CBSE Class 12 –Psychology Question Paper 2022

SECTION A

1. (a) What is well-being?

Answer:
Well-being refers to a state of being comfortable, healthy, and happy. It encompasses emotional, psychological, and social aspects of an individual’s life, contributing to their overall life satisfaction and quality of life.

(b) Differentiate between obsession and compulsion.

Answer:

Obsession is a persistent, intrusive thought or urge that causes anxiety.
Compulsion is a repetitive behavior or mental act performed to reduce the anxiety caused by the obsession.

In short, obsession is the thought, and compulsion is the action.

2. Explain the characteristics of an attitude in terms of complexity and centrality.

Answer:

Complexity refers to how multifaceted an attitude is, often involving various beliefs, emotions, and thoughts about an object or situation. More complex attitudes are typically shaped by multiple factors and are harder to change.
Centrality indicates how central an attitude is to a person’s belief system or identity. Central attitudes are core to an individual’s values and have a stronger influence on their behavior compared to peripheral attitudes.

3. How does self-fulfilling prophecy help in strengthening prejudices? Give an example to support your answer.

Answer:
A self-fulfilling prophecy occurs when an individual’s expectations about another person or group lead to behaviors that cause those expectations to come true. In the case of prejudice, when people hold biased beliefs about a group, they may treat members of that group in ways that reinforce the negative stereotype. For example, if someone believes that a certain group is not capable of performing well in a task, they may provide less support or opportunities, which leads the group to perform poorly, thus confirming the stereotype.

SECTION B

4. (a) Imran is a forty-year-old male who complains of difficulty in breathing and other body-related symptoms. On being examined, the doctors were unable to find any medical explanation for his reported symptoms. Explain this disorder and discuss its various types.

Answer:
This disorder is likely somatic symptom disorder (formerly known as hypochondriasis or somatization disorder). It involves the experience of physical symptoms that cannot be explained by medical conditions. The individual is excessively concerned with these symptoms, which causes distress and impairment in daily life.
Types of somatic symptom disorders include:

Somatic symptom disorder: Persistent physical symptoms (such as pain or fatigue) without a medical cause.
Illness anxiety disorder: Extreme fear of having a serious illness despite having no symptoms or only mild symptoms.
Conversion disorder: Neurological symptoms (such as paralysis or blindness) without a medical basis, often linked to psychological stress.
Factitious disorder: Intentional production of symptoms to assume the sick role, without external incentives.

(b) Richa is a young girl working as an officer in an organization. One day she just disappeared from the city and after two years she was found on the banks of a river. Nobody there knew who she was and where she had come from. But, one day she suddenly ‘woke up’ and wanted to know how she had reached the banks of the river. Explain this disorder and list the other disorders in the same category.

Answer:
This is a case of dissociative amnesia, a disorder where a person loses memory about important aspects of their life, often related to stressful or traumatic events. In Richa’s case, she may have experienced dissociative fugue, a subtype of dissociative amnesia where individuals unexpectedly travel or wander and lose their memory about their identity.
Other disorders in the dissociative category include:

Dissociative identity disorder (formerly multiple personality disorder): The presence of two or more distinct identities or personality states.
Depersonalization-derealization disorder: A feeling of detachment from one’s body or surroundings, as if observing oneself from outside.

5. Shyam believes that he should be loved by everybody, all the time. Most of his beliefs have a ‘must’ or ‘should’ component. When things don’t go his way, he feels distressed. Suggest a suitable therapy that will make Shyam think deeper into his irrational belief system and help him to feel better.

Answer:
Shyam seems to be experiencing irrational beliefs rooted in cognitive distortions. The therapy best suited to address this would be Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT focuses on identifying and challenging irrational or distorted thoughts and replacing them with more balanced, realistic ones. A key component would be helping Shyam recognize the impact of his “must” and “should” beliefs, and work toward more flexible, self-compassionate thinking patterns.

6. Mary found herself very lonely when she joined a new college, but soon felt at ease when she made friends and became a member of a hobby group. With the help of this example, discuss the conditions that lead to group formation.

Answer:
Group formation is often influenced by several conditions, including:

Proximity: The physical closeness of individuals encourages interaction, as seen with Mary joining a group in her college.
Similarity: People tend to form groups with others who share similar interests, values, or experiences. Mary felt at ease because she found a hobby group that matched her interests.
Reciprocal liking: People are more likely to join and stay in groups where there is mutual respect and affection, which helps in the formation of lasting friendships.
Shared goals or activities: Being part of a group with a common objective or interest helps individuals bond and build a sense of community.

SECTION C

7. (a) Discuss the risk factors associated with suicides. What are the symptoms that help in identifying students in distress? Examine some ways to foster positive self-esteem in students.

