CBSE Class 12 Psychology Syllabus for academic session 2026-27
This page contains the CBSE Class 12 Psychology syllabus for the academic session 2026-27, as prescribed by CBSE curriculum.
Psychology is introduced as an elective subject at the higher secondary level in school education. As a field, Psychology focuses on understanding human experiences, behaviors, and mental processes within a specific social, cultural, and historical context. This course aims to create interest and familiarize students with fundamental concepts, theories, and methods in Psychology.
The course encourages students to analyze behavior and mental processes. Students will learn to evaluate evidence and challenge assumptions, thereby developing critical thinking skills that are valuable in any field of study or career. The course emphasizes the role of socio-cultural factors in behavior, helping students appreciate diversity and sensitivity that prepares them to be inclusive and empathetic global citizens.
It is recommended that teaching methods actively engage students, helping them develop their own understanding. To achieve this, the teaching learning processes should incorporate case studies, personal narratives, experiential exercises, and reflections on everyday experiences.
Objectives:
•
To help students understand the nature of psychological knowledge and its relevance to different aspects of life.
•
To encourage students to be observant, socially aware, and reflective.
•
To reduce stigma and increase awareness of psychological well-being by educating students about mental health.
•
To help students understand their own thoughts, emotions and behaviors fostering personal growth and resilience, preparing them to become responsible global members of society.
Marking Scheme
Time: 3 Hours
Marks: 70
Units
Topics
Marks
I
Variations in Psychological Attributes
13
II
Self and Personality
13
III
Meeting Life Challenges
9
IV
Psychological Disorders
12
V
Therapeutic Approaches
9
VI
Attitude and Social Cognition
8
VII
Social Influence and Group Processes
6
Total
70
Syllabus / Course Content – Theory
Unit I : Variations in Psychological Attributes
The topics in this unit are:
1.
Introduction
2.
Individual Differences in Human Functioning
3.
Assessment of Psychological Attributes
4.
Intelligence
5.
Psychometric Theories of Intelligence, Information Processing Theory: Planning, Attention-arousal and Simultaneous successive Model of Intelligence, Triarchic Theory of Intelligence; Theory of Multiple Intelligences.
6.
Individual Differences in Intelligence
7.
Culture and Intelligence
8.
Emotional Intelligence
9.
Special Abilities: Aptitude: Nature and Measurement
10.
Creativity
Unit II : Self and Personality
The topics in this unit are:
1.
Introduction
2.
Self and Personality
3.
Concept of Self
4.
Cognitive and Behavioural aspects of Self
5.
Culture and Self
6.
Concept of Personality
7.
Major Approaches to the Study of Personality
•
Type Approaches
•
Trait Approaches
•
Psychodynamic Approach and Post Freudian Approaches
•
Behavioural Approach
•
Cultural Approach
•
Humanistic Approach
8.
Assessment of Personality
•
Self-report Measures
•
Projective Techniques
•
Behavioural Analysis
Unit III Meeting Life Challenges
The topics in this unit are:
1.
Introduction
2.
Nature, Types and Sources of Stress
3.
Effects of Stress on Psychological Functioning and Health
•
Stress and Health
•
General Adaptation Syndrome
•
Stress and Immune System
•
Lifestyle
4.
Coping with Stress
•
Stress Management Techniques
5.
Promoting Positive Health and Well-being
•
Life Skills
•
Positive Health
Unit IV: Psychological Disorders
The topics in this unit are:
1.
Introduction
2.
Concepts of Abnormality and Psychological Disorders
•
Historical Background
3.
Classification of Psychological Disorders
4.
Factors Underlying Abnormal Behaviour
5.
Major Psychological Disorders
•
Anxiety Disorders
•
Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders
•
Trauma-and Stressor-Related Disorders
•
Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders
•
Dissociative Disorders
•
Depressive Disorder
•
Bipolar and Related Disorders
•
Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders
•
Neurodevelopmental Disorders
•
Disruptive, Impulse-Control and Conduct Disorders
•
Feeding and Eating Disorders
•
Substance Related and Addictive Disorders
Unit V : Therapeutic Approaches
The topics in this unit are:
1.
Nature and Process of psychotherapy
•
Therapeutic relationship
2.
Types of Therapies
•
Behaviour Therapy
•
Cognitive Therapy
•
Humanistic-Existential Therapy
•
Alternative Therapies
•
Factors contributing to healing in Psychotherapy
•
Ethics in Psychotherapy
3.
Rehabilitation of the Mentally Ill
Unit VI : Attitude and Social Cognition
The topics in this unit are:
1.
Introduction
2.
Explaining Social Behaviour
3.
Nature and Components of Attitudes
4.
Attitude Formation and Change
•
Attitude Formation
•
Attitude Change
•
Attitude-Behaviour Relationship
5.
Prejudice and Discrimination
6.
Strategies for Handling Prejudice
Unit VII : Social Influence and Group Processes
The topics in this unit are:
1.
Introduction
2.
Nature and Formation of Groups
3.
Type of Groups
4.
Influence of Group on Individual Behaviour
•
Social Loafing
•
Group Polarisation
Practical
30 Marks
A.
Development of case profile:
Using appropriate methods like interview, observation & psychological tests.
B.
Test administration:
Students are required to administer and interpret five psychological tests related to various psychological attributes like intelligence, aptitude, attitude, personality, etc.
C.
In the Practical examination, the student will be required to administer and interpret two psychological tests.
Distribution of Marks:
● Practical File and Case Profile
10 Marks
● Viva Voce (Case Profile & Two psychological tests)
05 Marks
● Two tests (5 marks for conducting the tests and 10 marks for reporting)
15 Marks
Total
30 Marks
Question Paper Design
I. Theory : 70 Marks
Time: 3 Hours
Maximum Marks: 70
S.
No.
No.
Competencies
Total
Marks
Marks
% Weightage
1
Remembering and Understanding: Exhibiting memory of previously learned material by recalling facts, terms, basic concepts, and answers; Demonstrating understanding of facts and ideas by organizing, comparing, translating, interpreting, giving descriptions and stating main ideas
35
50%
2
Applying: Solving problems to new situations by applying acquired knowledge, facts, techniques and rules in a different way
25
35%
3
Formulating, Analysing, Evaluating and Creating: Examining and breaking information into parts by identifying motives or causes; Making inferences and finding evidence to support generalizations; Presenting and defending opinions by making judgments about information, validity of ideas, or quality of work based on a set of criteria; Compiling information together in a different way by combining elements in a new pattern or proposing alternative solutions
10
15%
Total
70
100%
II. Practical: 30 Marks
Prescribed Books:
1.
Psychology, Class XI, Published by NCERT
2.
Psychology, Class XII, Published by NCERT
Note: The above textbooks are also available in Hindi medium.