CHAPTER 1 - WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGY

2 MARKER QUESTIONS (30 Words)

1. Define psychology.

Psychology is the scientific study of mental processes, experiences, and behaviour in

different contexts using methods of biological and social sciences. For example,
psychologists study examination stress and learning behaviour.

2. What are mental processes?

Mental processes are internal activities like thinking, remembering, learning, perceiving, and
problem-solving that help individuals understand and interact with the world. For example,
solving a maths problem involves mental processes.

3. What is behaviour?

Behaviour refers to responses, reactions, or activities of an individual. It can be overt

(observable) or covert (internal). For example, laughing is overt while thinking silently is
covert.

4. Differentiate between overt and covert behaviour.

Overt behaviour is visible and observable by others, while covert behaviour includes internal
mental activities like thinking and imagining. For example, crying is overt whereas
daydreaming is covert.

5. Why is psychology called a social science?

Psychology studies human behaviour in social and cultural contexts and explains how
society influences thoughts, emotions, and actions. For example, peer pressure affects
teenage behaviour.

6. What is introspection?

Introspection is a method in which individuals describe their own mental experiences and
feelings to study consciousness. For example, describing personal emotions during fear or
happiness.

7. What is structuralism?

Structuralism was introduced by Wilhelm Wundt and focused on analysing the structure of
the mind through introspection. For example, analysing sensations while tasting food.
8. State the main idea of functionalism.

Functionalism studied how the mind helps people adapt and function effectively in their
environment. For example, fear helps individuals escape danger.

9. What is behaviourism?

Behaviourism is an approach that studies observable behaviour and rejects the study of
mind and consciousness. For example, rewarding students to improve classroom behaviour.

10. What is Gestalt psychology?

Gestalt psychology states that perceptual experiences are organised wholes and not merely
sums of individual parts. For example, movies appear continuous despite separate images.

11. What is psychoanalysis?

Psychoanalysis, founded by Sigmund Freud, explains behaviour through unconscious

motives, desires, and conflicts. For example, childhood fears influencing adult behaviour.

12. Mention two features of humanistic psychology.

Humanistic psychology emphasises free will, personal growth, self-development, and

fulfilment of human potential. For example, striving to achieve personal goals and
self-confidence.

13. What is cognition?

Cognition refers to mental processes involved in knowing, understanding, remembering,

problem-solving, and decision-making. For example, memorising answers for an
examination involves cognition.

14. What is constructivism?

Constructivism states that individuals actively construct knowledge and understanding

through interaction with their environment. For example, children learning concepts through
activities and experiences.

15. Name any two branches of psychology.

Two branches of psychology are Cognitive Psychology and Developmental Psychology. For
example, cognitive psychology studies memory while developmental psychology studies
child development.

16. What is developmental psychology?

Developmental psychology studies physical, social, emotional, and psychological changes
across the life span. For example, language development in children is studied in this
branch.

17. What is social psychology?

Social psychology studies how people think about, influence, and relate to others in social
situations. For example, crowd behaviour during festivals is studied in social psychology.

18. What is clinical psychology?

Clinical psychology deals with the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of
psychological disorders. For example, treating depression and anxiety through counselling.

19. What is educational psychology?

Educational psychology studies learning processes and helps improve teaching methods
and educational practices. For example, using activity-based learning in classrooms.

20. Mention two applications of psychology in everyday life.

Psychology helps in stress management, improving learning, solving interpersonal problems,

counselling, and promoting mental health. For example, counselling students facing
examination anxiety.

21. What are experiences?

Experiences are subjective feelings and awareness of individuals that occur in different
situations. They cannot be directly observed by others. For example, feeling happiness after
success or sadness after failure is an experience.

3 MARKER QUESTIONS (60 words)

1. Explain psychology as a natural science.

Psychology as a natural science follows scientific methods to study behaviour. It uses

observation, experiments, and empirical data to establish cause-effect relationships. It aims
to predict and control behaviour objectively. For example, Dweck’s experiment showed
students exposed to success and failure performed better than those given only easy
problems.

