🧠 Class 11 Psychology: Chapter 1 – What is Psychology?

🧠 Class 11 Psychology Chapter 1 – What is Psychology
🧠 Class 11 Psychology: Chapter 1 – What is Psychology?
📚 Compiled by GrandMaster Bikram Sutradhar
🎓 5-Time World Record Holder | Best Teacher Awardee 2023
🌐 SirBikramSutradhar | bAstronautWay
❓ Question 1: What is Behaviour? Give examples of overt and covert behaviour.
✅ Answer:
Behaviour refers to any response or activity of an organism that can be measured, observed, or recorded.
🔹 Overt Behaviour (👀 Visible):
Observable actions that can be seen directly.
👉 Example: A person running to catch a train.
🔹 Covert Behaviour (🧠 Hidden):
Internal mental processes that cannot be observed directly but are inferred.
👉 Example: Thinking, remembering, or problem-solving.
❓ Question 2: How is Scientific Psychology different from popular notions about Psychology?
✅ Answer:
🔍 Scientific Psychology is evidence-based and relies on empirical methods, while popular beliefs are based on common sense or intuition.
🔹 Common sense explains behaviour after it happens.
🔹 Scientific psychology aims to predict and understand behaviour before it happens.
🧪 Example:
Psychologist Carol Dweck’s study showed that students who were exposed to both success and failure were better problem-solvers than those who only solved easy problems.
⚠️ Common sense failed here: Giving only easy problems reduced their ability to handle challenges.

❓ Question 3: Briefly describe the evolution of Psychology.
✅ Answer:
Psychology evolved from philosophy to a scientific discipline, passing through several stages:
1️⃣ Structuralism – Wundt
🔹 Studied the structure of the mind through introspection.
🔹 Focused on conscious experiences.
2️⃣ Functionalism – William James
🔹 Emphasised the function of the mind and how it helps adapt to environment.
🔹 Consciousness is a continuous flow, not breakable into parts.
3️⃣ Behaviourism – John B. Watson
🔹 Psychology = Study of observable behaviour (S → R).
🔹 Ignored unobservable mental states.
🔹 Inspired by Pavlov’s conditioning.
4️⃣ Gestalt Psychology – Wertheimer, Koffka, Köhler
🔹 Studied perception as a meaningful whole.
🔹 🪑 Example: We see a table, not its parts (legs, surface).
5️⃣ Psychoanalysis – Sigmund Freud
🔹 Focused on the unconscious mind, desires, and conflicts.
🔹 Used psychoanalysis to treat mental illness.
6️⃣ Humanistic Psychology – Maslow & Rogers
🔹 Emphasised free will, self-growth, and potential.
🔹 🌱 People strive for self-actualization.
7️⃣ Cognitive Psychology / Constructivism – Piaget, Vygotsky
🔹 Focused on mental processes like thinking, perception, memory, problem-solving.
🔹 Compared human mind to a computer processing information.
❓ Question 4: What problems can be solved by collaborating psychology with other disciplines?
✅ Answer:
Psychology intersects with multiple fields to solve human-related issues.
🔍 Examples:
1️⃣ Brain & Behaviour
→ Collaboration with: Neurology, Biology, Medicine, Computer Science
→ Purpose: Understand mental health, memory, and learning.
2️⃣ Social Behaviour & Development
→ Collaboration with: Sociology, Anthropology, Economics, Political Science
→ Purpose: Study values, culture, identity, and attitudes.
❓ Question 5: Differentiate between:
(a) A Psychologist and a Psychiatrist
Category | Psychologist 🧠 | Psychiatrist 💊 |
Qualification | Degree in Psychology | Medical Doctor (MBBS + Psychiatry) |
Role | Studies human behaviour & therapy | Treats mental disorders with medicine |
Prescribe Drugs | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
(b) A Counsellor and a Clinical Psychologist
Category | Counsellor 👥 | Clinical Psychologist 🧪 |
Role | Provides advice & guidance | Diagnoses & treats mental issues |
Qualifications | Trained in guidance/counselling | Postgraduate in Psychology |
Tools Used | Talk therapy, motivation | Psychological testing, therapy |
❓ Question 6: How is psychology useful in everyday life?
✅ Answer:
Psychology helps us:
🔹 Understand ourselves better.
🔹 Build positive relationships.
