Please refer to Variations in Psychological Attributes Class 12 Psychology Important Questions given below. These solved questions for Variations in Psychological Attributes have been prepared based on the latest CBSE, NCERT and KVS syllabus and books issued for the current academic year. We have provided important examination questions for Class 12 Psychology all chapters.
Class 12 Psychology Variations in Psychological Attributes Important Questions
Very Short Answer Questions
Question. Explain the psychometric approach to understand intelligence. State two theories based on this approach.
Ans. Psychometric approach to intelligence expresses the individual’s performance in terms of a single index of cognitive abilities. For example, Binet’s Uni or one-factor theory of intelligence, Charles Spearman’s two-factor theory are theories based on this approach.
Question. What are values?
Ans. Values are enduring beliefs about an ideal mode of behaviour. For example, values of a person may be political, religious, social or economic.
Question. What is a psychological test?
Ans. A psychological test is an objective and standardized measure of an individual’s mental or behavioural characteristics. For example, psychological tests measure psychological attributes such as intelligence, aptitude, personality, etc.
Question. Define aptitude.
Ans. Aptitude is an individual’s capacity to acquire some specific knowledge or skill after training. For example, a person with high Mechanical Aptitude will be a successful Mechanical Engineer. Or, a person good in drawing and fine arts can become a good professional artist. Or, a person with high Verbal Ability can be trained to be a good writer.
Question. Describe the Two-factor Theory of Intelligence.
Ans. Charles Spearman proposed intelligence as consisting of a general factor called g-factor and some specific factors called s-factors. The g-factor includes mental operations which are primary and common to all performances. S-factors are specific abilities like those possessed by excellent singers, architects, scientists and athletes.
Question. Describe the Structure-of-Intellect Model of Intelligence.
Ans. J. P. Guilford proposed the Structure-of-Intellect model of Intelligence which classified intellectual traits among 3 dimensions: operations, contents and products. Operations are what the respondent does. Contents refer to the nature of materials or information on which intellectual operations are performed while products refer to the form in which information is processed by the respondents.
Question. Define interest.
Ans. Interest is a preference for a particular activity. For example, a person can have a strong interest in mathematics or science.
Question. What is a case study?
Ans. A case-study is an in-depth study of an individual in terms of his psychological attributes,psychological history in the context of his physical and psycho-social environment. It is used by clinical psychologists. A case analysis of great people is an example. Case studies are based on data generated by different methods such as interview, observation, questionnaire, psychological tests, etc.
Question. Define intelligence.
Ans. According to Wechsler, intelligence is defined as the global and aggregate capacity of an individual to think rationally, act purposefully and deal effectively with the environment.
Question. Differentiate between psychometric and information processing approaches to intelligence.
Ans. Psychometric approach to intelligence expresses the individual’s performance in terms of a single index of cognitive abilities. For example, Binet’s Uni or one-factor theory of intelligence. Information processing approach describes the processes people use in intellectual reasoning and problem solving. For example, Howard Gardner’s theory of Multiple Intelligence.
Short Answer Questions
Question. State the characteristics of emotionally intelligent people.
Ans. Emotionally intelligent persons have the following characteristics.
(i) They are sensitive to their feelings and emotions.
(ii) They are sensitive to various types of emotions in others by noting their body language, voice and tone and facial expressions.
(iii) They relate their emotions to their thoughts which play an important role while solving problems and taking decisions.
(iv) They understand the powerful influence of the nature and intensity of their emotions.
(v) They control and regulate their emotions and their expressions while dealing with self and others to achieve harmony and peace.
Question. Explain componential intelligence with examples.
Componential Intelligence: Componential or analytical intelligence by Robert Sternberg is the analysis of information to solve problems. It has 3 components:
(i) Knowledge Acquisition Component: This is responsible for learning and acquisition of the ways of doing things.
(ii) Meta Component: This involves planning what to do and how to do.
(iii) Performance Component: This involves actually doing things.
For example, while studying mathematics, we gather information about the formula to solve the problem, plan out the steps and then actually solve the sum.
Question. Differentiate between individual and group tests.
Ans. Based on their administration procedure they can be categorized as individual and group tests:
(i) Individual tests are administered to one person at a time while group tests are administered to several persons.
(ii) In individual tests the test administrator establishes a rapport with the subject and is sensitive to his/her feelings, moods and expressions during the testing session while in group tests the tester is not familiar with the subjects’ feelings.
(iii) In individual tests people answer in oral or written form while in group tests they answer in multiple-choice format.
(iv) Example of Individual test: Draw a Man Test by Pramila Pathak, WAIS, WISSC,Alexander Pass along.
Example of Group test: Group test of Intelligence by S. Jalota.
Question. Differentiate between verbal, non-verbal and performance tests.
