Maharashtra Board Class 11 Psychology Chapter 5 Healthy Me Normal Me Solutions

Healthy Me – Normal Me Class 11 Psychology Chapter 5 Questions and Answers

1A. Complete the Following Statements.

 

Question 1. One of the criteria of well-adjusted behaviour is ___________
(a) intelligence
(b) openness to new experience
(c) success
(d) artistic ability
Answer: (b) openness to new experience
In simple words: A well-adjusted person is flexible and willing to try new things, which helps them adapt to different situations easily.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that adjustment is about adaptability, so traits like openness to new experiences are key indicators of well-adjusted behavior.

 

Question 2. According to the humanistic perspective, every individual strives for ___________
(a) absence of problems
(b) absence of mental disorder
(c) enjoyment in life
(d) development of one’s abilities to the fullest
Answer: (d) development of one’s abilities to the fullest
In simple words: Humanistic psychology believes that everyone has a natural desire to grow, learn, and reach their highest potential.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that humanistic psychology is always centered on self-actualization and achieving one's full potential.

 

Question 3. According to ___________ perspective, one of the causes of abnormality is ‘genetic predisposition’.
(a) behavioural
(b) biological
(c) sociocultural
(d) cognitive
Answer: (b) biological
In simple words: The biological perspective looks at how our physical body, like our genes and brain chemistry, influences our mental health.

🎯 Exam Tip: Associate terms like 'genetic', 'neurotransmitters', and 'brain structure' directly with the biological perspective.

 

Question 4. ___________ face the identity crisis.
(a) Children
(b) Adolescents
(c) Young adults
(d) Old people
Answer: (b) Adolescents
In simple words: Teenagers often go through a phase where they try to figure out who they are and what their role in society is.

🎯 Exam Tip: Erik Erikson's developmental stages link 'identity crisis' specifically to the adolescent stage of life.

 

1B. State Whether the Following Statements Are True or False and Justify Your Answer with Reason.

 

Question 1. Sucheta has an IQ that falls into the category of genius which is rare to find.
Answer: This statement is True. An IQ score of 140 or above is classified under the genius category, which is highly uncommon and represents less than 2% of the general population.
In simple words: Having a genius-level IQ is very rare because only a very small number of people in the world score that high on intelligence tests.

🎯 Exam Tip: When justifying True/False statements, always state 'True' or 'False' clearly first, followed by a scientific or logical reason.

Question 1. ‘Genius’ is statistical deviance. Therefore, she is abnormal.
Answer: False. Although Sucheta’s IQ is statistically deviant, she does not exhibit other criteria of being abnormal such as personal distress and impaired functioning. Hence, she can’t be considered as being abnormal. Statistical abnormality alone does not define psychological abnormality.
In simple words: Just because someone is extremely smart (a genius) and different from the average person, it does not mean they are mentally unwell or abnormal.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that statistical deviance is only one criterion of abnormality; personal distress and impaired functioning must also be considered to make a diagnosis.

 

Question 2. It is very rare to find a person possessing all the criteria of a well-adjusted person.
Answer: True. A well-adjusted person has 5 main criteria. Some people may show some criteria while others may be high on some other criteria. Healthy adjustment is a continuous process of balancing these different aspects of life.
In simple words: It is hard to find someone who is perfect in every way of handling life. Most people are good at some things but struggle with others.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight that adjustment is a dynamic spectrum rather than an all-or-nothing state when explaining this concept.

 

Question 3. Over-expectation from the parents can lead to a lack of self-confidence.
Answer: True. If parents expect their child to do more than what he/she is capable of, they are pushing their child too hard. It will lead to anxiety, underperformance, and consequently, low self-confidence. Unrealistic pressure often makes children feel like they are never good enough.
In simple words: When parents expect too much, children feel stressed and start doubting their own abilities, which lowers their self-confidence.

🎯 Exam Tip: Use keywords like "anxiety", "underperformance", and "unrealistic expectations" to secure full marks in adjustment-related questions.

 

Question 4. A well-adjusted individual does not encounter failure at all.
Answer: False. A well-adjusted individual will encounter failure. But he knows that success or failure is temporary. He understands that hard work and consistency is important in the long run. Resilience in the face of setbacks is a key characteristic of healthy adjustment.
In simple words: Well-adjusted people still fail sometimes, but they don't give up because they know failure is just a temporary setback.

🎯 Exam Tip: Emphasize that adjustment is about how one copes with failure, not about avoiding failure altogether.

 

Question 5. Abnormality is always hereditary.
Answer: False. Apart from being hereditary, the abnormality could also result due to environmental factors, severe stress, or psychological trauma. Many psychological conditions develop from a mix of genetic predisposition and life experiences.
In simple words: Mental health issues are not just passed down through families; they can also be caused by difficult life events and stressful environments.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly state that abnormality is multi-causal, involving both biological (hereditary) and environmental factors.

 

Question 6. Self-awareness is being passionate about fulfilling one’s needs.
Answer: False
Reason: Self-motivation is being passionate about fulfilling one’s needs while self-awareness is the ability to recognize one’s own emotions, strengths, and weaknesses. Understanding our own feelings helps us make better life choices.
In simple words: Self-awareness is about knowing your own emotions and character, whereas self-motivation is the inner drive that pushes you to achieve your goals.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always define both terms clearly when explaining why a statement about psychological concepts is false.