🔹 Solve emotional and behavioural problems.
🔹 Develop a positive attitude towards life.
🔹 Handle stress, fear, anxiety effectively.
🔹 Make better career, social, and family decisions.
❓ Question 7: How does Environmental Psychology help in promoting eco-friendly behaviour?
✅ Answer:
🌿 Environmental Psychology studies the relation between human behaviour and the environment.
Uses:
🔹 Teaches us to modify harmful behaviours.
🔹 Promotes awareness about issues like pollution, population explosion, climate change.
🔹 Helps prevent disasters by encouraging sustainable practices.
👉 Example: If we understand the effects of overpopulation, we can adopt family planning and resource conservation.
❓ Question 8: Which branch of psychology helps solve social problems like crime?
✅ Answer:
🔍 Social Psychology is best for understanding crime, prejudice, aggression, and social influences.
Focus Areas:
🔹 Attitudes & Beliefs
🔹 Conformity & Obedience
🔹 Social Pressure & Group Behaviour
🔹 Law & Criminology
👨⚖️ Knowledge of psychology helps lawyers, judges, and police to understand:
👉 How accurate is a witness memory?
👉 Why people commit crimes?
👉 What influences violent behaviour?
📝 Summary: Key Learnings at a Glance
Topic | Highlight |
Behaviour | Observable (overt) vs mental (covert) |
Psychology vs Commonsense | Psychology is evidence-based |
Evolution | From Structuralism to Cognitive Psychology |
Interdisciplinary Role | Links with medicine, sociology, law |
Psychologist vs Psychiatrist | Therapy vs Medical treatment |
Daily Life Utility | Solves real-world problems |
Environment Psychology | Encourages eco-friendly behaviour |
Social Psychology | Solves crime and group issues |
🎓 GrandMaster Tip:
“Psychology is not just a subject, it is a mirror of the mind. Master it not only to score well, but to live well.”
— Sir Bikram Sutradhar
📚 For more updates and resources:
🌐 www.sirbikramsutradhar.com
🧠 #PsychologyBySirBikram
📖 #Class11Psychology #CBSE2025 #ExamReady

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Full Stack Developer and 5-Time World Record Holder, Grandmaster Bikram Sutradhar
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Written By
Full Stack Developer and 5-Time World Record Holder, Grandmaster Bikram Sutradhar
bAstronautWay
SirBikramSutradhar on YouTube
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ICSE CLASS 10 ICSE CLASS 10 BIOLOGY BASTRONAUTWAY SirBikramSutradhar Bikram Sutradhar GrandMaster Bikram Sutradhar selina biology solutions ICSE Biology Selina Solution
📚 Class 9 Science – Complete Table of Contents (विषय-सूची)
CBSE | NCERT Curriculum | Bilingual (English + Hindi)
By Grandmaster Bikram Sutradhar | SirBikramSutradhar | BASTRONAUTWAY
🔬 PHYSICS (भौतिक विज्ञान)
🔢 | Chapter Title (English) | अध्याय का नाम (हिंदी) | Page No. |
1️⃣ | Motion | गति | |
2️⃣ | Force and Laws of Motion | बल तथा गति के नियम | |
3️⃣ | Gravitation | गुरुत्वाकर्षण | |
4️⃣ | Work and Energy | कार्य तथा ऊर्जा | |
5️⃣ | Sound | ध्वनि |
🧪 CHEMISTRY (रसायन विज्ञान)
🔢 | Chapter Title (English) | अध्याय का नाम (हिंदी) | Page No. |
1️⃣ | Matter in Our Surroundings | हमारे आस-पास के पदार्थ | |
2️⃣ | Is Matter Around Us Pure? | क्या हमारे आस-पास के पदार्थ शुद्ध हैं? | |
3️⃣ | Atoms and Molecules | परमाणु एवं अणु | |
4️⃣ | Structure of the Atom | परमाणु की संरचना |
🧬 BIOLOGY (जीव विज्ञान)
🔢 | Chapter Title (English) | अध्याय का नाम (हिंदी) | Page No. |
1️⃣ | The Fundamental Unit of Life | जीवन की मौलिक इकाई | |
2️⃣ | Tissues | ऊतक | |
3️⃣ | Improvement in Food Resources | धनों में सुधार |
📘 ADDITIONAL SECTIONS (अतिरिक्त अनुभाग)
📖 Section | Title (English + Hindi) |
🔹 | Glossary / पारिभाषिक शब्दावली |
🔹 | Answer Keys / उत्तरमाला |
🔹 | Summary / सारांश |
🔹 | Important Diagrams / महत्वपूर्ण चित्र |
🔹 | NCERT Exercises / एनसीईआरटी अभ्यास |
🔹 | Sample Papers & MCQs / मॉडल पेपर व वस्तुनिष्ठ प्रश्न |
✅ All content follows the official NCERT Class 9 Science textbook structure. Each chapter will include explanations, bilingual notes, definitions, diagrams, MCQs, FAQs, and practice exercises under the BASTRONAUTWAY learning system.
