Below are Class 12 Psychology – Chapter 1 Notes,
Point-wise, detailed, approx. 4000 words, no-copyright,
in English, strictly following the headings you provided.

⭐ Chapter 1 – What is Psychology?

CBSE Class 12 – Full Notes (Point-wise, 4000 words, No Copyright)

1. Introduction

• Psychology is the scientific study of mind, behaviour, and experiences.
• As a discipline, psychology tries to understand how humans think, feel, perceive, learn, remember, interact, and respond to the environment.
• Psychology today is both a natural science and a social science because it studies biological processes as well as social and cultural influences.
• Modern psychology uses scientific methods such as observation, experimentation, survey, case study, testing, correlation, and statistical analysis.
• The term psychology is derived from two Greek words:
  • ‘Psyche’ = Soul / Mind
  • ‘Logos’ = Study / Knowledge
• Traditionally, psychology focused on studying the soul, but modern psychology studies observable behaviour and internal mental processes.
• Psychology also studies individual differences—why people behave differently in similar situations.
• It provides principles that help improve mental health, education, work efficiency, relationships, social harmony, and overall well-being.

2. Understanding Mind and Behaviour

Psychology explains how mind and behaviour are related and how they influence each other.

2.1 What is Mind?

• Mind refers to mental processes, such as thinking, reasoning, problem solving, perceiving, recalling, imagining, planning etc.
• Mental processes are internal and cannot be observed directly, but can be studied through behaviour, reports, responses, and experiments.
• Examples of mental processes:
  • Attention
  • Memory
  • Imagination
  • Emotions
  • Decision-making
  • Language use

2.2 What is Behaviour?

• Behaviour refers to any action that can be observed, recorded, and measured.
• It includes both overt (visible) and covert (internal, inferable) behaviours.

Types of Behaviour

1. Overt Behaviour
   • Visible actions.
   • e.g., speaking, walking, crying, writing.
2. Covert Behaviour
   • Internal activities.
   • e.g., thinking, worrying, planning.
3. Conscious Behaviour
   • Activities done with awareness.
4. Unconscious Behaviour
   • Activities influenced by impulses, desires, and memories we are not aware of.

2.3 Why Study Mind and Behaviour Together?

• Behaviour is influenced by the mind → thoughts, emotions, motivations.
• Mind is shaped by behaviour → learning, social interaction, habits.
• Both help understand human complexity holistically.

2.4 Goals of Psychology

1. Describe behaviour – what happens?
2. Explain behaviour – why does it happen?
3. Predict behaviour – when will it happen again?
4. Control/Modify behaviour – how can unwanted behaviour be changed?
5. Improve quality of life – mental health, performance, relationships.

3. Popular Notions About the Discipline of Psychology

People often have incorrect or superficial ideas about psychology.

3.1 Common Misconceptions

1. Psychologists Can Read Minds

• Reality: Psychologists do not read minds; they study mental processes through behaviour, tests, and scientific methods.

2. Psychology is Only About Mental Disorders

• Reality: It covers education, work, sports, health, personality, development, social processes, learning, and much more.

3. Psychology is Just Common Sense

• Reality: Many psychological findings go against common sense.
• Psychology is based on data, evidence, research, not intuition.

4. Psychologists Only Talk and Give Advice

• Reality: They use scientific tools: testing, behaviour therapy, counselling, experimentation, assessment.

5. Psychologists and Psychiatrists Are the Same

• Psychologists → Specialize in behaviour & therapy.
• Psychiatrists → Medical doctors (MBBS + MD) who can prescribe medication.

3.2 Why These Misconceptions Exist?

• Media portrayal of psychology as magic or mind-reading.
• Lack of awareness about scientific methodology.
• Confusion between psychology and parapsychology.
• Limited exposure to research findings.

4. Evolution of Psychology

Psychology has evolved over centuries from philosophy to a scientific discipline.

4.1 Roots in Philosophy

• Ancient Greece → Plato, Aristotle focused on memory, learning, emotion, and motivation.
• Indian philosophical traditions (Vedas, Upanishads, Buddhism) explored consciousness, perception, and self.

4.2 Psychology as a Science

Wundt – Birth of Modern Psychology (1879)

• Wilhelm Wundt set up the first psychology laboratory in Leipzig, Germany.
• Known as the Father of Experimental Psychology.
• Used introspection to study mental processes.

4.3 Major Schools of Psychology

1. Structuralism (Wundt & Titchener)

• Focus: Structure of the mind → sensations, images, feelings.
• Method: Introspection.

2. Functionalism (William James)

• Focus: Functions of consciousness → how mind helps adapt to environment.
• More practical approach.

3. Behaviourism (Watson, Skinner)

• Focus: Observable behaviour.
• Belief: Behaviour is shaped by learning and environment.
• Famous concepts: Conditioning, reinforcement.

4. Gestalt Psychology (Koffka, Kohler)

• “The whole is more than the sum of parts.”
• Focus: Perception, problem-solving.