 

Question 7. Social skill is the ability to interact well with others.
Answer: True
Explanation: Social skills include active listening, effective verbal and non-verbal communication, leadership, etc. which are all necessary to interact well with others. These skills help us build strong and healthy relationships throughout our lives.
In simple words: Social skills are the tools we use to communicate, share, and get along nicely with other people.

🎯 Exam Tip: To get full marks, list at least two examples of social skills, such as active listening or empathy, in your explanation.

 

Question 8. Openness to new experience leads to dangerous situations, therefore, it should not be encouraged
Answer: False
Reason: Openness to new experience is the trait of a well-adjusted individual and enables him to deal with strangers and new places comfortably. Simply being open does not lead to dangerous situations. In fact, it helps in personal growth and learning.
In simple words: Being open to new experiences helps us learn and adapt to new environments, and it does not mean we will behave recklessly.

🎯 Exam Tip: Emphasize that openness is a positive personality trait associated with adaptability rather than risk-taking behavior.

 

1C. Identify the Odd Item from the Following.

 

Question 1. Self-awareness, Self-regulation, Self-motivation, Sympathy, Social skills
Answer: Sympathy
Reason: Sympathy is an emotional reaction to others, whereas the other options are core components of emotional intelligence. Developing these core components is essential for personal and professional success.
In simple words: Sympathy is feeling sorry for someone else, while the other terms are internal skills that make up emotional intelligence.

🎯 Exam Tip: Write down the odd word first, then provide a one-sentence explanation of the common category shared by the other items.

 

Question 2. Cognitive perspective, Humanistic perspective, Psychoanalytic perspective, Experimental method
Answer: Experimental method
Reason: Experimental method is a research method, whereas the others are major theoretical perspectives in psychology. This distinction is fundamental in psychological studies.
In simple words: Experimental method is a way of doing research, whereas the other three are different viewpoints or theories in psychology.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify the category of the majority of the items first to easily spot the one that does not belong.

 

Question 2. Motivational perspective
Answer: Motivational perspective
In simple words: The motivational perspective explains how internal drives and desires influence our actions.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that the motivational perspective focuses on the internal and external factors that stimulate desire and energy in people to remain interested and committed to a goal.

 

Question 3. Failure, High anxiety, Negative thoughts, High self-esteem, Self-blame
Answer: High self-esteem
In simple words: High self-esteem is a positive quality, whereas all the other terms represent negative psychological states or experiences.

🎯 Exam Tip: In "odd man out" questions, look for the single positive term among negative ones, or vice versa, to quickly identify the correct answer.

 

Question 4. Deviance, Personal distress, Low intelligence, Impaired functioning
Answer: Low intelligence
In simple words: Low intelligence is a measure of cognitive ability, while the other three terms are standard criteria used to define abnormal behavior.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the core definitions of psychological terms; abnormal behavior criteria (the 4 Ds) do not include general intelligence levels.

1D. Match the Following

 

Question (i). Match the following:

A	B
1. The emphasis upon the unconscious mind	a. Biological
2. Survival and reproduction are the purpose of mental processes	b. Cognitive
3. Chemical changes in the brain	c. Psychoanalytic
4. Abnormal behaviour is due to faulty learning	d. Evolutionary
5. Emphasis upon thinking process	e. Sociocultural

Answer:

A	B
1. The emphasis upon the unconscious mind	c. Psychoanalytic
2. Survival and reproduction are the purpose of mental processes	d. Evolutionary
3. Chemical changes in the brain	a. Biological
4. Abnormal behaviour is due to faulty learning	e. Sociocultural
5. Emphasis upon thinking process	b. Cognitive

In simple words: This matching pairs different psychological viewpoints with their main ideas, like connecting brain chemistry to the biological perspective and thinking processes to the cognitive perspective.

🎯 Exam Tip: When matching, start with the pairs you are absolutely sure of (like unconscious mind with psychoanalytic) to easily eliminate other options.

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Question (ii). Match the columns:

A	B
(i) Stress and storm	(1) Used for gaining more power
(ii) Body image	(2) Adolescence
(iii) Bullying	(3) May lead to a lack of self-confidence
(iv) Low self-esteem	(4) Childhood
(v) Nurturance	(5) Anorexia
	(6) Feminine trait

Answer:

A	B
(i) Stress and storm	(2) Adolescence
(ii) Body image	(5) Anorexia
(iii) Bullying	(1) Used for gaining more power
(iv) Low self-esteem	(3) May lead to lack of self-confidence
(v) Nurturance	(6) Feminine trait

In simple words: This matching pairs psychological and developmental concepts with their correct descriptions, such as linking the 'stress and storm' phase to adolescence and 'nurturance' to traditional feminine traits.

🎯 Exam Tip: Match the most certain pairs first, like 'Stress and storm' with 'Adolescence', to easily eliminate options and find the correct answers for the remaining terms.

