| Non-Rationalised Psychology NCERT Notes, Solutions and Extra Q & A (Class 11th & 12th) | |||||||||||||||||||
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Class 11th Psychology NCERT Notes, NCERT Question Solutions and Extra Q & A (Non-Rationalised)
1. What Is Psychology?
This introductory chapter defines **Psychology** as the scientific study of mind and behaviour. It explores psychology's origins in philosophy and its development as an independent scientific discipline. Various fields and applications of psychology (e.g., clinical, educational, sports psychology) are discussed, highlighting its relevance in understanding human experience. The chapter emphasizes that psychology uses systematic methods to study mental processes and behaviour objectively, aiming to gain insights into why people think, feel, and act as they do, ultimately contributing to human well-being and societal understanding.
2. Methods Of Enquiry In Psychology
This chapter explains the scientific **methods of enquiry** used by psychologists to conduct research systematically and objectively. It discusses different research designs, including observational methods (naturalistic, controlled), experimental method (manipulating variables to determine cause-effect relationships), correlational studies (examining relationships between variables), survey method (using questionnaires, interviews), psychological testing, and case studies. The chapter highlights the importance of reliability, validity, and ethical considerations in psychological research. Understanding these methods is crucial for evaluating psychological findings and conducting empirical investigations into human behaviour and mental processes.
3. The Bases Of Human Behaviour
This chapter explores the biological and cultural foundations of **human behaviour**. It discusses the role of the nervous system, including the structure and function of the brain and neurons, in regulating behaviour and mental processes. The chapter also examines the influence of genetics (heredity) on behaviour and psychological traits. Furthermore, it highlights the impact of **culture** – shared beliefs, values, and norms – on shaping behaviour and cognition across different societies. Understanding these biological and socio-cultural bases provides a comprehensive perspective on the complex determinants of human behaviour.
4. Human Development
This chapter explores **human development**, the systematic study of changes in individuals throughout their lifespan, from conception to old age. It discusses different domains of development (physical, cognitive, social, emotional) and various stages of development (infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, old age). Key theories of development (e.g., Piaget's cognitive development, Erikson's psychosocial stages) are introduced. The chapter highlights the factors influencing development, such as heredity and environment, and discusses the challenges and milestones at different life stages, providing insight into the complex process of human growth and change over time.
5. Sensory, Attentional And Perceptual Processes
This chapter delves into how we receive, process, and interpret information from the world. It discusses **sensory processes**, involving sensory organs (eyes, ears, skin, etc.) detecting stimuli and converting them into neural signals. **Attentional processes** explain how we selectively focus on certain stimuli while filtering out others. **Perceptual processes** involve organizing and interpreting sensory information to create meaningful perceptions of the environment. Concepts like thresholds, sensory adaptation, principles of perception (e.g., Gestalt laws), and factors influencing attention and perception are explained, highlighting how our brains construct our experience of reality from sensory input.
6. Learning
This chapter explores **learning**, defined as a relatively permanent change in behaviour or knowledge resulting from experience. It discusses different types of learning. **Classical Conditioning** (learning through association, e.g., Pavlov's experiments) and **Operant Conditioning** (learning through consequences, e.g., reinforcement, punishment) are explained. Other forms like observational learning (learning by watching and imitating others) and cognitive learning (involving mental processes like understanding, reasoning) are also introduced. The chapter highlights factors influencing learning and its importance in acquiring skills, knowledge, and adapting to the environment throughout life.
7. Human Memory
This chapter focuses on **human memory**, the cognitive capacity to encode, store, and retrieve information. It discusses different models of memory (e.g., information processing model) and stages: **sensory memory** (brief storage), **short-term memory** (limited capacity, temporary storage), and **long-term memory** (large capacity, relatively permanent storage). Different types of long-term memory (episodic, semantic, procedural) and concepts related to memory processes like encoding strategies, retrieval cues, forgetting (theories like decay, interference), and memory improvement techniques are discussed, highlighting the complexities of how we remember and forget information.
8. Thinking
This chapter explores the complex cognitive process of **thinking**. It discusses different types of thinking, such as **problem-solving** (finding solutions to challenges), **decision-making** (choosing among alternatives), and creative thinking (generating novel ideas). Concepts like reasoning (drawing conclusions from information), concepts formation (categorizing information), and language's role in thinking are also covered. The chapter highlights different approaches to problem-solving (trial and error, algorithms, heuristics) and potential biases in thinking. Understanding thinking processes provides insight into how humans acquire knowledge, make judgments, and interact with their environment using their cognitive abilities.
9. Motivation And Emotion
This chapter delves into two fundamental psychological constructs: **motivation** (the driving forces behind behaviour) and **emotion** (subjective feelings accompanied by physiological and behavioral changes). It discusses different theories of motivation (e.g., drive reduction, incentive, arousal, Maslow's hierarchy of needs) and types of motives (biological, psychosocial). Various emotions (joy, anger, sadness, fear) and theories explaining their nature, expression, and physiological basis (e.g., James-Lange theory, Cannon-Bard theory) are explored. The chapter highlights the interplay between motivation and emotion and their influence on human behaviour, well-being, and adaptation.