Answer:
Risk Factors Associated with Suicides:
Several factors can increase the risk of suicide, including:

Mental health disorders: Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia are strongly linked to suicidal behavior.
Substance abuse: Alcohol or drug dependency can contribute to impulsive suicide attempts.
Previous suicide attempts: A history of previous attempts raises the risk of future suicides.
Family history: A family history of suicide or mental illness may increase the risk.
Social isolation: Loneliness or lack of social support can heighten feelings of hopelessness.
Traumatic life events: Loss of a loved one, bullying, or any significant life trauma can be a trigger.
Access to means: Easy access to lethal means, such as firearms or toxic substances, increases the risk.

Symptoms to Identify Students in Distress:
Students in distress may show:

Changes in behavior: Withdrawal, isolation, or sudden changes in academic performance.
Mood swings: Extreme sadness, irritability, or emotional outbursts.
Physical signs: Fatigue, headaches, stomachaches, or changes in eating and sleeping patterns.
Expressions of hopelessness: Talking about death, worthlessness, or feeling like a burden.
Avoidance of social interactions: Avoiding friends, extracurricular activities, or other social interactions.

Ways to Foster Positive Self-Esteem in Students:

Encourage self-reflection: Help students recognize their strengths and accomplishments.
Provide positive feedback: Offer constructive praise for effort, progress, and achievements.
Promote healthy relationships: Encourage supportive peer interactions and discourage bullying.
Teach coping skills: Equip students with strategies to handle challenges and setbacks.
Set realistic goals: Help students set achievable goals to boost their confidence and sense of success.

(b) What are the characteristics of neurodevelopmental disorders? Describe any three neurodevelopmental disorders.

Answer:
Characteristics of Neurodevelopmental Disorders:
Neurodevelopmental disorders are a group of conditions that primarily involve developmental deficits in areas such as social functioning, communication, and behavior. These disorders usually manifest early in development and can affect learning, memory, or motor skills. Common characteristics include:

Impairment in intellectual functioning: Issues in learning, reasoning, and problem-solving abilities.
Social communication deficits: Difficulties in understanding social cues, initiating or maintaining conversations, and forming relationships.
Repetitive or restricted behaviors: Engaging in repetitive movements or rituals, or showing an intense focus on specific interests.

Three Neurodevelopmental Disorders:

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD):
ASD is characterized by challenges in social communication, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviors. Individuals with ASD may have difficulty interpreting social cues and may engage in repetitive actions or fixations on specific topics. The severity and symptoms vary widely across individuals.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD):
ADHD involves symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. People with ADHD may have trouble staying focused, following instructions, or completing tasks. Hyperactivity and impulsive behaviors, such as interrupting others or being easily distracted, are also common.
Intellectual Disability:
Intellectual disability is marked by limitations in intellectual functioning (e.g., reasoning, problem-solving) and adaptive behavior (e.g., self-care, social skills). It affects the ability to learn and function independently, with varying levels of severity from mild to profound.

8. (a) Describe the process of rehabilitation of the mentally ill in detail.

Answer:
The process of rehabilitation for the mentally ill aims to improve the quality of life of individuals, helping them manage or recover from mental illnesses and reintegrate into society. It involves several key stages:

Diagnosis and Assessment: The first step is a thorough evaluation by healthcare professionals, which includes understanding the nature and severity of the illness, physical and psychological assessments, and identifying any co-occurring conditions.
Treatment and Medication: For many mental illnesses, medications (e.g., antidepressants, antipsychotics) are prescribed to manage symptoms. In conjunction with medication, therapy sessions such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), psychoeducation, or psychodynamic therapy may be implemented to help individuals understand and cope with their symptoms.
Therapeutic Interventions: Alongside pharmacological treatments, therapeutic interventions such as counseling, group therapy, or family therapy help individuals build coping skills, enhance emotional regulation, and improve communication and social relationships.
Social Rehabilitation: This stage focuses on reintegration into society, including helping individuals find employment, improve social skills, and engage in community activities. Vocational training and social support groups play an important role in this stage.
Community Support: Long-term follow-up care is essential for continued support, ensuring individuals maintain stable relationships, job satisfaction, and overall well-being. Support from community services, family, and peer groups is vital for preventing relapse.
Prevention and Relapse Management: Rehabilitation also involves educating patients about recognizing warning signs of relapse and teaching them strategies for managing stress and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

(b) Discuss the various techniques used in behavior therapy to eliminate faulty behaviors.

Answer:
Behavior therapy is based on the idea that all behaviors, including dysfunctional ones, are learned and can be unlearned or modified. The goal is to change maladaptive behaviors through reinforcement, punishment, and other conditioning techniques. Some common techniques include:

Classical Conditioning Techniques:
- Systematic Desensitization: This is used to treat phobias by gradually exposing the patient to the feared object or situation while teaching relaxation techniques to counter the anxiety response.
- Aversive Conditioning: Involves pairing an unpleasant stimulus (such as a mild electric shock) with an undesirable behavior to discourage the behavior (e.g., using it to stop smoking).
Operant Conditioning Techniques:
- Reinforcement: Positive reinforcement (rewards) is used to encourage desired behaviors, while negative reinforcement (removal of an unpleasant stimulus) is used to strengthen desired behaviors.
- Punishment: Positive punishment involves adding an unpleasant stimulus to decrease a behavior (e.g., giving a time-out), and negative punishment involves removing a pleasant stimulus to decrease behavior (e.g., taking away privileges).
Modeling: Involves demonstrating desired behaviors for the individual to imitate. This technique is often used for social skill training.
Token Economy: A system of reinforcement where individuals earn tokens for displaying desirable behaviors, which they can later exchange for rewards or privileges.
Behavioral Rehearsal: Involves practicing new behaviors or social skills in a structured setting (such as role-playing), helping individuals gain confidence in real-life situations.
Contingency Management: A system where behaviors are reinforced based on the occurrence of specific actions, used in situations like substance abuse recovery.

