NIOS Class 12 Psychology Chapter 1 Understanding Psychology

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NIOS Class 12 Psychology Chapter 1 Understanding Psychology

Also, you can read the NIOS book online in these sections Solutions by Expert Teachers as per National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) Book guidelines. These solutions are part of NIOS All Subject Solutions. Here we have given NIOS Class 12 Psychology Notes, NIOS Senior Secondary Course Psychology Solutions in English for All Chapter, You can practice these here.

Understanding Psychology

Chapter: 1

PART – I

Module – 1: Foundations of Psychology

Intext Questions 1.1

1. The study of Psychology includes knowing more about:

(a) Experiences.

(b) Behaviour.

(d) All of the above.

Ans: (d) All of the above.

2. Thinking, reasoning, concentration and attention are included in:

(a) Human memory.

(b) Human cognition.

(d) Human experiences.

Ans: (b) Human cognition.

Intext Questions 1.2

1. Psychology is a natural science because it:

(i) Is based on empirical, verifiable data.

(b) Studies aspects of Biology.

(d) Studies aspects of both Biology and Physics.

Ans: (a) Is based on empirical, verifiable data.

2. Psychology is also a Social Science because:

(a) It studies various cultures.

(b) It studies various aspects of geographical conditions influencing a culture.

(d) It is related very clearly to Sociology, Economics and Geography.

Ans: (c) It studies about human being in the social and cultural context, where it is difficult to gather data.

Intext Questions 1.3

1. Structuralism states_________ as an important method of knowing about a person.

(a) Free association.

(b) Introspection.

(d) Dream interpretation.

Ans: (b) Introspection.

2. The humanistic perspective emphasizes on a person’s need to:

(a) Enhance the understanding of self.

(b) Perceive objects as a whole.

(d) Able to learn through imitation.

Ans: (a) Enhance the understanding of self.

Intext Questions 1.4

1. Edward Titchener and others structuralists used __________ and observational methods to understand the various domains of human nature.

(a) Case study.

(b) Interview.

(d) Experimental.

Ans: (d) Experimental.

2. A successful doctor takes assistance from ___________ in treating patients suffering from chronic psychological disorders.

(a) Clinical and counselling psychologist.

(b) Organizational psychologist.

(d) Educational psychologist.

Ans: (a) Clinical and counselling psychologist.

Intext Questions 1.5

1. The ecological consequences of human actions can best be known by: _____________.

(a) Counselling Psychologist.

(b) Clinical Psychologist.

(d) Environmental Psychologist.

Ans: (d) Environmental Psychologist.

2. ____________ are able to help alleviate the ill effects of substance use and abuse. They also help in rehabilitation after de addiction programs.

(a) Social Psychologist.

(b) Developmental Psychologist.

(d) School Psychologist.

Ans: (c) Community Psychologist.

TERMINAL EXERCISES

1. What is the nature of Psychology as a discipline?

Ans: Psychology is defined as the scientific study of human experiences, behaviors, and mental processes like knowing, thinking, reasoning, and understanding. Its scientific nature involves observing, describing, controlling, predicting, and improving human behavior and emotions. Behavior can be observable (overt, like playing a sport) or covert (internal and not visible to others, like planning a move in a game of chess). Human experiences are highly subjective, personal, and are influenced by external factors such as climate, home, school, and cultural environments. Furthermore, psychology is a systematized body of knowledge with a scientific orientation, where observations and data collection are open to objective verification and analysis.

2. Is Psychology a Natural Science or a Social Science? State reasons for your answer.

Ans: Psychology is recognized as both a Natural Science and a Social Science.

As a Natural Science: It utilizes scientific methods and conducts controlled experiments based on tentative hypotheses. It gathers empirical and verifiable data through systematic observations and measurements. It also scientifically studies biological and physical processes of the body, such as the nervous system, brain, and hormonal influences.

As a Social Science: It studies human behavior and experiences within social and cultural contexts. It acknowledges how society and culture—the man-made part of our environment—influence child rearing, interpersonal relationships, parenting, and socialization practices across generations.

3. How is the behavioural perspective different from the structuralist and functionalist viewpoints.

Ans: These three perspectives differ in their focus and methodology:

Structuralism: This early school of thought, associated with Wilhelm Wundt, established that psychology is the study of the structure of the mind and consciousness. It relied on “introspection,” a method where subjects described their conscious experiences in detail.