Ans. On the basis of the nature of items used, IQ tests are classified into Verbal, Non-verbal or Performance tests – Verbal tests require subjects to give verbal responses either orally
or in a written form they can be administered only to literate people. E.g. Binet-Simon IQ test. In non-verbal tests the subject has to complete a pattern in some picture or
illustration. These reduce cultural biases. E.g. Standard Raven’s Progressive Matrices (RPM). Performance tests require subjects to manipulate objects such as wooden blocks to perform a task. Written language is not required for answering the items as well as can be administered to persons from different cultures. E.g. Koh’s Block design.
Question. Explain Emotional Intelligence. State any two characteristics of emotionally intelligent people.
Ans. Emotional Intelligence is a set of skills that underlie accurate appraisal, expression and regulation of emotions. It is the ability to monitor one’s own and others emotions,
to discriminate among them and to use the information to guide one’s thinking and actions.
Emotionally Intelligent Persons Characteristics (Write any two)
(i) Are sensitive to their feelings and emotions.
(ii) Are sensitive to various types of emotions in others by noting their body language, voice and tone and facial expressions.
(iii) Relate their emotions to their thoughts which play an important role while solving problems and taking decisions.
(iv) Understand the powerful influence of the nature and intensity of their emotions.
(v) Control and regulate their emotions and their expressions while dealing with self and others to achieve harmony and peace.
Question. State Gardner’s eight types of intelligences. Describe any one with the help of examples.
OR
Mention Multiple Intelligences as suggested by Gardner. Explain logical mathematical intelligence.
Ans. Howard Gardner described eight types of intelligence. They are as follows:
(i) Linguistic
(ii) Logical-Mathematical
(iii) Spatial
(iv) Musical
(v) Bodily-Kinaesthetic
(vi) Interpersonal
(vii) Intrapersonal
(viii) Naturalistic
(i) Linguistic: It is the capacity to use language fluently and be sensitive to different shades of word meanings. This involves using language fluently and flexibly. Persons high on this intelligence are ‘word-smart’. Poets and writers are strong in this component of intelligence.
(ii) Logical-Mathematical: This involves skills in scientific thinking and problem solving.People high on this type of intelligence can think logically and critically. They engage in abstract reasoning and can manipulate symbols to solve mathematical problems.Scientists and Nobel Prize winners are strong in this component.
(iii) Spatial: It refers to the abilities involved in forming, using and transforming mental images. Pilots, sailors, sculptures, painters, architects, interior decorators and surgeons are high in this type of intelligence.
(iv) Musical: It is the capacity to produce, create and manipulate musical patterns. Persons high on this intelligence are sensitive to sounds and vibrations and in creating new
patterns of sounds and rhythms.
(v) Bodily-Kinaesthetic: This involves using body flexibly and creatively. Athletes,dancers, actors, sportsperson, gymnasts and surgeons are high in this intelligence.
(vi) Interpersonal: This is the skill of understanding the motives, feelings and behaviours of other people so as to bond into a comfortable relationship with others. Psychologists, counselors, social workers, religious leaders are high on this component.
(vii) Intrapersonal: This refers to the knowledge of one’s internal strengths and limitations and awareness of one’s own feelings, motives and desires. This relates to human existence and finding meaning in one’s life. Philosophers and spiritual leaders are high on this intelligence.
(viii) Naturalistic: This is recognizing the beauty of flora and fauna. Hunters, farmers,tourists, botanists, zoologists, bird watchers are high on this component. (Explain any one.)
Long Answer Questions
Question. Explain briefly the multiple intelligences identified by Gardner.
Ans. Gardner in his theory of Multiple Intelligences described 8 types of intelligence:
Howard Gardner proposed the theory of Multiple Intelligences. According to him, intelligence is not a single entity but distinct types of intelligences exist. Each of these intelligences are independent of each other which means that if a person exhibits one type of intelligence, it does not necessarily indicate being high or low on other types of intelligences. He described 8 types of intelligence. They are as follows:
(i) Linguistic: It is the capacity to use language fluently and be sensitive to different shades of word meanings. This involves using language fluently and flexibly. Persons high on this intelligence are ‘word-smart’. Poets and writers are strong in this component of intelligence.
(ii) Logical-Mathematical: This involves skills in scientific thinking and problem solving. People high on this type of intelligence can think logically and critically. They engage in abstract reasoning and can manipulate symbols to solve mathematical problems. Scientists and Nobel Prize winners are strong in this component.
(iii) Spatial: It refers to the abilities involved in forming, using and transforming mental images. Pilots, sailors, sculptures, painters, architects, interior decorators and surgeons
are high in this type of intelligence.
