ICSE Class 12 Syllabus for Psychology

The ISC (Indian School Certificate) Class 12 Psychology syllabus is designed to provide students with an understanding of psychological concepts, theories, and research methods. It covers various aspects of psychology, including human development, cognitive processes, and social behavior. Here’s a detailed overview:

ISC Class 12 Psychology Syllabus

**1. Human Development

1. Concept of Development:

   • Definition and Importance: Overview of human development and its significance.
   • Principles of Development: Principles and characteristics of human development.

2. Stages of Development:

   • Infancy: Physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional development.
   • Early Childhood: Cognitive, language, and social development.
   • Middle Childhood: Cognitive and social changes during school age.
   • Adolescence: Identity formation, cognitive development, and social influences.
   • Adulthood: Physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional changes in adulthood.

3. Theories of Development:

   • Psychoanalytic Theories: Freud’s psychosexual stages and Erikson’s psychosocial stages.
   • Cognitive Development Theories: Piaget’s stages of cognitive development and Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory.
   • Behavioral and Social Learning Theories: Bandura’s social learning theory and its impact on development.

**2. Cognitive Processes

1. Perception:

   • Concepts of Perception: Definition, processes, and theories.
   • Perceptual Processes: Sensation, attention, and interpretation.

2. Memory:

   • Types of Memory: Sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory.
   • Processes of Memory: Encoding, storage, and retrieval.
   • Forgetting: Causes of forgetting and theories (e.g., interference theory).

3. Thinking and Problem Solving:

   • Concepts of Thinking: Definition, types (convergent and divergent thinking), and processes.
   • Problem Solving: Strategies and techniques for solving problems.
   • Creativity: Definition, characteristics, and enhancement of creativity.

4. Intelligence:

   • Concept of Intelligence: Definition and types (emotional, multiple intelligences).
   • Theories of Intelligence: Spearman’s two-factor theory, Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences, and Sternberg’s triarchic theory.
   • Assessment of Intelligence: Intelligence tests and their applications.

**3. Social Psychology

1. Social Perception:

   • Concepts of Social Perception: Understanding how we perceive others.
   • Attribution Theory: Explanation of how we attribute causes to behavior.

2. Attitudes and Persuasion:

   • Concept of Attitudes: Formation, change, and components (cognitive, affective, and behavioral).
   • Persuasion: Theories of persuasion and techniques.

3. Group Dynamics:

   • Group Behavior: Types of groups, group formation, and group roles.
   • Leadership: Theories of leadership, types of leaders, and leadership styles.

4. Social Influence:

   • Concepts of Social Influence: Conformity, compliance, and obedience.
   • Factors Affecting Social Influence: Situational and individual factors.

5. Prejudice and Discrimination:

   • Concepts of Prejudice: Definition, causes, and effects.
   • Discrimination: Types, effects, and strategies to reduce discrimination.

**4. Psychological Disorders and Health

1. Psychological Disorders:

   • Classification: Major classifications (e.g., anxiety disorders, mood disorders, psychotic disorders).
   • Symptoms and Causes: Common symptoms and possible causes of psychological disorders.

2. Therapeutic Approaches:

   • Psychotherapy: Types (cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, humanistic therapy).
   • Pharmacotherapy: Use of medication in treating psychological disorders.

3. Health Psychology:

   • Concept of Health Psychology: Role of psychology in health and illness.
   • Stress and Coping: Definitions, sources of stress, and coping strategies.
   • Promotion of Well-being: Strategies for promoting mental and physical well-being.

Assessment:

• Written Examination:

  • Theory Paper: Questions on psychological concepts, theories, and research methods.
  • Case Studies: Analysis and application of psychological theories to real-world scenarios.

• Internal Assessment:

  • Project Work: Research on a psychological topic, including data collection, analysis, and presentation.
  • Class Assignments: Essays, presentations, and discussions on psychological issues and research findings.

The ISC Class 12 Psychology syllabus aims to provide students with a thorough understanding of psychological principles and their application to everyday life. It emphasizes both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, preparing students for further studies and careers in psychology and related fields.