CBSE Class 11 Physical Education Chapter 10: Psychology and Sports NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 11 PDF

This chapter, Psychology and Sports, delves into the crucial intersection of psychological principles and athletic performance. It covers fundamental definitions of psychology and sports psychology, explaining how mental aspects influence physical activities. The solutions also explore concepts of growth and development, particularly focusing on the distinct stages of infancy and adolescence, highlighting their unique characteristics and challenges. Key learning theories, including the laws of learning and the concept of transfer of learning (both positive and negative), are explained. The chapter addresses common issues faced during adolescence, providing insights into managing them. These NCERT Solutions are designed to offer clear, concise explanations, aiding students in grasping complex psychological concepts relevant to sports and preparing them for their examinations.

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Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 11
Subject	Physical Education
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	Chapter 10: Psychology and Sports

Chapter summary

Chapter 10, Psychology and Sports, provides an introduction to the psychological factors influencing athletic performance. It defines core terms like psychology, sports psychology, growth, development, and learning. The solutions detail the characteristics of different life stages, such as infancy and adolescence, and explain the fundamental laws and types of transfer of learning. It also touches upon the specific challenges encountered during adolescence, offering a foundational understanding for students of Class 11 Physical Education.

Learning outcomes

Understand the definition and scope of psychology and sports psychology.
Differentiate between growth and development, and identify characteristics of infancy and adolescence.
Explain the fundamental laws of learning.
Define and differentiate between positive and negative transfer of learning.
Identify common problems faced during adolescence.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Psychology
Sports Psychology
Growth
Development
Infancy
Adolescence
Learning
Laws of Learning
Transfer of Learning
Problems of Adolescence

Important topics

Definition of Sports Psychology
Characteristics of Adolescence
Positive and Negative Transfer of Learning
Laws of Learning
Problems of Adolescence

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

Give the definition of Psychology.

Solution: Psychology is fundamentally the scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. It seeks to understand why individuals think, feel, and act the way they do, using systematic observation and experimentation.

Question 2

What do you understand by the term Sports Psychology?

Solution: Sports Psychology is a specialized field that applies psychological principles and techniques to sports and physical activity. Its primary goal is to enhance athletic performance, promote psychological well-being in athletes, and understand the impact of sports on mental health at all skill levels.

Question 3

Define the terms Growth and Development.

Solution: In the context of physical education, Growth refers to the observable, quantitative changes in the body, such as increases in size, height, and weight. Development, on the other hand, is a more comprehensive, qualitative process involving progressive, orderly changes in an individual's abilities, functions, and behaviors over time, leading to increased complexity and maturity.

Question 4

Define Adolescence.

Solution: Adolescence is the transitional phase of human development bridging childhood and adulthood. It is typically characterized by significant physical, psychological, and social changes, often described as a period of intense emotional experiences, sometimes referred to as 'stress and strain, storm and strife.' It marks the journey from dependency to independence.

Question 5

Which type of physical activities can be played in early childhood?

Solution: During early childhood, physical activities should be simple and not overly strenuous, as children's physical capacities are still developing. Introducing fundamental movements and basic skills of various games and sports in a playful manner is appropriate for this age group.

Question 6

Which type of physical activities can be played during adolescence?

Solution: Adolescence is a period where individuals can engage in a wide range of physical activities. This includes team sports (like basketball, football), individual sports (like tennis, athletics), gymnastics, swimming, and other dynamic activities such as floor dancing, catering to their developing physical and social skills.

Question 7

What do you understand by learning?

Solution: Learning, in its broadest sense, is the process by which an individual's behavior is organized or modified in response to the demands of a task or environment. It involves acquiring new knowledge, skills, attitudes, or behaviors through experience, study, or instruction.

Question 8

Mention two laws of learning.

Solution: Two fundamental categories of learning laws are:

Primary Laws of Learning: These are the most important laws, directly influencing learning (e.g., Law of Effect, Law of Readiness, Law of Exercise).
Secondary Laws of Learning: These are subsidiary laws that support or modify the primary laws (e.g., Law of Multiple Response, Law of Attitude, Law of Associative Shifting).

Question 9

Define Transfer of learning.

Solution: Transfer of learning occurs when knowledge, skills, or attitudes acquired in one situation influence or affect learning and performance in a different situation. It describes how prior learning experiences can either help or hinder new learning.

Question 10

What is positive transfer of learning?

Solution: Positive transfer of learning happens when previous learning or training enhances or improves the performance of a new, related skill or task. For example, learning to ride a bicycle might positively transfer to learning to ride a motorcycle.

Question 11

What is negative transfer of learning?

Solution: Negative transfer of learning occurs when previous learning interferes with or makes it more difficult to learn or perform a new skill or task. An example could be a tennis player finding it difficult to learn badminton due to ingrained tennis techniques.

Question 14

Write a note on Infancy.

Solution: Infancy, the earliest stage of human development, is characterized by rapid physical growth and development. During this period, an infant significantly increases in weight and height. Alongside physical maturation, cognitive development also begins, laying the foundation for future learning and interaction with the environment.

Question 15

Enlist the problems of adolescence.

Solution: Adolescence presents several common challenges, including:

Aggressive and violent behavior
Various physical problems related to rapid growth and hormonal changes
Difficulty in concentration, affecting studies and activities
Increased attraction towards the opposite sex, leading to emotional complexities

Common mistakes

Confusing growth with development.
Not clearly distinguishing between positive and negative transfer of learning.
Overlooking the specific psychological and physical challenges of adolescence.

Revision tips

Focus on understanding the core definitions of psychology and sports psychology.
Create a timeline to remember the key characteristics of infancy and adolescence.
Use examples to differentiate between positive and negative transfer of learning.
Review the problems of adolescence and potential coping strategies.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What is the primary focus of Sports Psychology?

Q2. Which stage is characterized by 'stress and strain, storm and strife'?

Q3. When does learning a new skill make learning a subsequent skill more difficult?

Q4. Which of the following is NOT listed as a problem of adolescence in the text?

Q5. What does 'growth' primarily refer to in physical education?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main goal of Sports Psychology?

Sports Psychology aims to apply psychological principles to improve athletic performance, enhance well-being, and understand the mental aspects of sports and physical activities.

How is adolescence defined in the context of sports?

Adolescence is defined as a period of significant physical, emotional, and psychological change, often marked by 'stress and strain, storm and strife,' influencing an individual's engagement with sports.

What is the difference between positive and negative transfer of learning?

Positive transfer occurs when previous learning helps in learning a new skill, leading to improvement. Negative transfer happens when previous learning hinders or makes learning a new skill more difficult.

What are some common issues faced by adolescents related to sports?

Common problems include aggressive behavior, physical challenges, lack of concentration, and emotional responses related to attraction, all of which can impact sports participation and performance.

How do the laws of learning apply to sports?

The laws of learning, such as primary and secondary laws, explain how athletes acquire new skills, adapt to training, and improve performance based on practice and experience.

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