitals, defence services, and social settings. Psychology helps improve human adjustment and well-being.
Q8. Differentiate between Structuralism and Functionalism. (3 Marks)
Answer:
Structuralism focuses on the structure of the mind and breaks conscious experience into basic elements. It was founded by Wilhelm Wundt and used introspection.
Functionalism focuses on the function of mental processes and how they help individuals adapt to their environment. It was founded by William James.
Q9. What is Behaviourism? Explain briefly. (3 Marks)
Answer:
Behaviourism is a school of thought that studies observable behaviour. It ignores mental processes and believes behaviour is learned through stimulus and response. John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner were major behaviourists.
Section C – Long Answer Questions
(4 × 2 = 8 Marks)
Q10. Discuss the branches of Psychology. (4 Marks)
Answer:
Psychology has several branches:
Educational Psychology studies learning and teaching methods.
Social Psychology studies behaviour in social situations.
Clinical Psychology deals with diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders.
Industrial Psychology studies workplace behaviour and productivity.
Experimental Psychology studies basic processes like learning and memory.
Abnormal Psychology studies mental disorders.
Cognitive Psychology studies thinking and problem-solving.
Q11. Explain Psychoanalysis in detail. (4 Marks)
Answer:
Psychoanalysis was developed by Sigmund Freud. It emphasizes the role of the unconscious mind in shaping behaviour. Freud believed that childhood experiences influence personality. He divided personality into three parts: Id, Ego, and Superego. Psychoanalysis uses techniques like dream analysis and free association to understand hidden desires and conflicts.