 

Answer the Following Questions in 35-40 Words Each

 

Question 1. Explain the concept of realistic perception of self with an example.
Answer:
• This is an important hallmark of a well-adjusted individual.
• It involves a good understanding of one’s own emotions, strengths, and weaknesses.
• It ensures that personal lives are effectively managed. This self-awareness helps people make better decisions in their daily lives.
• Example: Neha likes singing and knows that she has an excellent voice (her strength). Hence, she joins the singing classes to improve herself.
In simple words: Realistic perception of self means knowing what you are good at and what you need to work on. For example, if you know you sing well, you can take classes to get even better.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining self-perception, always include a clear, real-life example to demonstrate how knowing your strengths leads to positive action.

 

Question 2. What is emotional intelligence? Mention the components of emotional intelligence.
Answer:
• Mayer and Salovey define emotional intelligence as ‘the ability to perceive one’s own and others’ emotions, to discriminate among them, and to use that information to guide one’s thinking and action’. This concept highlights how crucial emotions are to our cognitive processes.
• It has five components, viz. self-awareness, self-regulation, self-motivation, social skills, and empathy.
• If a person is on the low end of the emotional intelligence spectrum, he or she may have a condition known as alexithymia. Alexithymia is the inability to understand or express emotions.
In simple words: Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand your own feelings and the feelings of others. It helps you control your actions and get along well with people.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember to list all five components of emotional intelligence clearly, as examiners look for these specific keywords to award full marks.

 

Question 3. What are the conditions that lead to low self-esteem? Give examples.
Answer: Some conditions that cause low self-esteem are:
• Overly harsh or critical parents
• Negative peer influence
• Consistent poor academic performance
• Stressful or traumatic events
• Abusive relationships
• Negative thoughts and high anxiety
These challenging situations can gradually erode a person's confidence over time.
In simple words: Low self-esteem happens when someone feels bad about themselves. This can be caused by harsh criticism, bullying, bad grades, or stressful events.

🎯 Exam Tip: When listing factors that cause low self-esteem, use bullet points to make your answer clear and easy for the examiner to read.

Question 4. What is the significance of openness to new experiences?
Answer: Openness to new experiences is a trait of a well-adjusted individual. This trait helps a person grow continuously throughout their life. It is only due to being open that one can:
• try out different experiences
• can explore new places
• be confident about himself or herself
• talk and meet strangers comfortably
• can take risks regarding unknown things
• is confident in voicing honest opinions
In simple words: Being open to new experiences means you are willing to try new things, meet new people, and explore new places without fear. This helps you grow and become more confident.

🎯 Exam Tip: When writing about personality traits, list at least 4-5 practical examples of how that trait shows in daily life to secure full marks.

 

Question 5. How does self-awareness affect psychological well-being?
Answer: Self-awareness is the ability to recognize and understand your own emotions, capabilities, actions, and moods. Understanding ourselves deeply is the first step toward emotional maturity. It affects our psychological well-being since:
• being aware of one’s own capabilities makes it easy to use strengths effectively and improve upon weaknesses.
• because of self-awareness, one can learn to avoid impulsive behaviour and take better care of mental health.
In simple words: Self-awareness means knowing your own feelings, strengths, and weaknesses. When you understand yourself, you can make better decisions and keep your mind healthy.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly define self-awareness first, then explain its impact on mental health using the two key points of utilizing strengths and avoiding impulsive behavior.

 

Question 6. What is the significance of self-motivation?
Answer: Self-motivation is crucial for personal growth and achieving long-term goals.
• Self-motivated individuals are eager to take action without needing any external reward or push.
• If one is self-motivated, he would rise against all the inhibitions and hesitations.
• It is significant because it not only makes one determined but it also keeps one going despite setbacks and hardships.
In simple words: Self-motivation is the inner drive that helps you take action and keep trying, even when things get difficult, without needing others to push you.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight the keyword 'internal drive' or 'no external reward' to show the examiner you understand the core concept of self-motivation.

 

Question 7. Enlist the qualities a person requires for having healthy relationships with others.
Answer: Well-adjusted individuals have healthy relations with others. It requires qualities such as:
• Being honest
• Being fair
• Being respectful
• Being non-threatening
• Being a responsible parent
• Having shared responsibilities
• Having an economic partnership
• Having trust and offering support to others. Developing these positive traits helps in building mutual respect and long-term stability.
In simple words: To have good relationships, we need to be honest, respectful, and supportive of each other. Sharing responsibilities and trusting one another makes our bonds stronger.

🎯 Exam Tip: List at least 5 to 6 key qualities clearly using bullet points to ensure you secure full marks for this question.

 

Question 8. How important are social skills? Give example.
Answer: All human beings are social animals and hence, social skills play an important role in their lives.
• These skills are required to effectively interact with each other.
• They help us to co-exist with others and create harmonious relationships.
• Some examples of social skills are effective communication, conflict resolution, and cooperation.
• Example: Excellent communication skills enabled Mahesh to develop healthy relations with colleagues and relatives. Without these skills, individuals may find it difficult to express their needs or understand others.
In simple words: Social skills are very important because they help us talk, work, and live peacefully with others. For example, being a good listener helps us make friends and avoid misunderstandings.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always include a practical, real-world example when asked, as it demonstrates a clear understanding of the concept to the examiner.

 

Question 9. State the biological perspective to abnormal behaviour with an example.
Answer: According to the biological perspective,
• Biological and physiological factors cause abnormality.
• The abnormality is treated as a disease or mental illness. It is diagnosed through symptoms.
• For instance, an imbalance in brain chemicals like serotonin can lead to clinical depression.
In simple words: The biological view says that mental health issues are like physical illnesses caused by brain chemistry or genetics. Doctors diagnose and treat them using medical symptoms and treatments.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember to mention that this perspective views mental issues as physical diseases that can be diagnosed through specific symptoms and treated medically.