2. Explain psychology as a social science.

Psychology is a social science because it studies human behaviour within social and cultural
contexts. Human actions are influenced by family, society, culture, and environment.
Psychologists examine social interactions and behaviour patterns. For example, helping
behaviour during floods differs across communities and cultures.

3. Differentiate between mind and brain.

The brain is a physical organ of the nervous system, while the mind refers to mental
processes like thinking and feeling. Brain activities influence mental processes, but the mind
has no physical structure. For example, memories and emotions belong to the mind while
brain cells belong to the brain.

4. Explain Dweck’s study on motivation.

Dweck found that students exposed to both success and failure performed better than
students given only easy tasks. Children who learned to handle failure developed
persistence and confidence. For example, students solving difficult maths problems became
more motivated through effort and practice.

5. Explain the importance of psychology in everyday life.

Psychology helps individuals understand behaviour, emotions, stress, relationships, and

learning. It improves communication, decision-making, mental health, and coping skills. For
example, counselling helps students reduce examination anxiety and improve confidence.

6. Explain functionalism.

Functionalism, proposed by William James, focused on how mental processes help

individuals adapt to their environment. Instead of studying consciousness structure,
functionalists studied behavioural functions. For example, emotions like fear help people
respond quickly to danger.

7. Explain the cognitive approach.

The cognitive approach studies mental processes such as thinking, memory, perception,
reasoning, and problem-solving. It views humans as active information processors. For
example, recalling answers during an examination involves memory and reasoning
processes.

8. Explain the contribution of Freud.

Sigmund Freud developed psychoanalysis, which explained behaviour through unconscious

desires and conflicts. He believed childhood experiences strongly influence personality. For
example, childhood fears may later develop into anxiety problems in adulthood.

9. Explain the development of psychology in India.

Modern psychology in India began at Calcutta University in 1915 with experimental
psychology. Indian psychology later focused on social relevance and indigenous
approaches. For example, psychologists studied Indian social and cultural behaviour
patterns.

10. Explain the relationship between psychology and medicine.

Psychology and medicine work together in understanding health and illness. Psychologists
help patients manage stress, emotions, and unhealthy habits. For example, counselling
cancer patients improves emotional adjustment and recovery.

4 MARKER QUESTIONS (120 words)

1. Define psychology and explain its subject matter.

Psychology is the scientific study of mental processes, experiences, and behaviour. It

studies how individuals think, feel, learn, remember, and behave in different situations.
Mental processes include thinking, learning, perception, and memory. Experiences are
subjective feelings and awareness of individuals. Behaviour refers to actions and reactions
that may be observable or internal.

Psychology studies behaviour scientifically using observation, experiments, and research

methods. It explains both individual and social behaviour. Psychology also studies how
biological, social, and cultural factors influence behaviour. For example, psychologists study
stress, aggression, memory, learning, and emotions. As a discipline, psychology helps in
understanding human nature and solving personal, social, educational, and organisational
problems.

2. Explain the major schools of psychology.

Structuralism, founded by Wilhelm Wundt, studied consciousness through introspection. For

example, analysing sensations while listening to music. Functionalism, proposed by William
James, studied how behaviour helps adaptation. Behaviourism, led by Watson and Skinner,
focused on observable behaviour such as rewards improving learning.

Gestalt psychology explained that experiences are organised wholes. For example, movies
appear continuous despite separate images. Freud’s psychoanalysis explained behaviour
through unconscious conflicts. Humanistic psychology stressed self-growth and free will.
Cognitive psychology studies thinking, memory, and problem-solving. For example, solving
puzzles involves cognition. These schools contributed differently to understanding human
behaviour and mental processes.

3. Explain the branches of psychology.

Psychology has many specialised branches. Cognitive psychology studies mental processes
like memory and thinking. For example, remembering answers in exams. Biological
psychology studies the relationship between behaviour and the nervous system.
Developmental psychology studies changes across the life span, such as language
development in children.

Social psychology studies social behaviour and group influence. Clinical psychology deals
with psychological disorders like depression. Educational psychology improves teaching and
learning methods. Industrial psychology studies workplace behaviour and employee
efficiency. Sports psychology improves sports performance through motivation techniques.
These branches apply psychology in education, health, industries, counselling, sports, and
everyday life.