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CBSE Class 10 Mathematics (2025) NCERT Syllabus:
CBSE Class 10 Mathematics NCERT Syllabus (2025) – Chapter-Wise List
CBSE Class 10 Mathematics NCERT Syllabus (2025) – Chapter-Wise List
chapter 4. Quadratic Equations
chapter 5. Arithmetic Progressions
chapter 6. Triangles
chapter 7. Coordinate Geometry
chapter 8. Introduction to Trigonometry
chapter 9. Some Applications of Trigonometry
chapter 11. Areas Related to Circles
chapter 12. Surface Areas and Volumes
CBSE Class 10 Science (2025) NCERT Syllabus:
CBSE Class 10 Science NCERT Syllabus (2025) – Chapter-Wise List
CBSE Class 10 Science NCERT Syllabus (2025) – Chapter-Wise List
Chapter 1 Chemical Reactions and Equations
Chapter 2 Acids, Bases and Salts
Chapter 3 Metals and Non-metals
Chapter 4 Carbon and its Compounds
Chapter 5 Life Processes
Chapter 6 Control and Coordination
Chapter 7 How do Organisms Reproduce?
Chapter 8 Heredity
Chapter 9 Light – Reflection and Refraction
Chapter 10 The Human Eye and the Colourful World
Chapter 11 Electricity
Chapter 12 Magnetic Effects of Electric Current
Chapter 13 Our Environment
📖 Chapter 12 – Organic Chemistry (Selina Textbook)
Table of Contents:
- 12A. Organic Compounds
- 12B. Hydrocarbons: Alkanes
- 12C. Hydrocarbons: Alkenes
- 12D. Hydrocarbons: Alkynes
- 12E. Alcohols
- 12F. Carboxylic Acids
- Exercise 12 MISCELLANEOUS
- Glossary
- Model Question Paper –
📌 Exercise 12 MISCELLANEOUS – Focus Areas:
- 🧬 Consolidated practice from the entire Organic Chemistry chapter
- 🧪 Application-based questions covering alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, alcohols, and carboxylic acids
- 🧾 Writing structural formulas and chemical equations
- 💡 Distinguishing reactions, isomer identification, and conversions
- 📘 Full-syllabus revision to boost conceptual clarity and board exam readiness
Each question in this section is designed to:
- ✅ Strengthen cross-topic understanding
- 📝 Prepare students for application-based and reasoning-based questions
- 🧠 Improve problem-solving speed and exam performance
class 5
📚 Class 9 Science – Complete Table of Contents (विषय-सूची)
CBSE | NCERT Curriculum | Bilingual (English + Hindi)
By Grandmaster Bikram Sutradhar | SirBikramSutradhar | BASTRONAUTWAY
🔬 PHYSICS (भौतिक विज्ञान)
🔢 | Chapter Title (English) | अध्याय का नाम (हिंदी) | Page No. |
1️⃣ | Motion | गति | |
2️⃣ | Force and Laws of Motion | बल तथा गति के नियम | |
3️⃣ | Gravitation | गुरुत्वाकर्षण | |
4️⃣ | Work and Energy | कार्य तथा ऊर्जा | |
5️⃣ | Sound | ध्वनि |
🧪 CHEMISTRY (रसायन विज्ञान)
🔢 | Chapter Title (English) | अध्याय का नाम (हिंदी) | Page No. |
1️⃣ | Matter in Our Surroundings | हमारे आस-पास के पदार्थ | |
2️⃣ | Is Matter Around Us Pure? | क्या हमारे आस-पास के पदार्थ शुद्ध हैं? |