Question 10. Explain the humanistic perspective.
Answer: According to the humanistic perspective, people are intrinsically driven to do better and advance their own growth. Abnormal behaviour is learned due to blocked personal growth. Abnormalities can be corrected by creating conditions that enable individuals to grow, change, and develop to their fullest possible potential.
In simple words: The humanistic view believes that everyone naturally wants to grow and be their best. When this growth is blocked, abnormal behavior can happen, but it can be fixed by creating a supportive environment.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight the core belief of the humanistic approach, which is the inherent drive towards self-actualization and personal growth.

 

Question 11. Explain the sociocultural perspective to abnormal behaviour.
Answer: According to the sociocultural perspective, abnormal behaviour is learned within a social context. It includes social norms and one’s family, friends, and society. Abnormalities can be attributed to problems in cultural values and belief systems. For example, a young girl may follow a strict diet, even when it is not good for her health, because being slim is highly associated with attractiveness in her culture.
In simple words: This perspective says that our society and culture shape how we behave. Sometimes, trying too hard to fit into social expectations or cultural standards can lead to abnormal behavior.

🎯 Exam Tip: Use the cultural example of dieting or social expectations to clearly illustrate how societal norms influence behavior.

 

3. Compare and Contrast

 

Question (i). Realistic perception of self and Unrealistic perception of self
Answer: Realistic perception of self means being aware of our own strengths and weaknesses. It also means using strengths for the betterment and modifying the weaknesses. Realistic people do not get upset when they are confronted with failure. All of this enables them to deal with life more effectively. On the other hand, an unrealistic perception of self leads to either overestimating or underestimating one's true capabilities, which often results in poor adjustment and frustration.
In simple words: Having a realistic self-perception means knowing what you are good at and what you need to work on, helping you handle life's ups and downs. An unrealistic view means having an inaccurate picture of yourself, which makes dealing with challenges much harder.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly define both terms and contrast how each affects a person's ability to handle failure and daily life challenges.

 

Question (ii). Openness to new experiences and Inhibitions/Fear of new experiences
Answer:
• People who can comfortably deal with strangers and are confident in voicing honest opinions are open to new experiences. They are eager to take on life, try out new trends, go to new places and reach out to people from different backgrounds, communities, and locations. They are confident and dare to take risks regarding unknown experiences, embracing personal growth along the way.
• People who are fearful and hesitant are not open to changes, new places, new people, and experiences. These individuals find it hard to deal with changes and get anxious while interacting with strangers.
In simple words: Open people love trying new things, meeting new people, and taking risks without fear. On the other hand, hesitant people feel anxious about change and prefer to stay in their comfort zones.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly contrast the two personality types using bullet points to make your answer easy for the examiner to read and grade.

 

Question (iii). High self-esteem and low self-esteem
Answer:
• People having high esteem like themselves and radiate confidence and assertiveness. They are happy with themselves and are liked by all because of it. It also results in better relationships. Well-adjusted individuals have high self-esteem, which helps them bounce back from failures easily.
• People with low self-esteem don’t think that they are loved, valued, or considered worthy. They don’t have a positive image of themselves. This leads to anxiety and poor performance. Consequently, they indulge in self-blame and continue to feel incompetent.
In simple words: High self-esteem means you feel good about yourself, which makes you confident and happy. Low self-esteem means you doubt your own value, leading to worry and feeling not good enough.

🎯 Exam Tip: Use keywords like 'assertiveness', 'well-adjusted', and 'self-blame' to demonstrate a strong understanding of psychological concepts.

 

Question (iv). Sympathy and Empathy
Answer:
• Sympathy refers to feeling sorrow, pity, or compassion for another person's misfortunes. It involves recognizing someone else's suffering from your own perspective without necessarily feeling their pain.
• Empathy is the deeper ability to understand and share the feelings of another person by putting yourself in their shoes. This emotional connection allows you to experience their feelings as if they were your own.
In simple words: Sympathy is feeling sorry for someone else's trouble from a distance. Empathy is actually understanding and feeling their pain as if you were going through it yourself.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that sympathy is 'feeling for' someone, while empathy is 'feeling with' someone. Highlighting this distinction clearly will earn you full marks.

• Sympathy is feeling sorry and having pity for the hardship or losses that another person faces. In this case, an individual genuinely feels bad for the hardships or grief faced by others.
• Empathy is putting yourself into someone else’s shoes. It refers to understanding the situation from that person’s point of view and actually feeling his pain. Hence, empathy is a more intense level of emotion than sympathy.

 

For Your Understanding

	Empathy	Sympathy
Meaning	Understanding what others are feeling because you have either experienced it yourself or can put yourself in their shoes.	Acknowledging another person’s emotional problems and trying to comfort or console them.
Example	Situation: Tushar fails in his preliminary exam and is upset.
Response	Empathetic response by Tushar’s friend: “I have been through this situation in the past so I know how it feels. But don’t worry. You can do better in final exam.”	Sympathetic response by Tushar’s friend: “I understand your situation. But failure is a part of life. So instead of being upset, let’s focus on how you can do better in final exam.”

