Psychology Class 11 CBSE Syllabus

One of the popular subjects, Psychology is all about how a human being thinks, react, act, and interact. Mainly, it is a study of the behaviour of human beings, and the thoughts and emotions that influence behaviour. Studying psychology helps the students to understand themselves and other people and helps in developing sound analytical skills through the application of the scientific method. It also helps students in comprehending the combined working of mind and body. This blog will provide in-depth information on syllabus and exam pattern for the Psychology Class 11.

Want a FREE Career Counselling Session? Register Here!

Exam Pattern for Psychology Class 11

The total weightage of Psychology Class 12 is of 100 Marks (Theory 70 + Practical Work 30)

Psychology Class 11 Syllabus

The syllabus of Psychology Class 11, enables students to understand the basics of psychology concepts and practices. Here are the chapters covered under the class 11 NCERT textbook:

Also Read: Career in Psychology

Important Chapters

While all the units are equally important for psychology students, some chapters are more important in terms of examination than others. Given below are the description of such Psychology Class 11 chapters:

Unit I: What is Psychology?

The topics covered under class 11 syllabus consists of Introduction of Psychology, What is Psychology?, Understanding Mind and Behaviour, Popular Notions about the Discipline of Psychology, Evolution of Psychology, Development of Psychology in India, Branches of Psychology, Themes of Research and Applications, Psychology and Other Disciplines, Psychologists at Work, and Psychology in Everyday Life.

Unit II: Methods of Enquiry in Psychology 

Under the unit ‘Methods of Enquiry in Psychology’ of Psychology Class 11, student study Introduction of Methods of Enquiry in Psychology, Goals of Psychological Enquiry, Nature of Psychological Data, Some Important Methods in Psychology (Observational Method, Experimental Method, Correlational Research, Survey Research, Psychological Testing, Case Study), Analysis of Data, Limitations of Psychological Enquiry, and Ethical Issues.

Unit III: The Bases of Human Behaviour

List of topics covered under this head of psychology Class 11 syllabus are Introduction of the bases of Human Behaviour, Evolutionary Perspective, Biological and Cultural Roots, Biological Basis of Behaviour, Structure and Functions of Nervous System and Endocrine System and their Relationship with Behaviour and Experience, Heredity: Genes and Behaviour, Cultural Basis: Socio-Cultural Shaping of Behaviour, Enculturation, Socialization, and Acculturation.

Unit IV: Human Development 

Overview of Developmental Stages: Prenatal Stage, Infancy, Childhood, Introduction of Human Development, Meaning of Development, Factors Influencing Development, Challenges of Adolescence, Context of Development, and Adulthood and Old Age are the topics covered under this chapter of psychology Class 11.

Unit V: Sensory, Attentional and Perceptual Processes 

Topics covered under this unit of psychology Class 11 are Introduction of Sensory, Attentional and Perceptual processes, Knowing the world, Nature and varieties of Stimulus, Sense Modalities, Attentional Processes, Perceptual Processes, The Perceiver, Principles of Perceptual Organisation, Perception of Space, Depth and Distance, Perceptual Constancies, Illusions, and Socio-Cultural Influences on Perception.

Unit VI: Learning 

This chapter of psychology Class 11 includes Paradigms of Learning, Classical Conditioning, Observational Learning, Cognitive Learning, Operant/Instrumental Conditioning, Verbal Learning, Concept Learning, Skill Learning, Transfer of Learning,  Introduction on Learning, Nature of Learning, Factors Facilitating Learning, The Learner: Learning Styles, Learning Disabilities, and Applications of Learning Principles.

Unit VII: Human Memory 

This unit of psychology Class 11 covers topics- Introduction on Human Memory, Nature of memory, Information Processing Approach: The Stage Model, Memory Systems: Sensory, Short-term and Long Term Memories, Levels of Processing, Types of Long-term Memory, Knowledge Representation and Organisation in Memory, Memory as a Constructive Process, Nature and Causes of Forgetting, and Enhancing Memory.

Unit VIII: Thinking

Introduction: Thinking, Nature of Thinking, The Processes of Thinking, Problem Solving, Reasoning, Decision-making, Nature and Process of Creative Thinking, Developing Creative Thinking, Thought and Language, and Development of Language and Language Use are the topics which are the part of unit ‘Thinking’ of psychology Class 11.

Unit IX: Motivation and Emotion

Topics covered under this section of psychology Class 11 are Introduction of Motivation and Emotion, Nature of Motivation, Types of Motives, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, Nature of Emotions, Physiological Bases of Emotions, Cognitive Bases of Emotions, Cultural Bases of Emotions, Expression of Emotions, Managing Negative Emotions, and Enhancing Positive Emotions.

Reference Books 

Apart from NCERT textbooks, candidates can refer to the following reference books in order to have a better understanding of psychology class 11 syllabus:  

Hope the blog has helped in providing in-depth detail on Psychology Class 11 Syllabus. If you are having trouble in deciding what to do after completing school and finding the best career option seems impossible, let Leverage Edu help. Get in touch with our experts and know about a perfect career pathway for you!