9. Quite often we see people getting themselves photographed while helping others or even when they are offering donations to the needy. Can we identify the attitudes of these people through their behavior? When would there be consistency between attitude and behavior? Explain.

Answer:
Yes, we can sometimes identify the attitudes of individuals based on their behaviors, but it’s important to be cautious about drawing conclusions solely from observable actions. In this case, people taking photographs while helping others may indicate a self-serving bias, where they want to be seen as altruistic or good, which may not reflect their true motivation.

Attitude-Behavior Consistency:
There is consistency between attitude and behavior when an individual’s attitude is strong, specific, and central to their values. For instance, if someone genuinely believes in helping the needy and holds a deep value for charity, their behavior will likely align with this attitude in most situations, even without the need for public recognition.
However, when attitudes are weak or superficial, behavior may not align with those attitudes. This inconsistency can occur due to social pressure, the desire for social approval, or external rewards (like photographs or public recognition).

10. The work given to a group of students, when submitted to her/him, lacked quality as compared to the ones submitted by individual students. What is the reason for this phenomenon and how can it be reduced? Discuss.

Answer:
This phenomenon can be explained by the concept of social loafing, which occurs when individuals put in less effort when working in a group compared to when working alone. In group settings, some members may feel less accountable or believe that others will do the work, leading to a decrease in individual effort.

Ways to reduce social loafing:

Assign Specific Roles and Responsibilities: Clearly define each student’s role and responsibility within the group to ensure everyone contributes.
Promote Accountability: Make individuals accountable for specific parts of the project, so they cannot hide behind the group’s collective output.
Provide Regular Feedback: Give continuous feedback during the project to maintain motivation and correct any lapses in quality early on.
Increase Group Cohesion: Foster a sense of unity and purpose within the group, where each member feels invested in the group’s success.
Peer Evaluations: Implement peer evaluations where group members rate each other’s contributions, which can motivate individuals to perform at their best.

SECTION D

Read the following case study and answer the questions that follow

Sundar, a college-going 20-year-old male, has moved from his hometown to live in a big city. He has continuous fear of insecurity and feels that the enemy soldiers are following him. He gets very tense when he spots anyone in a uniform and feels that they are coming to catch him. This intense anxiety is interfering with his work and relationships, and his friends are extremely concerned as it does not make any sense to them. Sundar occasionally laughs abruptly and inappropriately and sometimes stops speaking mid-sentence, scanning off in the distance as though he sees or hears something. He expresses concern about television and radio in the room potentially being monitored by the enemies. His beliefs are fixed and if they are challenged, his tone becomes hostile.

Questions and Answers:

11. Based on the symptoms being exhibited, identify the disorder. Explain the other symptoms that can be seen in this disorder. (2 marks)

Answer:
Based on the symptoms described, Sundar may be suffering from Paranoid Schizophrenia. This disorder is characterized by intense paranoia, delusions, and hallucinations, which are evident in his fear of being followed by enemy soldiers, and his belief that the television and radio are being monitored by enemies.

Other common symptoms of Paranoid Schizophrenia include:

Persecutory Delusions: Beliefs that others are plotting against the individual (like Sundar believing he is being followed).
Hallucinations: Auditory (hearing voices) or visual (seeing things that are not there) experiences.
Disorganized Thinking: Thought patterns that become disconnected, leading to difficulty in communication (like Sundar stopping mid-sentence).
Inappropriate Affect: Emotional responses that are not in line with the situation, such as laughing abruptly in tense moments.
Negative Symptoms: Reduced emotional expression or withdrawal from social interactions.

12. Define delusion and inappropriate affect. Support it with the symptoms given in the above case study. (2 marks)

Answer:

Delusion: A delusion is a strong belief in something that is clearly false and not supported by reality. It is fixed and resistant to change, even when presented with evidence to the contrary.
Example from the case study: Sundar’s belief that “enemy soldiers are following him” and that the “television and radio are being monitored by the enemies” are examples of persecutory delusions, where he feels that others are trying to harm him, without any real evidence to support it.
Inappropriate Affect: This refers to emotional reactions that are not suited to the situation. For example, laughing at something serious or showing sadness when the situation does not call for it.
Example from the case study: Sundar’s inappropriate affect is seen when he “laughs abruptly and inappropriately” in situations that cause fear or anxiety, which is not appropriate to the circumstances.