 

Question (v). Behavioural perspective and Humanistic perspective to abnormality
Answer:
• Behavioural perspective: This perspective looks at the observable behaviour of an individual. This perspective believes that ineffective learning and conditioning can lead to abnormal behaviour. Behavioural psychologists treat such abnormalities with the help of the principles of reinforcement and punishment. This approach focuses entirely on external actions rather than internal thoughts.
• Humanistic perspective: This perspective looks at the ways human beings are driven to grow, change and develop into the best versions of themselves. This perspective believes that abnormalities get formed when personal growth is blocked. Humanistic psychologists treat such abnormalities by creating conditions that allow positive and healthy growth of the individual.
In simple words: The behavioural perspective believes abnormal behavior is learned from our environment and can be unlearned, while the humanistic perspective believes it happens when our natural path to personal growth is blocked.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly distinguish between the two perspectives by highlighting that the behavioural perspective focuses on observable actions and conditioning, while the humanistic perspective focuses on self-actualization and personal growth.

4(i). What are the possible consequences of

 

Question (a). Geeta is more interested in literature but being the only daughter of a well-established orthopaedic surgeon having his own hospital, she is under pressure of choosing medical profession as her career.
Answer:
• It is possible that Geeta follows her father’s footsteps and becomes a doctor. But she will not be self-motivated and may resent her work. She is likely to get frustrated when encountered with setbacks.
• It is also possible that she (firmly but gently) tells father of her interest in literature and convinces him that literature is where her heart and passion lies. In this case, she will not blame anyone during rough times and will be motivated to resolve the difficulties that may arise. This highlights the importance of pursuing one's true passion for long-term career satisfaction.
In simple words: Geeta might either become an unhappy doctor to please her father, or she can talk to him honestly about her love for literature to build a career she truly enjoys.

🎯 Exam Tip: When analyzing case studies, always present both the negative and positive potential outcomes to show a balanced understanding.

 

Question (b). Sujata is an intelligent girl but she is extremely sensitive to criticism and perceives herself as less competent.
Answer:
• Sujata will keep getting disheartened when criticised. There are chances that this may happen frequently since she has no control over other’s behaviour.
• If faced with constant criticism, she will continue to feel less competent and may get trapped in the vicious cycle of low self-esteem. Developing resilience is crucial for maintaining mental well-being in the face of external judgment.
In simple words: Sujata will feel sad and lose confidence if she takes criticism too personally, but she needs to learn to believe in herself despite what others say.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly explain the psychological impact of constant criticism, using terms like self-esteem and confidence to secure full marks.

 

Question (c). Trisha is not able to make friends. She cannot initiate conversation with strangers at all. She is placed as a leader of one of the teams for campus-cleaning.
Answer:
• Her team mates may make fun of her and won’t look up to her as a leader. She may end up taking the cleaning activity all by herself and the team will not listen to her at all.
• However, if she views it as a challenge and responds positively to the situation, she might be able to overcome her weaknesses. Taking on leadership roles can be an excellent opportunity for personal growth and building self-confidence.
In simple words: Trisha might struggle at first because she is shy, but if she treats this leadership role as a challenge, she can learn to make friends and lead well.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the transition from a challenge to an opportunity for self-improvement when discussing leadership scenarios.

What Will You Do If?

 

Question (a). You see your best friend bullying your classmate.
Answer: I will intervene and use my friendship to stop the bullying immediately. Then I will talk to my friend to figure out why she was resorting to bullying. True friends always guide each other towards the right path. I will also try to make her understand why engaging in such behaviour is wrong.
In simple words: If my friend is doing something wrong like bullying, I will stop them right away. Afterwards, I will talk to them privately to explain why bullying hurts others and help them change their behavior.

🎯 Exam Tip: When answering value-based questions, focus on constructive, peaceful, and active conflict resolution strategies.

 

Question (b). You see a girl in your class who is not included in many of the class room activities, who does not have any friend and who faces rejection from everyone.
Answer: I will myself go up to her and befriend her. I will also help her in whatever way I can. Kindness and inclusivity can make a huge difference in someone's life. I will not worry if others isolate me for helping her as I can understand that she needs support. I will try to talk to others at a later point in time to change their view towards her.
In simple words: I will be friendly to the lonely girl and help her feel included. I will also try to convince other classmates to stop ignoring her and be nice to her.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight empathy, kindness, and social responsibility in your answers to show a mature perspective.

 

Question (c). You got very less marks in the First Terminal exam.
Answer: I will certainly be very disappointed and upset at first. But then I will try to analyse the causes of getting such less marks. Learning from our mistakes is the key to academic success. I will study more, waste less time in leisure activities, pay more attention in class and clarify my doubts immediately. It will help me to get good marks in the next term.
In simple words: Instead of just feeling sad about bad marks, I will find out where I went wrong. I will study harder, pay attention in class, and ask teachers for help to do better next time.

🎯 Exam Tip: Structure your answer chronologically: first acknowledge the setback, then analyze the cause, and finally state the action plan.

