PSYCHOLOGY

CLASS XI (2023-2024)
(CODE NO. 037)

Psychology is introduced as an elective subject at the higher secondary stage of

school education. As a discipline, psychology specializes in the study of experiences,
behaviors and mental processes of human beings within a socio-cultural historical
context. This course purports to introduce the learners to the basic ideas, principles, and
methods in Psychology. The emphasis is to create interest and exposure needed by
learners to develop their own knowledge base and understanding.

The course deals with psychological knowledge and practices which are contextually
rooted. It emphasizes the complexity of behavioral processes and discourages simplistic
cause-effect thinking. This is pursued by encouraging critical reasoning, allowing students
to appreciate the role of cultural factors in behavior and illustrating how biology and
experiences shape behavior.

It is suggested that the teaching - learning processes should involve students in

evolving their own understanding, therefore, teaching of Psychology should be based
on the use of case studies, narratives, experiential exercises, analysis of common
everyday experiences, etc.

Objectives:

 To develop appreciation about human mind and behavior in the context of learners’
immediate society and environment.
 To develop in learners an appreciation of the nature of psychological
knowledge and its application to various aspects of life.
 To enable learners to become perceptive, socially aware and self-reflective.
 To facilitate students’ quest for personal growth and effectiveness, and to
enable them to become responsive and responsible citizens.
 COURSE STRUCTURE
CLASS XI (2023-2024)

Theory Paper 3 Hours

Marks: 70
Units Topics No. of Marks
periods
I What is Psychology? 27 11
II Methods of Enquiry in Psychology 32 13
IV Human Development 26 11
V Sensory, Attentional and Perceptual 18 8
Processes
VI Learning 20 9
VII Human Memory 19 8
VIII Thinking 14 5
IX Motivation and Emotion 14 5
Total 170 70

COURSE STRUCTURE

Unit I What is Psychology? 27 Periods

The topics in this unit are:
1. Introduction
2. What is Psychology?
 Psychology as a Discipline
 Psychology as a Natural Science
 Psychology as a Social Science
3. Understanding Mind and Behaviour
4. Popular Notions about the Discipline of Psychology
5. Evolution of Psychology
6. Development of Psychology in India
7. Branches of Psychology
8. Psychology and Other Disciplines
9. Psychology in Everyday Life
Unit II Methods of Enquiry in Psychology 32 Periods
The topics in this unit are:
1. Introduction
2. Goals of Psychological Enquiry
 Steps in Conducting Scientific Research
  Alternative Paradigms of Research
3. Nature of Psychological Data
4. Some Important Methods in Psychology
 Observational Method
 Experimental Method
 Correlational Research
 Survey Research
 Psychological Testing
 Case Study
5. Analysis of Data
 Quantitative Method
 Qualitative Method
6. Limitations of Psychological Enquiry
7. Ethical Issues
Unit IV Human Development 26 Periods
The topics in this unit are:
1. Introduction
2. Meaning of Development
 Life-Span Perspective on Development
3. Factors Influencing Development
4. Context of Development
5. Overview of Developmental Stages
 Prenatal Stage
 Infancy
 Childhood
 Challenges of Adolescence
 Adulthood and Old Age
Unit V Sensory, Attentional and Perceptual Processes 18 Periods
The topics in this unit are:
1. Introduction
2. Knowing the world
3. Nature and varieties of Stimulus
4. Sense Modalities
 Functional limitation of sense organs
5. Attentional Processes
 Selective Attention
 Sustained Attention
 6. Perceptual Processes
 Processing Approaches in Perception
7. The Perceiver
8. Principles of Perceptual Organisation
9. Perception of Space, Depth and Distance
 Monocular Cues and Binocular Cues
10. Perceptual Constancies
11. Illusions
12. Socio-Cultural Influences on Perception
Unit VI Learning 20 Periods
The topics in this unit are:
1. Introduction
2. Nature of Learning
3. Paradigms of Learning
4. Classical Conditioning
 Determinants of Classical Conditioning
5. Operant/Instrumental Conditioning
 Determinants of Operant Conditioning
 Key Learning Processes
6. Observational Learning
7. Cognitive Learning
8. Verbal Learning
9. Skill Learning
10. Factors Facilitating Learning
11. Learning Disabilities
Unit VII Human Memory 19 Periods
The topics in this unit are:
1. Introduction
2. Nature of memory
3. Information Processing Approach : The Stage Model
4. Memory Systems : Sensory, Short-term and Long-
term Memories
5. Levels of Processing
6. Types of Long-term Memory
 Declarative and Procedural; Episodic and
Semantic
7. Nature and Causes of Forgetting
  Forgetting due to Trace Decay, Interference and
Retrieval Failure
8. Enhancing Memory
 Mnemonics using Images and Organisation
Unit VIII Thinking 14 Periods
The topics in this unit are:
1. Introduction
2. Nature of Thinking
 Building Blocks of Thought
3. The Processes of Thinking
4. Problem Solving
5. Reasoning
6. Decision-making
7. Nature and Process of Creative Thinking
 Nature of Creative Thinking
 Process of Creative Thinking
8. Thought and Language
9. Development of Language and Language Use
Unit IX Motivation and Emotion 14 Periods
The topics in this unit are:
1. Introduction
2. Nature of Motivation
3. Types of Motives
 Biological Motives
 Psychosocial Motives
4. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
5. Nature of Emotions
6. Expression of Emotions
 Culture and Emotional Expression
 Culture and Emotional Labelling
7. Managing Negative Emotions
8. Enhancing Positive Emotions

Practical (Projects, experiments, small studies, etc.) 30 marks 60 Periods

The students shall be required to undertake one project and conduct
two experiments. The project would involve the use of different
methods of enquiry like observation, survey, interview, questionnaire,
small studies related to the topics covered in the course (e.g. Human
 development, Learning, Memory, Motivation, Perception, Attention and
Thinking). Experiments could focus on cause-and-effect relationship.
Practical Examination

 Practical (Experiments) file 05 Marks

 Project File 05 Marks

 Viva Voce (Project and experiments) 05 Marks

 One experiment (05 marks for conduct of 15 Marks

experiment and 10 marks for reporting)

Total 30 Marks

QUESTION PAPER DESIGN

CLASS –XI (2023-24)
I. Theory

Time: 3 Hours Maximum Marks: 70

S. Competencies Total Marks %
No. Weightage
1 Remembering and Understanding: Exhibiting 25 35%
memory of previously learned material by recalling
facts, terms, basic concepts, and answers;
Demonstrating understanding of facts and ideas by
organizing, comparing, translating, interpreting, giving
descriptions and stating main ideas
2 Applying: Solving problems to new situations by 31 45%
applying acquired knowledge, facts, techniques and
rules in a different way
3 Formulating, Analysing, Evaluating and 14 20%
Creating: Examining and breaking information into
parts by identifying motives or causes; Making
inferences and finding evidence to support
generalizations; Presenting and defending opinions
by making judgments about information, validity of
ideas, or quality of work based on a set of criteria;
Compiling information together in a different way by
combining elements in a new pattern or proposing
alternative solutions
Total 70 100%

II. Practical: 30 Marks

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