(iv) Musical: It is the capacity to produce, create and manipulate musical patterns. Persons high on this intelligence are sensitive to sounds and vibrations and in creating new patterns of sounds and rhythms.
(v) Bodily-Kinaesthetic: This involves using body flexibly and creatively. Athletes,dancers, actors, sportsperson, gymnasts and surgeons are high in this intelligence.
(vi) Interpersonal: This is the skill of understanding the motives, feelings and behaviours of other people so as to bond into a comfortable relationship with others. Psychologists, counselors, social workers, religious leaders are high on this component.
(vii) Intrapersonal: This refers to the knowledge of one’s internal strengths and limitations and awareness of one’s own feelings, motives and desires. This relates to human existence and finding meaning in one’s life. Philosophers and spiritual leaders are high on this intelligence.
(viii) Naturalistic:This is recognizing the beauty of flora and fauna. Hunters, farmers,tourists, botanists, zoologists, bird watchers are high on this component.
Question. How does the Triarchic theory help us to understand intelligence?
Ans. Robert Sternberg proposed the Triarchic theory of intelligence. He views intelligence as the ability to adapt, to shape and select environment to accomplish one’s goals and those of one’s society and culture. Sternberg proposed the following three types of intelligence:
(a) Componential or Analytical Intelligence: Componential or analytical intelligence is
the analysis of information to solve novel problems. It has 3 components:
(i) Knowledge acquisition component which is responsible for learning and acquisition of the ways of doing things.
(ii) Meta component which involves planning what to do and how to do.
(iii) Performance component which involves actually doing things.
(b) Experiential or Creative Intelligence: This specifies how experiences affect intelligence and how intelligence affects a person’s experiences.
(c) Contextual or Practical Intelligence: This involves adapting to the present environment or selecting a more favourable environment than the existing one or modifying the environment to fit one’s needs. People high on this intelligence are called ‘street smart’.
Question. “Any intellectual activity involves the independent functioning of three neurological systems”. Explain with reference to PASS model.
Ans. According to the model developed by J. P. Das, Jack Naglieri and Kirby, intellectual activity involves 3 functional units of brain namely,P-Planning, A-Arousal/Attention, S-Simultaneous processing, S-Successive processing:
(a) Arousal/Attention: An optimal level of arousal focuses our attention to the relevant aspects of a problem. Too much or too little arousal would interfere with attention.
(b) Simultaneous and Successive Processing: Information is integrated into our knowledge system simultaneously or successively. In simultaneous processing relations among various concepts is integrated into a meaningful pattern for comprehension.
For example, grasping the meaning and relationship between abstract figures in Raven’s Progressive Matrices.
Successive processing takes place when you remember all the information serially so that recall of one leads to the recall of another. Learning of digits, alphabets,multiplication tables are examples of successive processing.
(c) Planning: After the information is attended to and processed, planning is activated.
For example, planning a time schedule of study by giving more time or studying with a friend.
Question. Are there cultural differences in the conceptualisation of intelligence?
Ans. Depending upon the extent to which an intelligence test favours one culture over another, intelligence tests are classified as Culture-Fair or Culture-Biased tests. Culturefair tests are fair to a particular culture such as Non-verbal or Performance tests while culture-biased tests show a bias to the culture in which they are developed. E.g. Tests based on norms of urban society are culture-fair for urban society while culture-biased for rural society. Similarly, tests made for western societies are culture-biased for Indian societies.
Question. What is the meaning of assessment? Explain the methods used for psychological assessment.
OR
What is the meaning of assessment? Describe the key features of any two methods used for psychological assessment.
Ans. Assessment refers to the measurement of psychological attributes of individuals and their evaluation, often using multiple methods in terms of certain standards of comparison. For example, intellectual ability of a slow learner in a class would require testing intelligence. Formal assessment is objective, standardized and organized while informal assessment varies from case to case and from one assessor to another and is open to subjective interpretations.
The methods of assessment are:
Psychological test: A psychological test is an objective and standardized measure of an individual’s mental or behavioural characteristics. For example, psychological tests measure psychological attributes such as intelligence, aptitude, personality, etc.
Interview: Interview is a face-to-face interaction between two people. For example,an interview between a doctor and a patient, a salesman and a customer, employee selection by an employer.
Case-study: A case-study is an in-depth study of an individual in terms of his psychological attributes, psychological history in the context of his physical and psycho-social environment. It is used by clinical psychologists. A case analysis of great people is an example. Case-studies are based on data generated by different methods such as interview, observation, questionnaire, psychological tests etc.
Observation: Observation involves employing systematic, organized and objective procedures to record behavior in a natural situation. For example, observing motherchild interactions.
Self-report: Self-report is a method in which a person provides factual information about himself or herself or beliefs and opinions which he or she holds. For example,Eysenck Personality Questionnaire.