4. Explain psychology in everyday life.

Psychology is useful in solving personal, educational, social, and emotional problems. It

helps individuals understand themselves and others better. Psychological principles improve
learning, memory, communication, and decision-making. Psychology also helps reduce
stress and manage emotions effectively.

Counsellors and therapists use psychology to solve family conflicts, behavioural problems,
and mental health issues. For example, counselling helps students cope with examination
stress. In schools, industries, hospitals, sports, and organisations, psychology improves
performance and well-being. Sports psychologists improve athletes’ confidence and
motivation. Psychology also helps address social problems like prejudice, violence,
terrorism, and environmental degradation. Thus, psychology contributes greatly to personal
growth and social welfare.

6 MARKER QUESTIONS (200 words)

1. Explain the evolution of psychology.

Psychology developed from philosophy and became a scientific discipline in 1879 when
Wilhelm Wundt established the first psychology laboratory in Leipzig, Germany. Wundt
introduced structuralism, which studied consciousness through introspection. For example,
individuals described sensations experienced while observing objects.

William James developed functionalism, which focused on how mental processes help
adaptation. Gestalt psychology later emphasised that experiences are organised wholes. For
example, movies appear as continuous movement despite separate images.

Behaviourism, introduced by John Watson and developed by Skinner, focused only on

observable behaviour. For example, rewards were used to improve learning behaviour.
Sigmund Freud developed psychoanalysis and explained behaviour through unconscious
conflicts and childhood experiences.

Humanistic psychology, represented by Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow, focused on

self-growth and human potential. Cognitive psychology later emerged and studied mental
processes such as memory, perception, reasoning, and problem-solving.
Modern psychology uses biological, cognitive, social, and cultural approaches to understand
behaviour. It is now applied in counselling, education, sports, organisations, and healthcare.

2. Explain psychology as a natural science and social science.

Psychology is both a natural science and a social science. As a natural science, psychology
uses scientific methods such as observation, experimentation, measurement, and
hypothesis testing to study behaviour objectively. It aims to establish cause-effect
relationships and predict behaviour. For example, psychologists conduct experiments to
study memory, learning, and attention.

Biological psychology and neuroscience especially reflect psychology’s natural science

aspect through brain studies and nervous system research.

Psychology is also a social science because behaviour is influenced by society and culture.
People behave differently depending on family, social groups, and cultural background.
Psychology studies social interactions, attitudes, prejudice, aggression, and group
behaviour. For example, helping behaviour during disasters differs across societies.

Psychology recognises that human behaviour cannot be explained only through biological
factors because social experiences shape personality and actions. Thus, psychology
combines scientific methods with the study of social and cultural influences to understand
behaviour completely.

5. Explain the major branches of psychology in detail.

Psychology has developed into many specialised branches to study different aspects of
behaviour and mental processes. Cognitive psychology studies mental activities such as
thinking, memory, perception, reasoning, and problem-solving. For example, remembering
answers during examinations is studied under cognitive psychology.

Biological psychology examines the relationship between behaviour and biological systems
like the brain and nervous system. Developmental psychology studies physical, emotional,
and social changes across the lifespan, such as language development in children.

Social psychology studies how people influence and interact with others. For example, peer
pressure among teenagers is studied in social psychology. Clinical psychology deals with
psychological disorders such as anxiety and depression through therapies and counselling.

Educational psychology focuses on learning processes and improving teaching methods.

Industrial or organisational psychology studies workplace behaviour, employee motivation,
and productivity. Sports psychology applies psychological principles to improve athletic
performance and confidence.

These branches show that psychology is useful in education, health, sports, industries,
counselling, and everyday life.

6. Explain the importance of psychology in everyday life.

Psychology plays an important role in understanding and improving daily life. It helps
individuals understand their emotions, behaviour, attitudes, and relationships. Psychological
principles improve learning habits, memory, communication, and decision-making. For
example, students use psychological methods to reduce examination stress and improve
concentration.

Psychology is also useful in solving family and social problems. Counsellors help individuals
manage anxiety, depression, conflicts, and emotional stress. In schools, educational
psychologists improve teaching methods and learning environments. In hospitals,
psychologists help patients cope with illness and emotional problems.