 

Question (d). You are very much interested in taking part in a drama to be performed in the annual function of your college, but you are not selected.
Answer: I will feel sad about not being selected, but I will not lose heart. I will ask the teacher if I can help behind the scenes with management, props, or lighting. Participating in backstage work is also a great way to learn about theatre. This will keep me involved in the event, and I will practice harder to secure a role next year.
In simple words: If I don't get selected for the play, I won't give up. I will help with backstage work to stay involved and practice more for the next opportunity.

🎯 Exam Tip: Show resilience and a positive attitude in your response when dealing with rejection or failure.

Write Short Notes in 50-60 Words Each

 

Question 1. Criteria of well-adjusted person
Answer: A well-adjusted person is a well-balanced person, both mentally and emotionally. They see themselves as well as the world as worthy and valuable. The criteria of a well-balanced individual include openness to new experiences, healthy relationships, high self-esteem, emotional intelligence, and a realistic perception of self and the world. Besides these criteria, other criteria of well-adjusted individuals include expressing gratitude, kindness and sharing as well as accepting success and failure as a part of life. Developing these traits helps individuals navigate life's challenges with resilience and grace.
In simple words: A well-adjusted person is mentally healthy, happy with themselves, and gets along well with others. They can handle life's ups and downs smoothly.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly list the key criteria like high self-esteem and emotional intelligence to make your answer structured and easy to read.

 

Question 2. Criteria of abnormal behaviour
Answer: Abnormal behaviour is disturbing (socially unacceptable), distressing and maladaptive (self-defeating). There are three major criteria of abnormal behaviour: deviance (violating social norms), distress (causing personal suffering or pain), and dysfunction (interfering with daily functioning). Understanding these criteria helps in identifying when someone needs professional psychological support.
In simple words: Abnormal behavior is actions or thoughts that are very unusual, cause distress to the person or others, and make it hard to do everyday tasks.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember the '3 Ds' of abnormal behavior—Deviance, Distress, and Dysfunction—to easily recall and write this answer.

 

Question 3. Psychoanalytic perspective
Answer:
• The psychoanalytic perspective focuses on the unconscious mind, early childhood experiences, and interpersonal relations to explain human behaviour. This approach helps us understand deep-rooted psychological patterns.
• According to this perspective, abnormal behaviour is the consequence of anxiety produced by unresolved and unconscious conflicts of childhood.
• This perspective tries to treat people displaying abnormal behaviour by focusing on identification and the resolution of these conflicts.
• Freud has also explained that certain unconscious motives or conflicts have a base of primitive sexual and aggressive instincts.
In simple words: This approach says our current behavior is shaped by hidden thoughts and memories from our childhood. By understanding these secret feelings, we can solve our mental struggles.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly mention Sigmund Freud and the role of the unconscious mind to secure full marks in psychoanalytic theory questions.

 

Question 4. Cognitive perspective
Answer:
• The cognitive perspective says that individuals behave abnormally due to faulty thinking patterns. They may hold certain false assumptions and behave in accordance with them. By changing how we perceive situations, we can change how we react to them.
• This perspective tries to treat people displaying abnormal behaviour by helping them to adapt to a new thinking process.
• This is done by unlearning maladaptive thinking and replacing it with a more adaptive one.
In simple words: This theory suggests that negative actions come from negative or incorrect thoughts. If we can change our bad thinking habits into positive ones, our behavior will improve too.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on keywords like 'faulty thinking patterns', 'unlearning', and 'adaptive thinking' when explaining the cognitive perspective.

 

Question 5. Bullying
Answer: Bullying is defined as unwanted, aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance, which is often repeated over time. It can have deep and lasting psychological impacts on both the victim and the bully.
In simple words: Bullying is when someone repeatedly uses their power or strength to hurt, scare, or exclude someone else.

🎯 Exam Tip: Define bullying by highlighting key elements like 'imbalance of power' and 'repetition' to get full marks.

Question 6. Sexual orientation
Answer:
• Sexual orientation refers to an individual’s pattern of physical and emotional arousal, towards another person. Understanding this pattern helps adolescents navigate their personal development.
• Heterosexual individuals are attracted to persons of the opposite sex.
• Homosexual individuals are attracted to persons of the same sex.
• Bisexual individuals are attracted to person of both sexes.
• During adolescence, sex hormones become active and adolescents become conscious of their sexual orientation.
• Adolescents who are homosexual or bisexual become confused when they realise that their sexual orientation is different from their peers.
In simple words: Sexual orientation is about who a person is naturally attracted to, whether it is the opposite sex, the same sex, or both. During teenage years, people become more aware of these feelings.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly define the three main types of sexual orientation (heterosexual, homosexual, and bisexual) to secure full marks in this definition-based question.

 

Question 7. Emotional intelligence
Answer:
• The term emotional intelligence was coined by Michel Beldoch in 1964.
• Emotional intelligence is explained as the ability to understand and manage one’s own and others’ emotions. Developing this skill can greatly improve personal and professional relationships.
• Its proposed abilities include perceiving, using, understanding and managing emotions appropriately.
In simple words: Emotional intelligence is the ability to know, understand, and control your own feelings, while also understanding how other people feel.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember to mention the year 1964 and the name Michel Beldoch, as examiners look for these specific historical details.

• Having high emotional intelligence is one of the criteria of well-adjusted individuals.
• Individuals with high emotional intelligence are balanced. They do not easily get panic or nervous. They are able to handle stressful situations effectively.