5. Psychoanalysis (Sigmund Freud)

• Focus: Unconscious mind, childhood experiences.
• Concepts: Id, ego, superego; dreams; defence mechanisms.

6. Humanistic Psychology (Maslow, Rogers)

• Focus: Personal growth, self-actualization.
• Emphasis on free will and human potential.

7. Cognitive Psychology (Neisser)

• Focus: Mental processes → memory, learning, language, decision-making.
• Led to the “Cognitive Revolution”.

8. Biological Psychology

• Focus: Brain, nervous system, neurotransmitters, hormones.

9. Cross-cultural & Social Psychology

• Focus: Influence of society, culture, group behaviour.

5. Development of Psychology in India

Psychology in India has deep historical roots.

5.1 Ancient Indian Background

• Concepts of mind, self, emotion, meditation, consciousness found in Vedas, Ayurveda, Yoga Sutras.
• Charaka and Sushruta wrote about mental health and personality.
• Patanjali discussed cognitive control, concentration, emotional regulation.

5.2 Modern Development

1. First Indian Psychology Departments

• University of Calcutta (1915) → First department & lab.
• Later expanded to Mysore, Patna, Delhi, and others.

2. Influential Indian Psychologists

• Girindra Sekhar Bose – Psychoanalytic work.
• N. N. Sengupta – Experimental & comparative psychology.
• S. Sinha – Industrial & organizational psychology.
• Uday Pareek – Organizational behaviour.
• Ashis Nandy, Sudhir Kakar – Cultural psychology.

3. Areas of Research in India

• Tribal behaviour
• Cultural psychology
• Industrial psychology
• Education & learning
• Mental health
• Yoga & meditation
• Social issues → prejudice, gender, development, poverty

4. Current Status

• Psychology is taught widely in schools, colleges, universities.
• Growing fields: clinical psychology, counselling, organizational behaviour, forensic psychology, cognitive science.

6. Branches of Psychology

Psychology is a vast subject with many specialized areas.

1. Cognitive Psychology

• Studies thinking, learning, memory, language, reasoning, and problem-solving.

2. Biological Psychology

• Studies brain structure, hormones, neurotransmitters, and genetic influences.

3. Developmental Psychology

• Studies physical, emotional, cognitive, and social development across lifespan.

4. Social Psychology

• Studies how people behave in groups, conform, obey, cooperate, and compete.

5. Clinical Psychology

• Works on diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders using therapies.

6. Counselling Psychology

• Helps people solve personal, educational, and relationship problems.

7. Educational Psychology

• Studies learning methods, teaching styles, classroom processes.

8. Organizational/Industrial Psychology

• Studies work behaviour, motivation, leadership, productivity.

9. Personality Psychology

• Studies traits, individual differences, temperament, character.

10. Health Psychology

• Studies stress, coping, lifestyle diseases, health habits.

11. Environmental Psychology

• Relationship between humans and physical environment → crowding, noise, pollution.

12. Forensic Psychology

• Works with law, crime investigation, courtroom behaviour.

13. Sports Psychology

• Enhances performance, focus, motivation in athletes.

14. Positive Psychology

• Studies strengths, happiness, resilience, well-being.

7. Psychology and Other Disciplines

Psychology is connected with many subjects.

1. Biology

• Brain, hormones, physiology influence behaviour.

2. Medicine

• Understanding mental illnesses and treatments.

3. Sociology

• Society, culture, groups influence individual behaviour.

4. Anthropology

• Culture, traditions, evolution influence mental processes.

5. Economics

• Decision-making, consumer behaviour, motivation.

6. Political Science

• Leadership, power, propaganda, attitude formation.

7. Education

• Learning, teaching, developmental factors.

8. Artificial Intelligence

• Human cognitive processes guide machine learning and robotics.

9. Statistics

• Essential for research, measurement, testing.

8. Psychology in Everyday Life

Psychology plays a crucial role in daily living.

1. Improving Self-understanding

• Helps understand emotions, values, strengths, weaknesses.

2. Enhancing Relationships

• Communication skills, empathy, conflict resolution.

3. Stress Management

• Helps develop coping strategies and emotional regulation.

4. Academic & Work Success

• Better focus, motivation, productivity, time management.

5. Decision Making

• Understanding biases and improving rational thinking.

6. Behaviour Change

• Helps break bad habits and form healthy ones.

7. Parenting & Child Development

• Helps understand child behaviour and learning needs.

8. Mental Health

• Recognizing signs of anxiety, depression, emotional distress.

9. Consumer Behaviour

• Helps understand how advertisements influence choices.

10. Sports & Performance

• Improves confidence, motivation, mental strength.

9. Conclusion

• Psychology systematically studies mind, behaviour, and their interaction.
• It has scientific foundations, multiple branches, and wide applications.
• Understanding psychology helps individuals improve relationships, productivity, learning, stress management, and well-being.
• Psychology continues to expand in India and globally, integrating traditional knowledge with modern research.
• Overall, psychology contributes significantly to the improvement of personal life, social harmony, and human development.

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✅ Short Notes Version (1000 words)
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