Functionalism: Thinkers like William James, John Dewey, and James Angell proposed that psychology should focus on how behavior functions and what the mind does rather than examining its static components or structure.

Behavioural Perspective: Unlike structuralism and functionalism which dealt with conscious processes and mental states, behaviorism focused strictly on objective, observable, and measurable behavior and how it is influenced by the environment. It rejected introspection and focused on experimental methods to understand human nature.

4. ‘In India attempts are being made to integrate ancient Indian Psychology with modern Western Psychology’. Explain the statement with reference to development of Psychology in India.

Ans: Modern psychology in India was initially dominated by Western perspectives due to the colonial influence of the British. The formal study of the discipline began in 1916 when Harvard-educated psychologist Narendra Nath Sen Gupta established the first psychological laboratory in India at Calcutta University. Over time, Indian psychologists sought to develop indigenous cognitive theories, as seen in Jadunath Sinha’s books on Indian theories of perception and cognition in 1934. Currently, efforts are actively made to integrate this rich ancient Indian heritage with modern Western experimental psychology. For instance, Andhra University publishes the “Journal of Indian Psychology” and hosts the “Institute of Yoga and Consciousness” to scientifically explore yoga, meditation, and ancient cognitive frameworks.

5. Explain the evolution of Psychology from the late nineteenth century to the modern time.

Ans: The study of psychology officially emerged as an independent science from Philosophy about 150 years ago and progressed through several perspectives:

Structuralism (1879): Wilhelm Wundt established the first laboratory in Germany, analyzing consciousness through introspection.

Functionalism: Shifted focus from the structure of the mind to how mental processes and behaviors function to help individuals adapt.

Gestalt Perspective: Emphasized that perception is organized into wholesome, meaningful structures rather than just a collection of small components.

Psychodynamic Perspective: Sigmund Freud introduced psychoanalysis, focusing on unconscious motives, hypnosis, and dream interpretation.

Humanistic Perspective: Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow emphasized the sense of self, personal potential, and self-actualization.

Cognitive Perspective (Modern): Views the human mind as an information-processing system similar to a computer, where information is received, processed, stored, and retrieved. Constructivists also highlight how the mind actively constructs itself by exploring the world.

6. How does Music, Fine Arts, Dance and other Performing Arts influence our behaviour and cognition?

Ans: Performing and fine arts are powerful tools that positively influence human behavior and mental states. Research shows that music and ragas have healing properties, and musical rhythms exert a calming impact on individuals. Fine arts, drawing, and painting serve as creative outlets that help people vent out negative emotions. Psychologists widely use dance and theatre as active therapeutic mediums because they encourage self-understanding, identify hidden potential, and help people lead more fulfilling lives.

7. ‘The subject matter of Psychology is based on other disciplines and vice versa’. With reference to this statement, explain the relationship between the following:

(a) Psychology and Engineering.

Ans: Engineers design products, systems, and structures for human use. Understanding human cognition, sensory limits, and emotions allows engineers to make their products user-friendly and functionally effective. Planning infrastructure like roads, cities, railway stations, and airports relies heavily on understanding how people behave in these spaces.

(b) Psychology and Computer Science.

Ans: Computer science has provided psychologists with advanced research tools. In turn, psychology is critical for computer engineering in creating user-friendly software, Human-Computer Interaction Engineering (HCIE), and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Computer engineers design software and systems that mimic the human mind’s cognitive and information-processing abilities by relying on psychological models.

8. Enumerate the relevance of Psychology in various other disciplines that you study.

Ans: Psychology shares an active interdisciplinary relationship with several fields:

Sociology: Combines with sociology to form Social Psychology, helping us understand how collective behavior, group norms, and cultural factors shape individual attitudes.

Economics: Gives rise to “Behavioral Economics,” explaining decision-making, consumer choices, savings, and how humans allocate finite funds to meet infinite wants.

Political Science: Explains voter behavior, exercise of power, leadership traits, stereotypes, discrimination, conformity, and political ideologies.

Philosophy: shares fundamental concerns about the nature of the human mind and behavior.

Medicine: Both disciplines use scientific methods, recognizing that body and mind are inseparable for healthy healing. Successful medical treatment of chronic conditions like anxiety, paralytic stroke, or cancer often requires psychiatric or psychological support.

Law and Criminology: Integrates cognitive principles to understand suspect interviews, eyewitness memories, jury biases, rehabilitation, punishment, and parole decisions.

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