6. Case Study

Read the following case carefully and answer the questions based upon that.

Pritha was a merit holder girl from a middle class family. She joined a college where majority of students were from a rich background. Although she was capable of following lectures and was doing well in her studies, she felt lonely as she could not get acceptance in the groups of her classmates coming from affluent families. She tried to dress like them, and started asking for extra pocket money from her parents. Her classmates joked at her dressing sense. She could not tolerate the mockery and stopped going to the college.

Instead, she started spending time visiting strange places like public parks, railway stations and shopping malls. She did not appear for any of her exams. Her parents were unaware of all these things and on asking about college or studies, Pritha answered them without revealing the truth. It the end of the year, her parents received her report card by post from her college with a remark that ‘Your ward has to take College Leaving certificate.

On confronting Pritha, she became violent and started damaging the furniture uttering bad words about the middle class people and there after her utterance was incomprehensible for her parents. This continued for a very long time.

 

Question 1. Which problems did Pritha face in her college?
Answer: Pritha got isolated with her peers because of her economic background. She also faced bullying as her affluent classmates made fun of her dressing sense. She felt humiliated and unaccepted. It affected her mental well-being. She probably felt that she could not discuss those issues at her home and felt helpless. This emotional distress eventually led her to avoid college entirely.
In simple words: Pritha felt lonely and left out because she was from a middle-class family while her classmates were rich. They made fun of her clothes, which made her feel so bad that she stopped going to college.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly identify both the social (isolation, bullying) and emotional (helplessness, humiliation) challenges faced by the character to write a complete answer.

 

Question 2. Could Pritha, according to you, have avoided her condition of feeling lonely?
Answer: Yes, Pritha could have avoided her condition of feeling lonely by seeking help from a college counselor or discussing her feelings openly with her parents. She could have also focused on finding like-minded friends who valued her for her academic merits rather than her financial background. Developing strong emotional resilience early on would have also helped her cope with peer pressure more effectively.
In simple words: Yes, Pritha could have avoided feeling lonely if she had talked to her parents or a teacher about her problems. She could also have looked for friends who liked her for who she was, instead of trying to fit in with the rich students.

🎯 Exam Tip: When answering opinion-based questions, support your view with practical solutions like communication, counseling, or self-acceptance.

 

Question 3. What would you do if you were in Pritha’s place?
Answer: I would have talked to my parents and discussed everything openly. My parents would have surely guided me on how to deal with peers coming from different backgrounds and provided me their thoughts and ideas. I would also have concentrated more on my studies. Seeking parental guidance is always a constructive step during difficult times.
In simple words: If I were in her place, I would talk to my parents honestly. They could guide me on how to handle different classmates and help me focus on my studies.

🎯 Exam Tip: When answering personal response questions, always provide a positive, constructive solution and explain how it helps resolve the issue.

 

Question 4. Do you think Pritha should have spoken to her parents about her feelings at college? If yes, how it would have helped her?
Answer: Yes, Pritha should have spoken and informed her parents of what was going on in her college life, instead of lying about going to college. Lying was only multiplying her troubles. They could have given her support and also maybe talked to her teachers and managed to get the situation under control. Open communication prevents small misunderstandings from turning into major crises.
In simple words: Yes, she should have told her parents the truth instead of lying. Her parents could have supported her and worked with her teachers to solve the problem.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly state your stance (Yes or No) first, then provide logical reasons from the text to support your opinion.

7. Answer The Following Questions In 150-200 Words

 

Question 1. What are the criteria of abnormal behaviour? Explain with examples.
Answer: All of the following criteria need to be considered together in order to determine if a person displays abnormal behaviour. Personal distress: Personal distress refers to subjective feeling of an individual in response to persons and events creating extreme discomfort. It includes feeling very low, depressed, facing problems like social withdrawal, e.g. A person feeling down and sad every day is considered abnormal. Understanding these criteria helps in identifying psychological issues early.
In simple words: To decide if someone's behavior is abnormal, we look at several signs together. One major sign is personal distress, where a person feels extremely sad, stressed, or lonely every single day.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining psychological criteria, define the term clearly and always provide a realistic, everyday example to secure full marks.

Deviance: Behaviour against the set laws of the state or behaviours different than standard social and statistical patterns exhibited by most of the people, e.g. Deliberately engaging in behaviour which is harmful to self and others.

Failure to Perform Functions Normally: Day-to-day functioning getting impaired, i.e. inability to fulfil appropriate and expected roles in family, social and work related situations, e.g. A person is not able to perform his daily chores and fulfil work commitments due to lethargy.

