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CUET-UG PSYCHOLOGY
Chapter 1: What is Psychology?
Definition of Psychology
Aspect Description
Literal Meaning Derived from Greek words: Psyche (soul/mind) and Logos
(study/discourse)
Modern Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.
Definition
Goals of Psychology
Goal Description
Describe What is the behavior? Example: Observing a child’s hyperactivity.
Explain Why is the behavior occurring? Example: Due to anxiety or
environment.
Predict When is it likely to happen again?
Control/Modify How to bring change? Example: Through therapy, reinforcement, etc.
Understanding Behavior
Type of Behavior Example
Overt (Observable) Walking, talking, writing
Covert (Internal) Thinking, feeling, remembering
Mental Processes
• Internal experiences inferred from behavior.
• Include thinking, memory, perception, emotion, and motivation.
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Branches of Psychology
Branch Focus Area
Clinical Psychology Diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders
Counseling Psychology Everyday adjustment issues
Educational Psychology Learning processes in educational settings
Developmental Psychology Changes across lifespan
Social Psychology Influence of society on behavior
Industrial-Organizational Psychology Workplace behavior
Health Psychology Relation of mind and body in illness and health
Psychology as a Natural and Social Science
Natural Science Traits Social Science Traits
Scientific methods Deals with human behavior in a social context
Controlled experiments Cultural and contextual variables
Biological basis of behavior Interpersonal and group dynamics
Psychology and Other Disciplines
Discipline Relationship with Psychology
Biology Nervous system, hormones, brain-behavior links
Sociology Group behavior, social norms
Anthropology Cultural influences on behavior
Economics Decision-making, consumer behavior
Political Science Attitudes, leadership, public opinion
Flowchart: Psychology and Its Scope
Psychology
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Mental Processes Behavior Applications
(Thinking, (Covert & Overt) (Clinical, I/O, etc.)
Emotions, etc.)
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Psychologists at Work
Type Work Description
Experimental Psychologists Conduct lab studies on learning, sensation,
perception
Clinical Psychologists Treat mental health disorders
Counseling Psychologists Help people with adjustment problems
School/Educational Psychologists Address student learning and behavior issues
Industrial/Organizational Enhance productivity and morale in workplaces
Psychologists
Forensic Psychologists Work in legal and criminal justice settings
Summary Points
• Psychology is a science of behavior and mental processes.
• It aims to describe, explain, predict, and modify behavior.
• It has applications in education, health, industry, etc.
• It is both a natural and a social science.
• Psychology interacts with multiple disciplines and has many branches.
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Chapter 2: Variations in Psychological Attributes
Introduction
• People differ from each other in terms of physical features, personal traits, cognitive
abilities, and emotional tendencies.
• These differences are known as psychological attributes.
Major Psychological Attributes
Psychological Attribute Description
Intelligence Ability to learn, understand, and apply knowledge
Aptitude Potential to learn or acquire a specific skill
Creativity Ability to produce novel, original ideas
Personality Consistent patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
Values Enduring beliefs about what is desirable or worthwhile
Interest Preferences towards particular activities or subjects
Emotional Intelligence Ability to perceive, control, and evaluate emotions
Assessment of Psychological Attributes
Method Description
Psychological Tests Standardized instruments to assess attributes
Interviews Face-to-face interactions for information gathering
Observation Systematic watching of behavior in a natural setting
Self-Report Individuals provide information about themselves
Case Study Detailed analysis of a single individual or group
Types of Intelligence
Theory Proponents Key Ideas
Spearman’s Two-Factor Charles General factor (g) + Specific factors (s)
Theory Spearman
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Thurstone’s Primary L.L. Thurstone Seven independent mental abilities
Mental Abilities
Gardner’s Multiple Howard 8 intelligences (Linguistic, Logical,
Intelligences Gardner Spatial, etc.)
Sternberg’s Triarchic Robert Analytical, Creative, and Practical
Theory Sternberg intelligence
Cattell’s Theory Raymond Fluid intelligence (innate) and
Cattell Crystallized intelligence (acquired)
Emotional Intelligence (EI)
Aspect Description
Definition Ability to perceive, express, regulate, and understand emotions
Components Self-awareness, Self-regulation, Empathy, Social skills, Motivation
Importance Helps in personal and professional success, managing stress and relationships
Personality
Approach Description
Type Approach Personality classified into types (e.g., introvert/extrovert)
Trait Approach Personality as a combination of traits (e.g., Big Five: OCEAN)
Humanistic Approach Emphasizes personal growth and self-actualization
Behavioral Approach Personality shaped by environment and learning
Cultural Approach Focus on cultural influences on personality development
Flowchart: Variations in Psychological Attributes
Variations in Psychological Attributes
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Intelligence Aptitude Creativity Personality Emotional Intelligence
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Differences Between Intelligence, Aptitude, and Creativity
Attribute Definition Focus Example
Intelligence General mental ability Problem-solving Solving a math problem
Aptitude Specific capacity for learning Future potential Musical or technical skill
Creativity Novelty in thinking Original ideas Creating an artwork
Uses of Psychological Testing
Field Use
Education Identify learning difficulties, giftedness
Industry Recruitment, placement
Counseling Personality assessment
Clinical Diagnosing mental disorders
Research Understanding human behavior
Summary Points
• Individuals vary in psychological attributes such as intelligence, aptitude, creativity,
etc.
• These can be assessed using various methods.
• Different theories explain intelligence in unique ways.
• Emotional intelligence and personality influence adjustment and success.
• Psychological testing is useful in multiple domains.