Psychology also contributes to workplaces by improving employee motivation, teamwork,

and productivity. Sports psychologists help athletes build confidence and manage pressure
during competitions.

At the social level, psychology helps understand problems like violence, prejudice, terrorism,
aggression, and environmental degradation. Thus, psychology improves personal
adjustment, mental health, social relationships, and overall quality of life.

7. Explain the cognitive approach in psychology.

The cognitive approach focuses on mental processes involved in acquiring and using
knowledge. It studies thinking, memory, attention, reasoning, perception, problem-solving,
and language. Cognitive psychologists believe that humans actively process information
received from the environment.

According to this approach, the human mind works like an information-processing system
similar to a computer. Information is received, processed, stored, and retrieved when
needed. For example, while solving a mathematics problem, students use attention,
reasoning, and memory together.

The cognitive approach developed after dissatisfaction with behaviourism, which ignored
mental processes. Cognitive psychologists argued that understanding behaviour requires
studying internal mental activities. Jean Piaget explained how children actively construct
knowledge through interaction with the environment. Vygotsky further stated that cognitive
development occurs through social and cultural interactions.

Modern cognitive psychology has applications in education, artificial intelligence,

counselling, and neuroscience. It helps improve teaching methods, memory techniques, and
problem-solving abilities.

8. Explain Freud’s psychoanalytic theory.

Sigmund Freud developed psychoanalysis to explain human behaviour through unconscious

motives and conflicts. According to Freud, much of human behaviour is influenced by
unconscious desires, fears, and childhood experiences.
Freud believed that the mind has three parts — id, ego, and superego. The id seeks
immediate pleasure, the ego works according to reality, and the superego represents moral
values. Conflicts among these parts create anxiety and psychological problems.

Freud emphasised the importance of early childhood experiences in personality

development. He believed unresolved childhood conflicts may influence adult behaviour. For
example, fear or insecurity during childhood may later develop into anxiety or emotional
problems.

Psychoanalysis also introduced methods like dream analysis and free association to
understand unconscious thoughts. Freud’s ideas greatly influenced psychology, personality
theory, counselling, and psychotherapy.

Although many of his ideas are criticised for lacking scientific evidence, psychoanalysis
remains important because it highlighted the role of unconscious processes in human
behaviour.

9. Explain the humanistic approach in psychology.

The humanistic approach developed as a reaction against behaviourism and

psychoanalysis. Humanistic psychologists believed that human beings are naturally good
and possess free will, creativity, and the desire for personal growth.

Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow were major humanistic psychologists. Rogers
emphasised self-concept and unconditional positive regard in personality development.
Maslow proposed the hierarchy of needs and stated that people strive towards
self-actualisation, which means achieving their full potential.

Humanistic psychology focuses on personal experiences, emotions, self-awareness, and

individual growth. For example, a student working hard to achieve career goals reflects
self-development and self-actualisation.

Unlike behaviourism, which viewed humans mechanically, humanistic psychology

emphasised human dignity, freedom, and positive qualities. It believes that people can
consciously make choices and improve themselves.

The humanistic approach is widely used in counselling, education, and therapy because it
promotes self-confidence, emotional well-being, and personal growth.

10. Explain the relationship between psychology and other disciplines.

Psychology is closely related to many disciplines because human behaviour is complex.

Psychology shares a strong relationship with philosophy, which influenced early ideas about
mind, consciousness, and knowledge. It is related to biology and medicine through the study
of the brain, nervous system, emotions, and mental disorders.

Psychology contributes to sociology and political science by explaining social behaviour,

leadership, prejudice, aggression, and voting behaviour. In economics, psychology helps
understand consumer behaviour and decision-making. For example, advertisements use
psychological principles to influence buying behaviour.

Psychology is also linked with computer science in artificial intelligence and

human-computer interaction. In education, psychological principles improve teaching
methods and learning processes. Law and criminology use psychology to study criminal
behaviour and eyewitness testimony.

Mass communication studies media influence on attitudes and emotions using psychology.
Psychology is also connected with music, fine arts, architecture, and engineering.

Thus, psychology works with many disciplines to better understand human behaviour and
improve human welfare.