 

Question 2. What are the causes of abnormal behaviour?
Answer: There are primarily seven psychological perspectives of abnormal behaviour. All these perspectives indicate different factors as the causes of abnormal behaviour. Additionally, Stress Diathesis Model and Biopsychosocial Model also discuss the causes of abnormal behaviour. These diverse frameworks help clinicians understand mental health issues from multiple angles. The causes of abnormal behaviour can be explained as follows:
• Biological perspective: Abnormal behaviour results due to chemical imbalance or physiological factors.
• Sociocultural perspective: Abnormal behaviour is learnt within the social context.
• Behavioural perspective: Abnormal behaviour is learnt due to ineffective learning and conditioning.
• Evolutionary perspective: Abnormal behaviour is an exaggerated form of adaptive action.
• Humanistic perspective: Abnormal behaviour arises from blocked personal growth.
• Psychoanalytic/Psychodynamic perspective: Abnormal behaviour is due to unconscious and unresolved conflicts.
• Cognitive perspective: Abnormal behaviour arises due to false assumptions and faulty thinking.
• Stress-Diathesis model: Disorder = Nature (Biological and genetic factors) + Nurture (Life experiences)
• Biopsychosocial model: Abnormal behaviour = Biological factors + Psychological factors + Sociocultural factors
In simple words: Abnormal behavior can be caused by many different things, such as genetics, brain chemistry, negative life experiences, or faulty thinking patterns. Scientists use different perspectives to study how these biological, psychological, and social factors combine to affect our mental health.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly list all seven psychological perspectives along with the two models, providing a brief one-sentence explanation for each to secure full marks.

Question 3. Describe the challenges faced by adolescents with examples.
Answer: Adolescence is the transitional period associated with a number of physiological and psychological changes. It is called the period of ‘storm and stress’. Since adolescents are neither children nor adult, they face many challenges as follows:

• Sexual orientation issues: Adolescents who are homosexual or bisexual become confused when they realise that their sexual orientation is different from peers.
• Gender identity issues: Some adolescents may show traits typically thought to be of the other gender. If they are not allowed to behave in a way that is natural to them, they become rebellious.
• Bullying issues: Adolescents may face the problem of being bullied. They may be humiliated or fall victim to other people’s aggression when they have less power or prestige.
• Other challenges:
  • Self-identity issues since they are neither adult nor children.
  • May feel inferior, shy and have difficulty in mixing with peers.
  • Lack of self-confidence may perceive others negatively.
  • May become conscious about their physical features.
  • May become moody and unpredictable due to hormonal changes.
  • May feel excessive pressure due to expectations of oneself and parents.

These difficulties can significantly impact their academic performance and social relationships if left unaddressed.
In simple words: Adolescents go through many physical and mental changes, making it a stressful time. They often face challenges like confusion about who they are, bullying, and pressure from parents and school.

🎯 Exam Tip: Use clear headings like 'Gender identity issues' and 'Bullying issues' to structure your answer, as examiners look for these specific categories.

 

Activities

[Note: The answers of activities will be very subjective. The answers provided are for reference. Students are expected to perform these activities on their own.]

 

Activity 8 (Textbook Page No. 50)

 

Question. Think about the following situations. Try and apply the criteria for abnormality that you came up with, to these cases and try to judge if they could be called abnormal.
1. Sameer likes to dress up like girls.
2. Kushal is confused about his sexual orientation.
3. After marriage, Shoaib went to live with his in-laws.
4. Joseph loves to be alone and travels alone.
Answer: These situations represent individual differences and personal choices rather than psychological abnormalities. For instance, dressing differently or choosing to live with in-laws are social variations that do not cause harm or dysfunction. Understanding these distinctions helps in developing a more empathetic and realistic view of human behavior.
In simple words: Look at each situation and decide if it is truly abnormal or just a personal choice that is different from what most people do.

🎯 Exam Tip: When analyzing such cases, remember that statistical infrequency or social non-conformity does not automatically mean a behavior is abnormal.

Question 5. Delnaz is introvert and does not like to mix with any one.
Answer:
1. Sameer may be having gender identification issues and must be feeling more feminine than masculine. But I think it is not abnormal.
2. Kushal may not be aware that there can be heterosexuals, homosexuals and bisexuals and it is perfectly normal to be any of them.
3. Although usually it is the bride who lives with in-laws after marriage, I don’t think of Shoaib’s behaviour as abnormal. It is just different than a normal social pattern.
4. If Joseph wants to be alone and travel alone at times, it seems to be alright. Maybe he’s going through a phase of self discovery. However, if this pattern continues for a longer duration and hampers his social relationships, then it is abnormal as human beings are social beings. Understanding and accepting individual differences is crucial for a healthy society.
5. Delnaz can be considered abnormal if she doesn’t like interacting with anyone, including her near ones and family. However, being introvert does not mean someone is abnormal.
In simple words: People have different personalities, preferences, and identities, and being different from the majority does not make someone abnormal. We should respect everyone's unique way of living as long as it does not cause harm.

🎯 Exam Tip: When analyzing behavioral scenarios, clearly distinguish between healthy personal choices (like being introverted) and patterns that cause actual harm or distress.

 

Activity 11 (Textbook Page No. 54)

 

Question. You are all adolescents now. Think about how you are today and how you were in 5th/6th standard. Make two columns and note down the changes you see in these five domains: your self-image, your confidence, relationships with your parents, physical changes, and importance of friends in your life.
Answer:

Self-image	Has become more positive
Confidence	Improved significantly as I know what I am capable of
Relation with parents	Continues to be warm and close
Physical changes	Increase in height, weight and change in overall appearance

These developmental shifts are a natural part of growing up and transitioning into adulthood.
In simple words: As we grow from children into teenagers, our bodies, thoughts, and relationships change in positive ways as we discover who we are.

🎯 Exam Tip: When describing personal growth domains, use clear, positive, and comparative terms (e.g., 'more positive', 'improved significantly') to show clear progression.

Importance of Friends

• Increased importance as we understand each other better